In this debate, the numbers just simply do not lie
- Tom Brady and Peyton Manning….Two QB’s who will undoubtedly be linked together forever. Their many battles over the years as the Patriots faced the Colts are very memorable for any NFL fan. They are largely regarded as the two best signal callers over the last decade or so by most, and the debate still rages on as to which player has had the better career. Back before Peyton decided that Denver would be his new home, I tackled this issue head on and explained where I stood on the matter. What has recently gotten my juices flowing on the topic again, has been countless Broncos fans foaming at the mouth about how Manning is better than Brady and that Peyton has had a better career than Tom. Now I understand that Denver fans will, and should back their guy, especially when that guy is one of the best ever and is now the QB of your team. I am a Broncos fan, bleed blue and orange, and have followed them tirelessly since I can ever remember. However, I also pride myself on being objective, not looking through orange and blue glasses all of the time, and telling it like it is. And in this case, on the topic of who has had the better career, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? I will break it down to the “Top 7″ reasons why…..and really, the argument is actually an easy one to make and support.
7 – Head To Head - One of the easiest ways to settle an argument, face to face….In their 12 all time meetings of Patriots vs Colts, Brady has won 8 of them. 8-4 gives Tom a decided edge here.
6 – TD vs INT - QB’s are often times analyzed by how many TD’s they throw vs how many interceptions they throw. It’s a way to see how efficient they are and how mistake-prone they can be. A 2-1 ratio is typically a good one and even some of the best of all time like Favre, Elway, and Marino are under that for their careers. Peyton has almost exactly a 2-1 ratio, which again is very good. Brady is at 2.6-1 which is off the charts….and the best of all time.
5 – Overall Talent To Work With - Can you name the receivers Tom was throwing to when the Patriots won their 3 rings? It wasn’t Randy Moss or even Wes Welker. It was Troy Brown, David Givens, and Deion Branch….none of which were making Pro Bowls or are headed to the Hall of Fame. How about a stud Running Back to help out? Brady had Corey Dillon, Antowain Smith, and Kevin Faulk….again, no Hall of Famers here. Manning had Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne over the years, as both made several Pro Bowls and Harrison should definitely be Canton-bound one day. Peyton also had a running back named Edgerrin James, who made 4 Pro Bowls and has over 10,000 career rushing yards. Brady has had a lot less quality help over the years, which makes his numbers even more impressive.
4 – Winning % - Winning is the name of the game, right? Well, Peyton does have an impressive winning % as a starting QB. In 208 starts, he has won 141, which puts him at 67.8%, one of the best of all time. It is better than Elway, Marino, or Favre. However, Brady is 124-35 all time, which puts him at 78.0%….the best ever. #2 all time is Joe Montana, winning 71.3% of the time. Brady’s winning % is off the charts, folks.
3 – Coaching - I have heard Manning fans say that the reason Brady has done so well is the system he is in and the fact that Bill Belichick is his head coach. Um….Before Tom Brady showed up and took over for Drew Bledsoe in New England, Belichick was not the mastermind and future Hall of Fame coach that he is today. Let us all get the facts straight first….Brady began starting a few games into the 2001 season. The season before that, the Patriots with Belichick in his first year there were 5-11. Before that, he was the head coach in Cleveland for 5 years, where he went 36-44. Bottom line, before Brady, Belichick was a coach with a losing record. Brady has made Belichick, not the other way around.
2 – Post-Season Performance - The playoffs is when it really matters, we all know this. Tom Brady is tied with Joe Montana for most wins ever in the playoffs for a starting QB, with 16. Brady is 16-6 all time in the post-season. Peyton has a losing record all-time, at 9-10. Kind of a big difference here, don’t ya think?
1 – The Rings - 3 vs 1……It’s that simple. Brady has 3, Manning has 1. Brady is 3-2 in the Super Bowl, Manning is 1-1. If Brady appears in another Super Bowl, it will be the most all-time for a QB. If he wins another one, it will tie him for most Super Bowl wins all-time. Brady already has the decided edge vs Manning as far as Lombardi Trophies are concerned. Keep in mind Tom has said numerous times he wants play into his 40′s…..In a few years, the question of if he is the best of all time really won’t be much of a question, will it?
Denver Sports by J Simp
Manning vs Brady Rebuttal >>>
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4 comments
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iluvscifi
September 13, 2012 at 9:25 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are right A stat here and there but these are 7 big stats for QBs, Eli is actually the better comparison at this point although He has has way better TEAMS in his career
mike
September 11, 2012 at 2:32 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When Manning didn’t play last year, how good were the colts? so shut up! Stats aren’t everything, ask Tim Tebow…. When was the last time Brady won a Superbowl Mr. Brady lover??? now, let me ask you, if Manning stays Healthy and plays 4 years with a team, the Broncos, where do you see Brady??? I don’t see him in the Superbowl – lol THE BRONCOS are not the Colts, they have always had a good D as far back as their first Superbowl, so Manning doesn’t have to worry about that – he just keeps picking up first downs that turn into TD and the Superbowl is his – THE NEXT 4 YEARS…. Now Brady, he gets flustered and he is a smart man – HE KNOW THE BRONCOS AND MANNING spell disaster for his chances of being “THE BEST”….. My Bet is on Manning being the best – now that Manning has a TEAM, lets see how good Brady plays against the Broncos – lol…. you thought Brady’s wife had a mouth after the Superbowl, wait til she has to put up with Brady crying that he can’t get past the Broncos – lol …. so Mr. Writer, Mr. Brady Lover, Go Suck on that – lol
J Simp
July 15, 2012 at 9:24 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
John1972, average playoff play must be ok in your world. Peyton Manning is a fantastic REGULAR SEASON QB…..4 MVP’s is pretty special, but his post-season resume leaves a lot to be desired….and of course I am a Denver fan, but you have to be a total knucklehead to not see Brady’s greatness and that he has had a better career than Manning has. That is easy to see.
john1972
July 13, 2012 at 6:32 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
First off, this is a Denver fan site and you’re pumping up the enemy. Simp, are you a Patriots fan or a Broncos fan? Just curious! Secondly, you are talking about two QB’s that depending on what year it is are separated by very little. Brady has had some impressive years, but was really just average the years the Pats won the superbowls. Whereas Peyton has been pretty fantastic almost every year he’s been healthy. I’m just saying there is very little separation between these two future hall of famers.