Tom Brady.
Peyton Manning.
When it comes to these two greats, there isn’t much more to say.
While the two are getting towards the tail end of their respected Hall of Fame careers, it is still a sight to see the two legends take the field; which is exactly what is happening this Sunday afternoon at Mile High Stadium with a trip to Super Bowl 50 on the line.
Who knows; this match up could be the last between the two quarterbacks ever.
It is the 17th meeting between the two, with Brady holding a 11-5 advantage.
They have also met four times in the post season, splitting the series two games a piece.
This match up has a different feel than years past.
Manning is a shell of his former self.
He is still the fighter he has always been, working hard to get back into the line up after missing seven weeks due to a tear in the plantar fascia near his left heel.
Father time might finally be catching up with him.
This year he threw for just 2,249 yards with nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 10 games played.
The interception total was his highest amount since 2010.
If I was a betting man, I’d say this might be it for the 18-year veteran, who turns 40 in March.
What better way to go out than with a Lombardi Trophy to ride off into the sunset with?
“I really tried to take it one week at a time and stay in the moment,” Manning said Wednesday, per NFL.com. “Try not to get too far ahead. Try not to assume any type of finality or any type of ‘hey this is what’s going to happen in three weeks or four weeks.’ I truly followed the old cliché ‘one week at a time’ and tried to stay patient. And I think that served me well, because there is no question a lot has happened this season. It’s been very different for me more than any other season than I’ve played in 18 years. So I’m staying patient, taking it slow, one week at a time, that has certainly helped me.”
On the other side of the field is the usual AFC champion and constant torn in Peyton’s side, Tom Brady.
With this most recent trip, the Patriots have now made five-straight AFC championship games.
Fresh off a 28 for 42, 302 yard, two touchdown performance against one of the best defenses in football last weekend in their victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, it doesn’t look like Brady is going to slow down anytime soon.
Unlike years past it isn’t so much about Peyton vs. Brady anymore.
The two are on different career tracks.
Manning is on the decline; Brady is still at the top of his game.
While Manning struggled with injuries through the year, Brady led on of the best offenses in football in his 16th season.
The Patriots finished 3rd in points scored (29.1), 6th in total offense (374.4 yards per game), and fifth in passing (286.7 yards per game).
Even at the age of 38, Brady posted one of the better seasons in his career finishing with 4,770 yards, 36 touchdowns, just seven interceptions and a quarterback rating of 102.2.
While Brady is still going to throw the ball 40-50 times in this game, Manning on the other hand will rely more on his rushing attack with C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman and the strong defensive play of the Broncos.
Manning is turning from former gun-slinger to game manager.
And if the Broncos want to advance, it is all they are looking for out of him.
Entering the post season, the Broncos, like the Chiefs, were one of the best defenses in football.
Denver allowed just 18.5 points per game (4th), 283.1 total yards (1st), 199.6 passing yards (1st) and 83.6 rushing yards (3rd).
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did have success last weekend in throwing for 339 yards without his top-target and one of, if not the best receivers in the game in Antonio Brown.
If the Broncos are looking to move on for a shot at a title, a stronger game is needed out of their defensive unit.
Denver is going to need to get pressure on Brady and move him off of his spot in the pocket or it could be a long afternoon for their secondary.
The Patriots have recorded a NFL-record 22 wins in the postseason under Head Coach Bill Belichick.
The teams that have beaten them have accomplished three things per ESPN Stats and Info:
1. Win the turnover battle
2. Win the time of possession battle, and
3. Win the field position battle
None of that is in the Broncos favor heading into this one.
S0 while it might be Brady vs. Manning in the headlines, both quarterbacks are going to need complete games from their team in order to get a chance at another Super Bowl trophy.
Brady is still going to be throwing the ball all over the place but will need some help from his defense to keep the Broncos in check.
The thing is though, no one will care if Manning is nearing the end if the Broncos get him another chance to lead a late drive and ends it with a touchdown.
Just like he did last week against the Steelers.
And the Patriots know that.
While his game might not be what it was, the respect that Brady and the Patriots have for Manning is expected.
“He’s an incredible player, an incredible leader for his team,” Brady said Wednesday, per ESPN. “He’s a great passer. He’s so accurate, throws on time, knows where everybody on the field is, offensively and defensively. He knows how to look defenders off and put the ball in the right location so those guys can catch and run with it. I think he’s just a great pocket passer.”
“I think playing someone 17 times is pretty cool,” Brady said. “Especially someone as great as him; to play against those Peyton Manning-led teams, you know you have to play 60 minutes and you’re going to be in for a tough game.”
“There is no player off our team that I have any more respect for than Peyton Manning,” added Belichick. “His preparation, his consistency, his skills; I would never, ever, ever underestimate him under any circumstance.”
Prediction: I don’t see the storybook ending in this one for Manning and the Broncos. Despite being 2-0 against New England in AFC Championship games at home, this isn’t the Manning of the past. While it won’t come easy at first, eventually Brady and the Patriots are going to find their groove on offense and win this game 31-21.
