It will be remembered as the greatest quarterback rivalry in NFL history.
It boasts more post-season promise than Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas, more regular season fireworks than Dan Marino and Joe Montana and more longevity than Steve Young and Troy Aikman.
It has featured two of the NFL’s greatest players duelling it out at the peak of their powers almost every year since 2000.
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady met for the 16th time on Sunday, etching another chapter of their epic rivalry into the history books. The Patriots won comfortably 43-21 and Brady was superb, throwing four touchdowns and more than 300 yards.
The win gave Brady a 9-3 regular-season record against his old foe, ensuring he would retire with a rare individual achievement – the upper-hand head-to-head against one of the NFL’s best.
In the lead-up to the game an age-old debate reignited again. It was discussed on social media, in newspapers and on blogs, argued in bars and restaurants. Who is the better player, Peyton or Tom? And who would you rather have quarterbacking your team?
Brady has got the rings, Manning the records, right? That’s what fence-sitters will say. Brady detractors will remind you his last championship was 10 years ago and even then he had the help of that great Patriots defence. Whereas if you find a Brady fan they will be quick to tell you Manning can’t get it done in the post-season or that he plays lousy in cold weather.
You can make a case for and against either quarterback. The fact is both are among the top five signal callers of all-time. Both have enjoyed incredibly durable and efficient careers. Both have been named league MVP, made All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams and won Super Bowls. And both have only a few seasons left to win another.
Manning is 38 and Brady 37. So the debate about who is better aside, let’s examine who has the better chance of going out on top and winning another title before they retire.
Manning and Brady have both spent their careers in the AFC, meaning NFL fans have been robbed of the chance of watching the pair duel it out in a Super Bowl. But they have met in the post-season four times, splitting the games 2-2. The year Manning won his maiden Super Bowl title his Colts beat the Patriots 38-34 in the AFC Championship game, while Brady and the Patriots eliminated the Colts in both 2003 and 2004 on their way to back-to-back titles.
But now in the twilight of their respective careers, it is likely that only one of them will win another title before they retire. Both franchises know their ageing superstars have only a few seasons left, but the Patriots and Broncos have approached these final years very differently.
The Broncos’ current roster has been engineered to win a Super Bowl. And win one sooner rather than later. John Elway knew when Manning chose Denver in free agency in 2011 that they had only a small window of opportunity for success. Since then the Broncos have added talent around Manning, signing high profile free agents Wes Welker, Emmanuel Sanders, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and TJ Ward.
The Broncos have been a success with Manning under centre, going 13-3 in his first two seasons before losing in the Divisional Playoffs and the Super Bowl. But consistency is not what the Broncos are after. They are not building to anything. They are trying to win a Super Bowl right now. If Denver had won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seahawks then Manning may have hung up the cleats.
While Denver have employed the boom or bust approach, the Patriots could fool some into thinking Tom Brady has got another 10 years left in the league. They appear in no rush to win another title. Coach Bill Belichick constantly trims the fat on their roster and only occasionally takes a plunge into free agency, preferring instead for his squad to apply a workmanlike approach to winning games. But every season they are thereabouts when the playoffs roll around.
The next season or two will be pivotal to how each of the quarterbacks are remembered and how they are compared. If Brady wins another title then he will have four to Manning’s one. Which may be enough to elevate him above his adversary in some people’s minds.
If Manning leads the Broncos to a title he will become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two franchises. It’s no easy feat, but one that is not beyond Manning. He has the team to do it and the remaining schedule for both teams should mean the Broncos finish with the best record in the AFC.
That will mean all roads to the Super Bowl go through Denver. A mountain the Patriots might find too hard to climb. The NFC has been a mixed bag this season, with the Cardinals (7-1), Eagles (6-2) and Lions (6-2) the best of the bunch.
If the Cardinals qualify then they will effectively have a home Super Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Either way it is hard to see any of these teams matching it with a determined Manning and an improving Broncos defence.
If Manning doesn’t win one this year he could more than likely return again in 2015. He is playing well enough and still has a few more of Brett Favre’s records to cross off his list. He is also relentless and a perfectionist. I wouldn’t back against him. Either way Tom and Peyton are due for at least one more showdown.
mushi
Guest
Wow you couldn't follow something dumbed down into little bite size peices? Most important doesn't necessarily equal solely responsible (or even largely responsible) when you've got a large group of people contributing. But thanks for reinforcing that you need to fall back on tired disproven cliches because you are incapable of actual analysis. Like I said - Skip Bayless thinking. the only thing "definite" here is the lack of thought behind your position.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
I don't know what your little statistical rant meant, but the QB is the most important player on the field. He leads his team, and great leaders can achieve success consistently. Peyton only has led his team to 1 Super Bowl ring. Therefore, he is definitely not the greatest of all time, and is certainly not a Top 10 caliber QB. Thanks for playing.
RDG
Guest
not to mention all the blow out games where most teams take out their starting QB's and players and give the back ups a go. Not the case for manning he stays in and boosts his stats which will one day bite him in his old ass.
Cameron Palmer
Roar Guru
Hi Sam, Any thoughts on whether this Brady vs Manning debate could be revisited in 15 years time with Russel Wilson playing the role of Brady and Andrew Luck playing the role of Manning? Different scenarioes of course, but I can't help the feeling that Wilson might end up with three or four rings with weaker numbers and Luck will have all timer numbers but only one ring.
mushi
Guest
“Surely if he was the best QB of all time he would have multiple Super Bowl rings?” This is Skip Bayless thinking. To put the onus on a single player in a sport where he only plays just under half the time and has 21 other guys on the field helping or hindering doesn’t make any sense. This is before going in the risks of using the NFL playoff system (the worst for rewarding the “best” team that I can think of in modern professional sports) as a proxy for “best team”, let alone the best QB (which is what you are doing). So if you did a simple bit of analysis of assigned credit blame just for your own team. Give special teams about 5% (seems about the right level looking at football outsiders). Coaching is more important than any player group but I’ll put that view to one side and say any group other than QB’s. So if we say defence is half of what is left (not exactly controversial) and split that evenly across the three groups (even though your Line is typically slightly more important than coverage and containment but I’m deliberately keeping coaching low) coaching is then 14% and the defensive areas each 13.5%. Now the o Line has to be at least 50% as responsible as the QB right (I would argue vehemently they are worth equal to as a group when you look at analysis for passing under pressure and running with good or bad blocking which suggest the biggest difference for your offence is what players can do when their line allows them to do it.). If we then put skill positions at let’s say half of their defensive counterparts (as the QB comes into play for them) that puts the QB at about 22.5%. So if we massively down play coaching and offensive line play the QB is still only just above 20% of your overall contribution, still massively above any other individuals, but given the sheer number of players, but not enough to simply judge them on the teams overall performance on the performance of the over all. In my view (as in recognising the importance of the line battle and coaching) puts the QB at ~15%
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
If Peyton wins another SB, I'd definitely put him in the Top 10, probably around the 6-8 range as you said. You're right about Cool Joe - the greatest QB of all time.
Distant Knight
Guest
Fair list there Jason. I'd probably have Peyton in there around the 6-8 range, Brady is about where he should be, and the GOAT sitting proudly at the top of the list. Montana will take some beating for mine. If someone comes along and wins 5 out of 5 SB starts maybe...
Steve
Guest
While comparing the two as closely as is so often done is good for an argument between fans, ultimately (like in any such comparison) there are too many 'what ifs'. What if manning had the pats defence of the early 2000's (would he own more Super Bowl rings?), what if Brady had played at franchise with a domed stadium etc (would he have more passing yards and completions?). my personal view is that stats, records and MVPs are great achievements and make you a great player. but like in any sport it's winning that counts the most. In my mind, 1 more Super Bowl ring for either probably settles the arguemrnt. Manning with 2 and all those records vs 3 for Brady, I'll take manning. Brady with 4 and manning with 1...well, you can keep your records, the contest is over!
Sam Rigney
Expert
No to mention five MVPs.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
People go on and on and on about his stats... he's the leader in this, he's the leader in that... how many Super Bowl wins has he led his team to? Truly great leaders have the talent to lead their team to success consistently, much like Tom Brady has. Why, if Peyton is the god of all QB's like everybody claims he is, does he only have 1 SB ring to his name? Surely if he was the best QB of all time he would have multiple Super Bowl rings? My Top 10 QB's (in order) are: Joe Montana Otto Graham Tom Brady Steve Young Troy Aikman John Elway Terry Bradshaw Roger Staubach Bart Starr Bob Griese I'd have to throw some honorable mentions in there too: guys like Johnny Unitas, Sammy Baugh, Dan Marino and Brett Favre. Peyton would get an honorable mention too.
astro
Guest
Peyton Manning isn't a top ten QB? Really? Being the all-time leader in career touchdown passes, doesn't mean anything? I'd love to see who are the 10 or more guys you would put ahead of Manning...
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
I agreed with everything except your last statement, Marc. Peyton is a great individual player, and can set lots of nice records, but can't do anything in the playoffs (1 Super Bowl, wow..). Brady, on the other hand, can come from being drafted in the 6th round to being one of the greatest of all time. 3x SB champ. 2x SB MVP. 5x AFC Champion. 2x MVP. 9x Pro Bowl. 5x All-Pro. 5x Offensive Player of the Year (NFC and NFL). Brady has the drive and the determination to lead his team to the promised land, and he's done it 5 times, winning 3 of them. That's some pretty special talent right there, especially for a 199th draft choice. Brady is 3rd best QB of all time IMO. Peyton doesn't even crack the top 10.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Peyton and The Golden Boy would be great in any era.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Huge call that one, Manning and Brady will be considered sure fire top 5-10 QB's of all time.
Ash
Guest
Despite the change in the rules, you still have to applaud Peyton's regular season consistency and Brady's clutch SB performances. But certainly Elway is right up there especially considering he lost on his first three tries: enough to demoralise any QB.
Marc
Guest
The greatest rivalry was in the Montana/Marino/Elway days. Brady and Manning don't hold a candle to guys in that generation. They changed the rules to make the game more attractive and pass friendly. Back in the earlier era nobody had a passer rating over 100. Now they all do! A bit of pressure in the superbowl and Manning choked. Sorry but neither Manning nor Brady with all their weapons, pass friendly rule changes, and loaded offensive team should be in the top 8 at least of the greatest of all time.
Steve
Guest
Agree Worlds Biggest, assuming no major injuries, home field advantage will be the major factor in the AFC this year. Denver and New England are both very hard to beat at home and assuming (for the moment) they meet in the conference championshop, whoever is paying at home will start favouite. I think the Pats are a much stronger team this season and expect they'll really push Denver in the AFC. They're much better on both sides of the ball in comparison to last year. Denver are still the benchmark though and have a nicer run, on paper at least, into the playoffs. I expect they'll take the no 1 seed.
JGK
Roar Guru
If you add the other Manning then there is no contest.
Sam Rigney
Expert
Thanks for the correction. I'll change that to QB. I checked that website and some of their information is wrong. Some of those players didn't win Super Bowls and particularly Rutledge and Earl Morrall were either back-ups or didn't play in those Super Bowl wins. Here is a story from before last year's Super Bowl re Manning becoming just the third quarterback to lead two franchises to the big game. It says none of the others had won two. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-confidential-peyton-eyes-double-team-article-1.1598897
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Whomever gets home field advantage in the AFC will make it to the Big Dance and win it all. The NFC isn't as strong overall this year. If the Broncos go all the way I hope Manning retires. Brady has said he will keep playing until he is 40. He would be desperate to win that fourth ring and join Montana and Bradshaw. Hard to believe it has been 10 years since Brady last won a ring.