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Peyton Manning counts himself fortunate. Consider his team furious.

Manning acknowledged he was "probably a little bit lucky" that he banged the right thumbnail and not the knuckle of his throwing hand on New Orleans defensive end Martez Wilson's helmet Sunday night.

It's what happened a split-second later that has the Broncos miffed.

The crown of Wilson's helmet smacked into Manning's chin, a play the Broncos are expected to have the league look at this week.

Although no flag was thrown, it was similar to the illegal hit last month that cost Broncos linebacker Joe Mays a $50,000 fine and a one-game suspension for blasting Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

"It'll be something we look at and get the TV copy," Broncos coach John Fox said Monday. "We haven't done all that yet. And I'm not really able to comment on what we turn into the league and what we don't, but that's one we'll look at closely."

In all likelihood, so will the NFL and the result could be a hefty fine for Wilson.

Meanwhile, Mays is out for the season after he fractured the fibula just above his left ankle while blocking for punt returner Trindon Holliday in the fourth quarter Sunday night when a Saints player inadvertently leg-whipped him.

Bills' Williams upbeat after wrist surgery

The surgery Mario Williams had to fix his sprained left wrist appears to have also done plenty in repairing the Buffalo Bills' high-priced defensive end's self-confidence.

Williams was in an upbeat mood Monday in discussing how much better he felt physically and mentally six days after having arthroscopic surgery in Alabama.

"Nobody wants me to do better than me. So definitely, with this procedure, it's definitely given me a lot of hope and a different mindset," he said.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Williams has managed just 31/2 sacks this season.