(Reuters) - Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and 305 yards as the ever-improving Denver Broncos smashed the visiting New Orleans Saints 34-14 on Sunday.

A red-hot Manning outclassed Drew Brees in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIV where New Orleans beat Manning's former team Indianapolis.

It was no contest between the quarterbacks this time as Brees was limited to a season-low 213 yards and two scores while the Broncos amassed 530 yards of offence.

Under Manning's leadership in his first season with Denver, the Broncos (4-3) are surging having won three of their last four to take a one-game lead in the AFC West Division.

With the defense swarming and the offence clicking, the home team seized a 17-7 halftime lead on the Saints (2-5) before punctuating the victory in the second half.

Manning finished a long second-half opening drive with a one-yard TD to Demaryius Thomas to make it 24-7 in the third quarter as the Broncos cruised home.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles. Editing by Patrick Johnston)