Almost a week has passed since the super-hyped Patriots-Colts matchup—but the Peyton Manning-Tom Brady debate is still very much unsettled.
Which star QB is better?
Both are future Hall of Famers who've earned the respect of teammates and coaches. Brady's lifetime quarterback rating is 92.2; Manning's is 94.7.
Choosing between them would seem to be almost impossible.But that won't stop me from trying.
To his credit, Brady is a commanding presence in the huddle—you get a sense there's never any doubt about who's in charge. Though his arm strength has been questioned, I've seen him go deep with great success.
I suppose it helps when you have an offensive line like New England's—Brady at times seems to have a force-field around him on Sundays.
Manning, on the hard, has a good line that's still developing. OT Tony Ugoh in particular still has some learning to do.
Both the Patriots and the Colts have superb skill-position players on offense. You could certainly make an argument that Indy has the best one-two receiver punch in the league—but Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Welker aren't too shabby themselves.
In the end, I'd go with Manning if a game were on the line—based on his arm, his footwork, and his ability to succeed with a less-talented offensive line.
It's also worth noting that Manning is effectively Indy's offensive coordinator. When you watch him make those hand signals at the line scrimmage, you have to believe he's already figured out where the holes are in the defense.
All told, Brady and Manning are both outstanding quarterbacks. Wherever your sympathies lie, you'll find plenty of fodder to support your position—and plenty of naysayers ready to argue against you.
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8 months ago
What you are missing is this is the first time Brady had his receiver corp. Manning had top of the line receivers all the time. Brady won 3 rings with second or 3rd rate receivers, now he has his. He is now beating Manning with ease and breaking all records. Just imaging if Brady had top level receivers last 5 years!!!! Manning is good, but Brady is the super quaterback we have ever seen.
8 months ago
I agree on Anonymous's comments. Yes Brady had a better offensive line, but he had third string receivers. Rache Coldwell (Rache who??) became the best Pat receiver in a year that an injury depleted Pats virtually beat colts in their own home during AFC championship, that even after a couple of tough road games in playoffs. Brady is much superior, we can now see that. Only dumbest can argue this fact..
8 months ago
I agree also, Manning is just Roger Goodell/ NFL poster boy. Brady is the real deal here. Brady never had the receiving corp Manning had. Nor did he have the easy road to success. But he is the best of the two. Only the mentally challenge would not understand this as a no contest. Tom Brady rules
8 months ago
And Brady has always had a top ranked defense year in and year out, manning has been doing it with a sub par defense and finally when he got a good defense, he won the super bowl......your arguments can go either way.....
They're both amazing quarterbacks, but they're amazing in different ways. If I had an amazing teams, with an amazing coach (belichick), I would pick Brady. But if I had to start a team from scratch (rebuilding), I would pick Manning, simply because of his work ethics and his ability to adapt and change and evolve....
If Brady had been drafted 1st overall in 1998 and put on to start on that colts team, he would never have made it and if you put manning on belichicks team, those two would probably hate each other because they are both control freaks and they wouldn't do well together.
they're both amazing qbs......
8 months ago
Now Manning having a better defense than Brady (atleast better ranked so far), does he have numbers better than Brady? Nope! So defense is a mute point when it comes to quaterback rating. Through last 5 years, Brady made ordinary receivers shine to some level. Take examples of Branch and Rache. How did they do after they left Pats? Below average or average? What about Moss? He is for sure most talented right now. Why? Two reasons, 1. He is abosultely a great receiver 2. He got an amazing quaterback. Both Moss and Brady are shining from each other's skills. What about Wes Welker? He was average. Now what? One of the best productions you have seen.
My point is Manning always had his weapons, now when both are equal with weapons, Brady is much ahead of the game. This year is what will define who is the best quaterback out of these two. It is a no brainer.
8 months ago
BRADY is betta than manning
8 months ago
assuming equivalent physical skills, mentality brady still pummels manning
8 months ago
Gimme Big Ben. I'm Bias because I'm a Steeler Fan. But seriously, the guy wrecks his motercycle without a helmet. Brady chases Victoria Secret. Peyton is hard working, but..... I'll take Big Ben.
8 months ago
LOL nice David! Go against the Brady crowd! And I'll keep the streak up, and say that I'll take Manning. The ways he uses his intellect is phenominal. He constucts drives with ease. Does he have great talent around him? Uh huh. But he also is the QB that has the most knowledge in the game. Never credits himself, works hard every year. Favre and Marino know who will be the best passer in the end, and so do I. PEYTON.
PS: GO BILLS!!!!
8 months ago
Brady: how many years younger than Manning??? Look how Brady will become better and better. I hope Pats will keep offensive weapons for another few years. Manning will be history while he is still playing. For sure, Brady will have his 4th ring. He will be best ever..
8 months ago
Last year Brady had an awful receiving corps, but prior to that w/guys like Deion Branch and David Givens and Troy Brown third string receivers is not what Brady's had most of his career.
8 months ago
Brady won three superbowls in his first 4 years in the nfl (with at least 2 or 3 more to come),manning won his first (and only one he will ever win) superbowl after 9 years wow big deal he won one BIG game .he is only a little bit better then Danmarino .Brady is the best qb in the nfl EVER, not just now but EVER.....facts dont lie look at the qbs playoff numbers. Brady lives for Big games Manning is not a Big game qb
8 months ago
Now Manning proves he is inferior, he rattles big time. Do not complain he did not have WRs. Brady played for good many years without above average WRs. Brady sometimes rattle, but never to this low like last nights Colts-Chargers game. Brady rules!
8 months ago
by Austin H.
from four days ago
I agree because Manning is just down. He's not feeling confident . You might just have to throw in the back-up Q.B. Tom Brady has the spotlight right now, and I think he's going to keep it as long as Manning
keeps screwen up. Brady has obviously has the top ranked defence. And Manning doesn't. Brady has the best offence. Manning doesn't. I think you kmow who is the best now.
8 months ago
By Austin H.
Manning is horrible. Brady has the spotlight. Brady has the number one defence, and number one offence. Right now Brady is better. He will always have Manning if he keeps it up the pace. Brady has obviously won more Super Bowls. Manning is great and all but for now Brady is number one.
P.s. Bills reek! Raider and Packers bring the house down an so do the 49ers.
8 months ago
Boohoo Steve.. Steve who? Just a bloggie, watch what the great Madden and Parcells said, BRADY is the BEST EVER!!!! Go write something that you know better.. May be cooking???
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