Good vs. Best

Quarterbacks often say they do not play against one another, they play against the other team’s defense.  But don’t believe it.  Quarterbacks are most often the highest paid, most popular, and biggest egos on their teams.  They are all intensely competitive and aware of their counterparts resume.

Thus was the case last Sunday evening when two of the NFL’s best came together on a cold, windy field in Foxbrough, Massachusetts.  It was the 14th time in the careers of the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks that their teams have met.   Each quarterback, one good the other great, has their team in first place in their respective division.  Each quarterback was looking to make a statement to the other as to who’s the best.   

Tom Brady, Patriots, has been the best post season quarterback of all time.  He has played in five Super Bowls, winning three.  He has two Super Bowl MVP’s and two League MVP’s in his 11 years as the starter.  His career post season record is 17 – 7, more wins than any other QB in NFL history.

Peyton Manning, Broncos, has been the best regular season quarterback of all time.  He has four League MVP awards, and numerous passing records.  He has been the AFC player of the year seven times.  He has won a Super Bowl (as the games MVP) and lost one.  However, his playoff record of 9 – 11 pales in comparison to his longtime rival. 

In head to head matchups, Brady holds the edge over Manning, now having won ten of the fourteen meetings.  True, Brady has been on better teams.  However when it comes to big games and cold weather Peyton has had his problems.   In games played outdoors in temperatures below 32 degrees Manning is 3 – 7 while Tom Brady’s record is 25 – 5.   

On Sunday night, Manning jumped out to a 24 – 0 lead only to see Brady fight back for an eventual 31 – 31 deadlock by the end of regulation.  Winning the coin toss to start the overtime, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick chose to give the ball to Peyton Manning and force him to play against the wind.  A statement of who he felt was the better?  Possible but, as it turned out, a great decision…