Brady vs. Manning XIV: 12 > 18


The Patriots were trailing the Denver Broncos by double digits before some people had even sat down to watch the game. Both teams have high expectations for the season, but it was the Broncos that were the favorites behind Peyton Manning who looks to have all but secured his fifth MVP award. With #12 still behind center for the Pats, there was always a shot though, even when trailing 24-0 at half.

Tonight, it was the Patriots who got the W and Tom Brady who beat Peyton Manning at his own game; statistics. Sure this Patriots victory was 100% a team effort, but Brady's fire and ridiculous second half numbers were the foundation. Let's take a deeper look at the numbers, courtesy of ESPN.com:

T. Brady:         34/50 completed 344yds 3 TD  0 INT 107.4 rating
P. Manning:        19/36 completed 150yds 2 TD 1 INT 70.4 rating

So Brady clearly topped Manning in every statistic. As for each QB's impact on the game, it was again Brady who takes the cake. The Broncos offensive strategy was clear from the beginning; run the ball against a beaten up Patriots defensive front. Though the Pats secondary has had its share of injuries as well, Denver's philosophy tonight was to win on the ground, not with the 4 time MVP. The Patriots had a balanced approach initially but ultimately tilted towards a more pass-heavy strategy once they started trailing.


The cold weather was also a huge factor in both players' performances. Though Manning now calls Denver his home, the years he spent in Indianapolis playing in a dome as a home stadium has left him more vulnerable to tough weather situations. Brady on the other hand has been playing in the cold for the second half of seasons throughout his entire career. Regardless of the 20mph winds both quarterbacks looked as though they could cut the ball through the gusts, but Brady just seemed more comfortable. The numbers back this up as well.

In the end, Brady topped Manning this time. Even the Broncos' huge lead was a result of Patriots miscues, not superb performance by Peyton. Tonight #18 looked more like a game-manager than a play-maker while #12 went off for one of the best performances we've seen from him, at least for a half. Now, does this game automatically cement Brady as a better quarterback than Manning? Absolutely not. People will argue both ways for years to come. For at least tonight though, despite everything that all my math teachers have ever tried to explain to me, 12 is greater than 18.

Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18
#BradyForMVP