If you ask any football fan what the greatest quarterback rivalry in the NFL is, they're likely going to tell you Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. This Sunday, they meet each other once again, this time coming in one of the biggest games of the year, the AFC Championship. Peyton Manning's age is catching up with him and he's become more susceptible to injury. There's a chance that this could be Manning's last hurrah and this could very well be the last chance football fans get to witness a game in which Tom Brady and Peyton Manning go toe-to-toe. Without a doubt, this has been the best rivalry in the NFL over the last decade, if not ever. Brady leads the head-to-head series 11-5. Let's revisit and take a look at some of these classic games between Manning and Brady.

September 30, 2001 (Week 3)

The first ever matchup between Brady and Manning came back in 2001 in a regular season game. The rivalry before the rivalry; and it wasn't even close. Neither quarterback played good but the New England Patriots defense came to play, scoring twice and forcing Manning and the Indianapolis Colts to turn the ball over on multiple occasions. Piece of cake.

Brady: 13/23, 168 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 79.6 passer rating

Manning: 20/34, 196 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 1 rushing TD, 48.2 passer rating

FINAL: NE 44 - IND 13

Brady (1-0) - Manning (0-1)

October 21, 2001 (Week 6)

Manning and Brady were set to meet for the second time of the 2001 season. This was the only season that the two were in the same division, hence why they played each other twice in the same regular season. Brady had a much better outing than in the previous matchup, tossing three touchdowns. Manning played better as well, not turning the ball over but only tossed one touchdown, ultimately leading to the Colts defeat. The Patriots would also go on to win their first Super Bowl later in the season. 

Brady: 16/20, 202 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 148.3 passer rating

Manning: 22/34, 335 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 106.9 passer rating

FINAL: NE 38 - IND 17

Brady (2-0) - Manning (0-2)

November 30, 2003 (Week 13)

In the first meeting between the two as non-divisional opponents, it was the best game played in the young rivalry. The Patriots jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, thanks to a Peyton Manning fumble. Despite trailing by over three possessions, the Colts clawed back thanks in part to two interceptions thrown by Tom Brady in the second half. However, the Patriots would pull it out and Tom Brady would remain undefeated against Peyton Manning. 

Brady: 26/35, 236 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 87.3 passer rating

Manning: 29/48, 278 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 95.7 passer rating

FINAL: NE 38 - IND 34

Brady (3-0) - Manning (0-3)

January 18, 2004 (AFC Championship)

The first playoff matchup in the rivalry came in 2004 in the AFC Championship. Brady already had playoff experience, winning the Super Bowl in 2001. But for Manning, this was the first season that he and the Colts moved further than the Wild Card round. The game was in Foxboro, MA. Advantage: New England. In the biggest game of his young career, Peyton Manning was horrific. Brady wasn't fantastic by any means, but was able to get the job done. Patriots move on.

Brady: 22/37, 237 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 76.1 passer rating

Manning: 23/47, 237 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT, 35.5 passer rating

FINAL: NE 24 - IND 13

Brady (4-0) - Manning (0-4) 

 

September 9, 2004 (Week 1)

Fresh off of another Super Bowl championship, the Patriots hosted the Colts on opening night. Both quarterbacks played well, but in a close one, Brady and the Patriots once again got the best of the Colts. At this point in time it didn't seem like much of a rivalry, as Manning and the Colts couldn't pull out a victory.

Brady: 26/38, 335 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 111.2 passer rating

Manning: 16/29, 256 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 93.5 passer rating

FINAL: NE 27 - IND 24

Brady (5-0) - Manning (0-5)

January 16, 2005 (AFC Divisional Round)

In the second playoff matchup between the two, it was a defensive battle as the Pats led the Colts 6-3 at halftime. Could Manning finally get over the hump and beat his kryptonite, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? That would be no. The Pats struck twice, including a touchdown pass by Tom Brady in the second half. Brady once again reigns over Manning.

Brady: 18/27, 144 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 92.2 passer rating

Manning: 27/42, 238 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 69.3 passer rating

FINAL: NE 20 - IND 3

Brady (6-0) - Manning (0-6)

November 7, 2005 (Week 9)

Now this, was a great game. Brady and Manning combined for six touchdowns and nearly 600 yards of passing, while also completing over 66 percent of their passes. But the Colts forced a fumble late, and Manning turned the turnover into a touchdown. Manning finally did it, after four years and now in the seventh matchup between the teams, Manning finally beat Brady. What made this win even sweeter was the fact he did it on the road.

Brady: 22/33, 265 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 121.4 passer rating

Manning: 28/37, 321 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 117.1 passer rating

FINAL: IND 40 - NE 21

Brady (6-1) - Manning (1-6)

November 5, 2006 (Week 9)

Just nearly a year removed from his lone victory against Tom Brady, Peyton Manning set out to do it again. Manning was on the road once again and playing against a tough New England crowd. But the story of this game was the play of Tom Brady. He had his worst game in the rivalry on this day. Chalk up two wins in a row for Peyton.

Brady: 20/35, 201 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT, 34.0 passer rating

Manning: 20/36, 326 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 93.1 passer rating

FINAL: IND 27 - NE 20

Brady (6-2) - Manning (2-6)

January 21, 2007 (AFC Championship)

Manning was rolling with two straight victories over Tom Brady, but now the stage was the playoffs, a place where Manning hadn't beat Brady. But the game was in Indianapolis, which played favor to Manning. However, it was nothing but Patriots in the first half. Asante Samuel had a pick six which gave the Pats a 21-6 lead going into the locker room. But Manning and the Colts would not be silenced. After battling back and forth in the second half, the Colts jumped ahead, 38-34 on a Joseph Addai touchdown run with one minute remaining. Brady would throw an interception on the following drive to guarantee a Colts victory. Indianapolis would go on to win the Super Bowl against the Chicago Bears.

Brady: 21/34, 232 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 79.5 passer rating

Manning: 27/47, 349 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 79.1 passer rating

FINAL: IND 38 - NE 34

Brady (6-3) - Manning (3-6)

November 4, 2007 (Week 9)

Manning had won three games in a row against Brady, making this a true rivalry and the stakes even higher every time they matched up. It looked like Manning's streak was going to continue, as the Colts led 20-10 with just under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Brady, however, would toss touchdown passes to Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk. Manning would fumble on the ensuing drive, ending any comeback attempt. 

Brady: 21/32, 255 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 95.2 passer rating

Manning: 16/27, 225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 83.1 passer rating

FINAL: NE 24 - IND 20

Brady (7-3) - Manning (3-7)

November 15, 2009 (Week 10)

This was another epic offensive showdown between the two QB's. They would combine for seven touchdown passes and over 700 passing yards. However, while the Patriots led 34-28 late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots decided to go for it on and 4th & 2 from their own 28-yard line. The Colts defense would stuff the Pats, giving Manning and the Colts offense great field position. Manning would hit Reggie Wayne for a touchdown and Adam Vinatieri would nail the extra point to give the Colts the one point lead and ultimately, the victory.

Brady: 29/42, 375 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 110.7 passer rating

Manning: 28/44, 327 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT, 97.4 passer rating

FINAL: IND 35 - NE 34

Brady (7-4) - Manning (4-7)

November 21, 2010 (Week 11)

Manning threw two picks early, which allowed the Patriots to jump out to a 31-14 lead. Manning and the Colts would rally, making it close at 31-28. But Manning's third interception of the night on the final drive of the game would give the Pats the win. This would be the last Brady vs. Manning matchup with Manning as a member of the Colts. 

Brady: 19/25, 186 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 123.1 passer rating

Manning: 38/52, 396 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT, 96.3 passer rating

FINAL: NE 31 - IND 28

Brady (8-4) - Manning (4-8)

 

October 7, 2012 (Week 5)

This marked the first matchup of Brady vs. Manning with Manning playing for the Denver Broncos. Manning outplayed Brady but the Broncos couldn't stop the run, allowing 252 rushing yards and Manning fumbled late to secure a Patriots win.

Brady: 23/31, 223 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 104.6 passer rating

Manning: 31/44, 337 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 115.4 passer rating

FINAL: NE 31 - DEN 21

Brady (8-4) - Manning (4-8 with Colts)

Brady (1-0) - Manning (0-1 with Broncos)

OVERALL: Brady (9-4) - Manning (4-9) 

November 24, 2013 (Week 12)

The first half was nothing but Broncos. Peyton Manning and the Bronco offense succeeded with ease, leading 24-0 at halftime. Brady would lead an incredible comeback, eventually tying the game at 31 to send the game to overtime. The Patriots would punt but it bounced off a Denver player and New England would recover the ball, setting up good field position and an easy field goal make. Pats win in overtime.

Brady: 34/50, 344 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 107.4 passer rating

Manning: 19/36, 150 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 70.4 passer rating

FINAL: NE 34 - DEN 31

Brady (8-4) - Manning (4-8 with Colts)
Brady (2-0) - Manning (0-2 with Broncos)
OVERALL: Brady (10-4) - Manning (4-10) 

January 19, 2014 (AFC Championship)

In his biggest game as a Bronco, Manning was fantastic. He threw for 400 yards and Denver would head to its first Super Bowl in 15 years. Manning would get a chance at his second ring.

Brady: 24/38, 277 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 93.9 passer rating

Manning: 32/43, 400 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 118.4 passer rating

FINAL: DEN 26 - NE 16

Brady (8-4) - Manning (4-8 with Colts)
Brady (2-1) - Manning (1-2 with Broncos)
OVERALL: Brady (10-5) - Manning (5-10) 

November 2, 2014 (Week 9)

Up to date and assuming Peyton Manning is done after this season, this game was likely the last time that Manning and Brady met in the regular season. And it was nothing but Patriots as Tom Brady tossed four touchdowns.

Brady: 33/53, 333 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 97.4 passer rating

Manning: 34/57, 438 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 80.9 passer rating

FINAL: NE 43 - DEN 21

 

Brady (8-4) - Manning (4-8 with Colts)
Brady (3-1) - Manning (1-3 with Broncos)
OVERALL: Brady (11-5) - Manning (5-11) 

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are set to meet this Sunday in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos and Patriots met earlier this season, with the Broncos winning it 30-24 in overtime. This was the first Patriots loss of the season, as they dropped to 10-1 and the Broncos improved to 9-2. However, Peyton Manning was injured and backup quarterback Brock Osweiler was behind center for the Broncos.

It could very well be the last time sports fans across the globe get to witness Manning vs. Brady. It should be epic and thanks to both quarterbacks for providing some great games and memories over their storied careers. Best of luck to both players and teams. All of America and beyond wil be watching. 

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About the author
Jeremy Bowen
Writer on the St. Louis Rams. Also occasionally talking about other sports going on in the St. Louis area.