Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
Manning began his
career a little rocky in 1998 but showed plenty of upside. He threw a rookie record 26
touchdown passes but along with that threw 28 interceptions, which would prove
the only time he ever threw more interceptions than touchdowns.
In his second
year, Manning led the Colts to a 13-3 record and to the playoffs but got
knocked out in the first round. Over the next few years, Manning found up and
down success. He became a Pro Bowl regular by doing good in the regular season
but did not taste postseason success. He either failed to reach the playoffs or in 2002 when he did, he got demolished in the playoffs in 2002, when he passed for 137 yards and failed
to put up a point in a 41-0 Jets Wild-Card victory.
Starting in 2003,
he took his game to the next level in the regular season. He won his first NFL
MVP honors, sharing the award with the late Steve McNair while leading the
league in passing yards. Then in the playoffs, Manning ended his slump in
admirable fashion. He defeated the Denver Broncos 41-10 while passing for 377
yards and 5 touchdowns en route to a perfect passer rating. He continued the
success to the Divisional round when he knocked out the Kansas City Chiefs
38-31. Then in the AFC Championship game, Manning ran into the top seeded
Patriots and Tom Brady for their first head to head battle in the playoffs. In
that game, Manning posted a career low in passer rating at 35.5 and threw 4
interceptions as the Colts lost 24-14.
In 2004, Manning
broke Dan Marino’s single season touchdown record by throwing 49 touchdowns
along with 4,557 yards through the air en route to a mind-blowing passer rating
of 121.1. His team finished 12-4 and Manning received all but one vote for MVP,
taking his second in as many years. After beating Denver once again in the Wild
Card round, Manning was sent home once again by Tom Brady and the Patriots, a
game in which the Patriots defense held Manning and his offensive juggernaut to
3 points.
In 2005, Manning
finished with 3,747 yards on the season, largely because he sat out most of the
last two games because his team had clinched the top seed in the playoffs. In
the regular season, Manning’s signature win came against Tom Brady in New
England where he finally got his first win against Brady. However in the
playoffs, Manning was one-and-done, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the
Divisional round in which Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a potential game
winning field goal with no time left in the game.
2006 was
Manning’s breakthrough season. Manning once again beat Tom Brady in the regular
season and won the AFC South. Manning threw for 4,397 yards and led the league
in passer rating (101.0) and touchdowns (31).
Manning started out his postseason by beating the Chiefs, although he
threw 3 interceptions to just one touchdown. He followed that up the next week
by beating the Baltimore Ravens 15-6, a game in which neither team had a
touchdown. This led to arguably Manning’s most epic playoff performance,
against Tom Brady nonetheless. After throwing a pick-6, the Colts trailed New
England 21-3. Manning engineered an improbable comeback, which culminated in
Tom Brady throwing a game-sealing interception as Manning advanced to his first
Super Bowl. In the Super Bowl, Manning threw a touchdown and an interception
and the Colts also had a pick-6 of Rex Grossman to lead the Colts to a 29-17
victory and Manning earned game MVP honors for his performance. In the 4 game 2006 postseason, Manning
finished with 3 touchdowns to 7 interceptions as well as a rushing touchdown,
all culminating in a Super Bowl ring and Super Bowl MVP honors.
In 2007 Manning
struggled at times during the season, highlighted by a 6-interception performance
against the San Diego Chargers, which was a career high. Nonetheless, with
Manning at the helm the Colts made it to the playoffs but were bounced in the
first round by the San Diego Chargers. Manning had a pretty good game but
failed to lead a game winning drive at the end. In 2008, Manning had a very
good season with a signature win coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars late
in the season. Needing a win to secure the playoffs, Manning started the game
with 17 straight completions and won the game. For his remarkable efforts in
the season, Manning notched his 3rd regular season MVP trophy.
However the Chargers once again bounced the Colts out of the playoffs, this
time in overtime as Manning’s postseason struggles continued.
In 2009, Manning
continued his assault on the record books. Once again, Manning managed to beat
Brady in the regular season in a game known forever for “4th and 2”
as Patriots coach Bill Belichick went for it on 4th down from his
own territory just to prevent giving the back ball to Manning. They failed and
Manning made quick work of the defense and threw a touchdown to get a one-point
victory. Manning threw for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns while snagging his
NFL-record 4th MVP trophy while leading his team to 14-2. In 2009, Manning
had one of his best postseasons and appeared in his second Super Bowl. Against
the New Orleans Saints, the Colts trailed by 7 late in the game and Manning was
driving the Colts down the field. However, he was intercepted by Tracy Porter
who returned it for a touchdown, sealing the Saints win and raising further
questions about Manning’s big moment struggles. Manning finished the postseason
with 6 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.
In 2010, Manning
had a pretty decent regular season with a mixture of big wins and losses.
Notably, against the Patriots with the Colts trailing by 17 in the second half,
Manning brought them back within a field goal but then threw a game sealing
interception. He was once again sent home in his first playoff game, a narrow
one point defeat at the hand of the New York Jets, who had beat Brady in the
previous week.
Manning missed
all of the 2011 season due to severe neck injuries, which required 4 surgeries.
The Colts heavily missed Manning and went 2-14 without him. Though Manning was
strongly missed, a lot of the disappointment had to do with other aspects of
the team. (Click here to read more: http://sportstation126.blogspot.com/2013/11/alex-smiths-kansas-city-chiefs-peyton.html )
In the offseason,
the Colts released Manning in order to draft their future quarterback Andrew
Luck. Manning signed with the Denver Broncos
In 2012 Manning
opened the season for the first time in a uniform other than the Colts. After a
2-3 start to the season, including a loss to Brady and the Patriots, Manning
finished with 11 straight regular season wins and crushing all doubt that he
had lost a step following the injury. It was one of the most improbable and
spectacular return from such a major injury in recent memory. However The
Broncos were sent home in their first playoff game as Broncos safety Rahim Moore failed
to knock down a 70 yard prayer by Raven quarterback Joe Flacco, which sent the game to
overtime. In overtime, the Broncos just needed a field goal, yet Manning
through a very crucial interception leading to a Ravens field goal.
In 2013, manning
opened the season with a bang throwing 7 touchdowns in the opening game, tying
an NFL record. Manning started the season throwing 16 touchdowns to no
interception, all but securing his 5th NFL MVP. In his return to Indianapolis,
Manning suffered his only defeat of the season. Manning ended Kansas City’s
hope of a perfect season.
Manning now faces
the New England Patriots and Tom Brady for the 14th head to head
matchup between the two legends.
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