I know it’s not even close to football season, but I just have to bring up this topic because it is one of my favorites. Who would you want as your quarterback: Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
People have been discussing this for the last few years, and many people think that after what Tom Brady did last season the argument is over. Think again.
Career quarterback rating gives Manning a slight edge. He has a 94.7 rating and Brady’s is 92.9. However, I don’t believe that the quarterback rating tells us everything we need to know about a player’s performance.
I have studied both players’ stats over the last seven years and there are a few things that might surprise you. In fairness to Brady, I am only using stats from 2001 and after, when he played 15 games for the New England Patriots.
Many people consider Brady to be the more accurate passer of the two, but Manning actually has a better completion percentage. Since 2001 Manning has completed 65.9 percent of his passes, and Brady has completed 63 percent. Brady did, however, complete a ridiculous 68.9 percent of his passes in the 2007 season, which is the highest single-season completion percentage for either player.
Manning has thrown for more yards (29,339) and more touchdowns (221) since 2001 than Brady has (26,364 and 197), but Brady has thrown only 86 interceptions compared to Manning’s 95. Manning has attempted 161 more passes than Brady over that span, but that is not enough of a difference to justify nine more interceptions.
Statistically, it appears that Manning has been slightly better than Brady over the last seven years, but Brady had a monster year last year and his numbers dwarfed Manning’s.
Brady had 4,808 passing yards compared to Manning’s 4,040, Brady had a record-breaking 50 touchdowns compared to 31 by Manning, and then there’s the aforementioned 68.9 completion percentage compared to Manning’s 65.4 percent.
It is also worth mentioning that the touchdown record that Brady broke was previously held by Manning, who set it in 2004 when he threw 49 touchdown passes.
You should also consider Super Bowl rings. I think that this is slightly overemphasized, but there’s no doubt that players, especially quarterbacks, are judged based on how many championships they have won. Brady has won three championships, and Manning has won one.
Then there’s the eyeball factor. That is when you put all statistics aside and judge based solely on what you see when you watch these guys. Both are big, strong, athletic, calm, and very smart. Manning may have a slightly stronger arm, and be a little bit stronger.
Brady may throw a little bit crisper of a ball and a tighter spiral. Both are well respected and are excellent leaders. Manning makes some downfield throws that no one should be able to make, and I have seen Brady make some amazing touch passes (i.e. lobbing it just out of the reach of the defender into his receiver’s hands).
The bottom line is that any team would be happy to have either of these guys. They are both great quarterbacks and will go down as some of the greatest ever.
If I had to choose, I would take Peyton Manning, but I wouldn’t think anyone was crazy for taking Tom Brady. Here’s some food for thought:
In a few years, will we be discussing Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger? I hope so.
25 comments Last one added 3 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jacob Sloan about 1 year ago
I'd take Brady but only because I feel like he is a little bit more mobile than Manning. He can run in a TD every now and then and seems more durable (at least seems--neither one of these guys are ever really pushed to the limits with the lines they have in front of them).
I think Romo will def be in the picture soon if he isn't already. Same goes for Big Ben. They are both on their way to being elite QBs soon if they continue to improve.
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Ivahn Lachowsky about 1 year ago
I'd have to go with Tom Brady (big surprise) but Peyton Manning is one hell of a great quarterback too I just don't know if Manning would have posted those numbers had it not been for the offense in front of him where as Brady has shown he can win with just about anyone in front of him fun discusion though I'm sure it will rage for years to come
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
Brady is a better player...that's not a knock on Peyton. They will both go down as all-time greats, but I think Brady has the edge because he's come up big more times in big spots than Peyton has
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mike ahern about 1 year ago
Gotta go with Tom Brady here for reasons that are clearly evident with first being more superbowl wins brady has three peyton has one. Brady threw 50tds last season but we can forget in 2004 peyton threw 49 so they both had their ridiculous years. Has to go to brady for the simple fact that before randy moss, tom brady won with lesser talent at the Wr corps, he won with guys like troy brown(solid player no hate on him), david givens, deion branch (hasnt nearly put up the numbers he did with brady), dan graham (thank tommy for your contract), and reche caldwell being the patriots number 1 wr and almost getting to a superbowl. Peyton has had marvin harrison for a long time and now has another stud in reggie wayne and a great receiving TE in dallas clark, i think its easy to say Brady has done more with less. Another big stat is you have to look at head to head wins, and playoff records in which Brady is 14-3 (Staggerring) in the postseason with four trips to the big game and 3 victories with 2 superbowl MVP's. No knock on peyton hes a great QB but i just think Brady is on a different level, and you gotta look at their personal appearance Tom Brady as the GQ model clearly has the looks over peyton haha
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Dallin Page about 1 year ago
Brady, just because of that killer instinct he has. He doesn't care who he walks over to get to the top.
Their passing game is about equal though.
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Nikki Greene about 1 year ago
Brady a killer dude awesome throw can stand right in da pocket is younger smarter sweeter ands has da package i love 2 play football i want 2 b like Brady 3 super bowls by da way it was not Bradys falut at all dat da lost da super bowl there coach and defense is week. But its impressive in 6 years hes been 2 superbowl 4 times and has been in da AFC championship like 5 or 6 years hes a hell of a player and hot but dats not da point hes amazing i'd defintly pick him over manning both i like peytion he has skill but i hate eli manning no skill and the giants cheated w/e Brady 100%
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Brendan Majev about 1 year ago
I'd take Brady so I'd have a chance with Gisele.
...Okay seriously, I'd still take Brady for two reasons.
1) He's more clutch. In this league, it's about the big game. 3 rings to 1. If it were 3 to 2, then there would be more argument about this. (And just for the record, if the Pats had gone undefeated this year, I would have crowned Brady the best ever. Now, he's not such a clear choice, although he is easily top 5-10.)
2) He's done it without great skill around him (as far as the offensive skill positions go, he's had a great offensive line, just like Manning, for most of his career). Manning, on the other hand, appeared to have trouble surrounded by a high-powered offensive club. Conversely, Manning had a weaker defensive team much of his career, and only last year did Brady have the explosive offense around him. However, with that talent, Manning took a long time to get to the big game and win whereas Brady got there with 18 straight wins and all kinds of passing records.
I expect Brady to statistically be better than Manning in the years to come, based on who Brady now has around him on offense and Manning's not-too-distant loss of Marvin Harrison to retirement. I think the two will end up about equal statistically for their careers, and ultimately it will come down to rings... or possibly even simple preference.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
For the love of God, he did not win all those years with less talent!!!! He won 3 super bowls with great defensive teams!!!!
Peyton Manning never had a dominating defensive team... which makes what he has done more impressive. All throughout Brady's career, all he's had to do is drive the field at the end get vinateiri to kick a few field goals where as manning always had to go and score TDs every drive or his team would lose.
I would take PEyton Manning because the colts started their franchise with him and he has lived up to the hype and some more. He was drafted into a pathetic franchise, went through the tough times and now he's the boss.
Brady is great, but he was drafted into a well established organization right off the bat. He was just a piece of the puzzle when they got him, but MAnning was the cornerstone. Brady never had the pressure of being the "face of the frnachise".
So... I would pick manning for my team beause I know he can be a franchise player, but I don't know if i pcked brady....whether he could succeed on a crappy team.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I dont think Brady has had great defensive teams that people made him out to have. I think a lot of the "great defensive teams" has come from the Belichick mystique because in the first superbowl win their defense was rated very low. Also, I don't think that Peyton has had as bad defenses as people made him out to have. It's convient how people forget that Peyton had a number one defense when they lost to the Steelers the year the Steelers won it. Freeney was wreaking havoc that season.
Personally, though I would take Peyton with a slight edge over Brady. The man just makes some hilarious commercials and his SNL appearance was priceless.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Also, to note I dont know where people get off saying that Brady was drafted into a great franchise. Brady has elevated the Patriots organization to levels no one thought was possible. Brady's first season the patriots were 5-11 and the year they won the first super bowl, the team was predicted to be horrible again.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
The BEST is TOM BRADY
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
That eagerness to further pursue this question
Tom Brady has 8 years proving to be the best.
We note that there is no currency GOLD, without so much love on the part of many people TOM continues to be the BEST
TOM is the best QB
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Lauren Charleston about 1 year ago
Tom Brady--hands down.
he's a clutch player.
he understands the game very well.
and frankly, peyton manning is overrated.
plus peyton is getting up there in age.
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Dylan Mckay about 1 year ago
Wtf??????????? tom brady is 31 and peyton manning is 32 wow yeh peyton is so much older than tom brady and yeh brady clutch what happened in the super bowl vs the giants
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Brady elevated the franchise??????
please... he was a backup the year they won the superbowl. If Drew Bledsoe didn't get injured, they would've won the superbowl with him as well. I'm sorry, but Bill Belichick is the face of that team.
People can say what they want... Brady was brought into a great franchise with no pressure on him to do anything, but not screw up. Peyton Manning has saved the Colts, and his defensive teams have been crap year in and year out. They were one of the worse defensive teams the year they wo nthe super bowl, they got hot at the right time. This just proves that if peyton manning had a good defense, the colts would probably have more superbowls.
Its funny how ever since the Pats defensive guys have been getting old, leaving for other teams, they just haven't won a super bowl......
Tom Brady is amazing, but no one compares to PEyton Manning, he's a one of a kind QB, and he gets beter with age because he relies more on his brains then his physical skills.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
your are crazy the king of QB is TOM BRADY
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whats updogy about 1 year ago
peyton he domanates every one and every thing
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Peyton on and off the field. Brady was great has turned into a Wuss big time! He a lot to prove this year not only on the field but also to the city of Boston that he actuallly embraces all of it, and stop supporting the competition in NYC!
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Dylan Mckay about 1 year ago
you guys are fucking dumbasses peyton manning is best QB behinde joe montanna peyton has won his super bowl and is on his way to win another.... o yeh go patriots they are good they just lose the super bowl and went 18-1 so much for shady brady being "Mr. Clutch" im sorry but patriots need to stop cheating and actually win some games on their own fuck the patriots
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James Clark 9 months ago
hey retard stop talking...from what i remember the reason why players play in the national football league is to win superbowls...and brady has more...Dan Marino might have better numbers than Joe Montana...but who is considered better...Joe Montana...WHY? cause he has more superbowl rings...so know the nfl and the reason why people play in the nfl before you start talking
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Trenton Willis 10 months ago
Peyton Manning all day. The Patriots always had a good defense. The Colts were never a good defensive team until this year when Bob Sanders won defensive mvp. I'll give u a stat that makes manning better than brady. Yes Tom Brady broke mannings td record by 1 td and he had the best receiver in the league, Randy Moss. Peyton manning and the colts are the only team in NFL history to have 3 receivers with 10 touchdowns and 1000 yards in the same season. Peyton Manning and the colts are also the only team in NFL History to win 12 games or more in 5 consecutive seasons. Check the record for both
Receivers- Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stockley
Colts 12 wins or more- 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4(Superbowl Champs), and 13-3. New England and Indianapolis has a rivarly going on that's really bad. The Colts will be Superbowl Champs again. How about another 13-3 record this year.
GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!
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Justin Damasiewicz 10 months ago
I love your analysis Trenton, but with the exception of last year Peyton has had better receivers.
Then again, Brady never put up monster stats like Peyton until last year either.
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hank hill 10 months ago
brady has had a better career up to this point but despite manning being a little older the rest of his carrer looks brighter than brady's
manning still has chances to win another superbowl and he probably will be off breaking records
brady is part of a dynasty to look to be coming to an end after the loss in arizona to the giants and performing quite poorly in the preseason the pats r a downhill team
after last year many player packed thier bags and left
asante samuel has been a key part of this franchise and without donte stallworth wes welker and tom brady would not have had thier great sucsess last year
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chris 6 months ago
lets not forget that football is a team sport, Brady is only considered on the same level because he has won 3 rings. when you look at the coaching staff, the defense, and the fact that Brady threw 23 of 50 touchdown passes to Randy Moss when he broke the record should show anyone that he had more to do with that record than Brady, not mention the patriots ran up the score in every game that season and still barley broke the record, give Peyton moss and a coach that has a lust for rubbing it in like belicheck and i bet he could throw for 60 Tds in a single season. Peyton stat wise out does Brady in every category barring interceptions. yes rings matter but, they are not the only standard that a player should be judged by. a comment was made that winning a superbowl was the only reason that a player plays football, well you're wrong it might be the main reason but it's not the only one . when you look at the fact that we have never seen another Qb year in and year out put up the numbers
Peyton has as well as the fact that he has done it with a conservative coach like Tony should show that by the end of his career he very well could be the best ever when he retires. not to mention he has stil got about 5 years left to win a couple more rings, who is better a guy with 3 rings and all the records or a guy with 3 rings and no records, advantage Manning.
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tits 3 months ago
peyton is better because he doesn't have as good of people around him. unlike brady who has arguably the best offensive line in the league. He has like 7 seconds to throw every play.
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