Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady: A Look Inside the Numbers

Between 2001 and 2007, the Patriots defense has ranked an average of seventh overall. They had a top-10 ranked defense in five of Brady's seven seasons. That's 71 percent of the time that Brady got the top-tier backing.

I personally feel that this is something that often goes unrecognized. Defense wins championships and having a championship-caliber defense backing you up can make a profound impact on the amount of games you win.

Furthermore, when you play with a great defense, you as the quarterback do not have the same amount of pressure to win games yourself. If you can play with the comfort of not needing to win the games on your shoulders, it makes things a lot easier.

This was an advantage that Brady had much more often than Peyton. And even as a Colts fan, I can admit that our best our defense was not of the caliber of New England's. 

Since the postseason is where Brady has excelled, it's only fair to look at the post season statistics as well.

Peyton Manning: 323 of 523 (62%) for 3,897, 21 TD's, 17 INT's, and a 84.4 QB Rating

Tom Brady: 372 of 595 (62%) for 3,954, 26 TD's, 12 INT's, and a 88.0 QB Rating.

Peyton's post season record is 7-7 while winning one Super Bowl. Brady's record is 14-3 while winning three Super Bowls. Clearly, Brady has the advantage in the postseason, but he also had the aid on the other side of the ball, far more than Manning did. Does that make Peyton's post season performances more impressive than Brady's? No. But such things should be considered.

Peyton has had his success in the postseason as well. He posted a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3 against Denver in 2003. He threw for just under 500 yards (most in postseason history) against Denver in 2004. He won the only punt-free playoff game in history against Kansas City in 2003. He led the Colts on an 18-point comeback over Brady's Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship game.

I, for one, am surprised that Manning and Brady's statistics are as close as they are given the perception both players have gained in the postseason. Even so, Brady does have the advantage.

Overall, these are both player's career records (postseason included)

Peyton Manning's record is 124-64.

Tom Brady's record is 99-30.

Brady does have the higher winning percentage, but the longer you play, the more difficult it usually is to keep that winning percentage up. Peyton Manning has also won more games in a single decade than any quarterback in NFL history.

I'm certain many people will chime in about Brady's Super Bowl wins, but you have to realize that this comparison is between two individual players. Teams win championships and Brady played for better teams.

So when it's all said and done, this is how I look at the situation. I feel that Brady is a very good player playing for a great team and Manning is a great player playing for a very good team.

Both are future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks. This article was not intended to bash Tom Brady. Looking at the information presented, I think everyone can see how good he is. It just so happens that in the statistical department, Peyton Manning is in a league of his own.

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