Patriots and Colts Meet Again

Patriots v. Colts. Yeah, it's going to be a fun week. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will meet this Sunday at Gillette Stadium for the 12th time in their careers. When the two greatest quarterbacks of a generation square off, it leads to comparisons. While you already know where I stand on the Brady-Manning argument, you can look at the numbers to make your own judgement. Career Record: Brady is 104-32 (.765 winning percentage) and Manning is 137-64 (.681 winning percentage). Brady is 5-3 against Manning in the regular season. Career Playoff Record: Brady is 14-4 and has led the Patriots to four AFC Championships and victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX. Manning is 9-9 and has led the Colts to two AFC Championships and a victory in Super Bowl XLI. Brady is 2-1 against Manning in the playoffs and both quarterbacks have recorded a victory against the other in the AFC Championship Game. Career Statistics: Brady has passed for 33,020 yards, 242 touchdowns, and has a QB rating of 93.7 in 138 career games (136 starts and 2 appearances off the bench). Manning has passed for 52,791 yards, 382 touchdowns, and has a QB rating of 95.1 in 201 career games. In 2007, Brady broke Manning's single-season touchdown pass record of 49 with a total of 50 touchdown passes. NFL Awards: Brady has been named to five Pro Bowls (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009); was First Team All-Pro (Associated Press) in 2007 and Second Team All-Pro (AP) in 2005; was the NFL MVP in 2007; and won MVP honors in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. Manning has been named to ten Pro Bowls (1999, 2000, 2002-2009); was First Team All-Pro (AP) in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 and Second Team All-Pro (AP) in 1999, 2000, and 2006; was the NFL MVP in 2003, 2004, and 2008; and won MVP honors in Super Bowl XLI. The statistics can be interpreted in favor of either quarterback. Brady has more championships and has put up Hall of Fame numbers while Manning is on pace to break every important passing statistic and has earned a Super Bowl ring. I guess it comes down to the questions of "Who would you take if you needed to win one game to save the universe?" If that decision were up to me, Brady is my guy. His playoff and Super Bowl record is superior to Manning's and the last time I checked, winning was the goal of the game.