The Matchup We've Been Waiting For: Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady

When the 9-2 New England Patriots play the 8-3 Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field, there will be a number of interesting variables providing the backdrop for the game.

For one thing, the Patriots have to be considered the hottest team in the NFL right now, as they have won seven straight games and have the best record in the league.

The Packers are also very hot, having won seven out of their last eight games, and are considered the team with the best momentum in the NFC. Green Bay now has the second-best record in the conference and has overtaken the Detroit Lions on top of the NFC North.

The Patriots lead the NFL in scoring with 357 points (32.5 average) in 11 games, while the Packers are second in that category with 354 points (32.2 average).

Both teams can throw the ball very effectively but also can run the ball almost as well when need be.

Both defenses have excellent secondaries, too. That's a good thing, because both secondaries will be facing their toughest tests of the season this upcoming Sunday.

Why? Because the Packers will have Aaron Rodgers behind center, while the Pats will have Tom Brady calling signals.

This will be the first time each of these future Hall of Fame quarterbacks face each other as starters.

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In 2006, in a game at Lambeau Field, Brady started opposite Brett Favre. After Favre was injured, Rodgers came into the game but ended up breaking his foot. Neither Favre nor Rodgers was very effective, as the Pats won 35-0 that day behind Brady's four touchdown passes.

In 2010, in a game at Gillette Stadium, Brady started against Matt Flynn, as Rodgers missed the game due to a concussion. The Pats won 31-27, and Brady threw two touchdown passes.

So far this season, both Rodgers and Brady have to be in the NFL MVP discussion.

Rodgers has had a fabulous year, as he has thrown 30 touchdown passes against just three picks for 2,957 yards. That adds up to a league-leading 119.2 passer rating.

Brady has also had a very nice year, as he has thrown 26 touchdown passes to just six interceptions for 2,998 yards. That adds up to a 101.0 passer rating.

Rodgers' and Brady's seasons are like mirror images of their entire NFL career.

Rodgers has the best all-time passer rating in NFL history with a 106.4 mark and is the only quarterback in league annals to have a passer rating over 100. Brady is ranked sixth in that category with a 96.0 mark.

When one looks back at the numbers that both Rodgers and Brady have put up in their careers, the statistics are mind-boggling. Rodgers has thrown 218 touchdown passes compared to just 55 interceptions for 27,154 yards in his career. Meanwhile, Brady has tossed 385 touchdown passes compared to 140 picks for 52,147 yards in his time as a Patriot.

Brady has won the NFL MVP twice (2007 and 2010), while Rodgers won that same award in 2011.

Brady has won three Super Bowls and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII, while Rodgers has won one Super Bowl, and he was the MVP of that contest (Super Bowl XLV).

On Sunday, both Rodgers and Brady have a number of weapons that they will utilize on offense.

As I mentioned earlier, both Rodgers and Brady have a running game that helps to balance the passing game.

The Packers have Eddie Lacy, who has rushed for 672 yards and six touchdowns. No. 27 is also dangerous in the passing game, as he has 29 catches for 339 yards and three more scores.

When the Pats want to run the ball, they can turn to Jonas Gray, who ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns against Indianapolis two weeks ago, or newly reacquired LeGarrette Blount, who ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns against Detroit last week.

The Patriots also have Shane Vereen, who has 340 yards rushing this year but is more of a threat in the passing game, with 43 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns.

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When it comes to the passing game, Rodgers loves to look to either Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb, as both wide receivers have had outstanding seasons. Nelson has 68 receptions for 1,066 yards and nine touchdowns, while Cobb has 58 catches for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns.

When Brady looks downfield, he loves to get the ball to tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has 58 catches for 812 yards and nine touchdowns.

Both the Packers and Patriots want to pressure the quarterback, but at the same time focus on their opponents' key weapons. That will not be an easy task.

The Packers are 13th in the NFL in passing defense, while the Patriots are 17th. Both secondaries have kept the opposing quarterbacks to low passer ratings. The Packers have kept the opposing quarterback to an 80.2 passer rating, while the Pats have held their competition at quarterback to an 82.0 passer rating.

In terms of turnovers, the Packers have forced 23 (15 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries), while the Pats have forced 20 of them (12 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries).

The Packers have 27 sacks, while the Patriots have 25.

Bottom line: You better have this game recorded on your DVR, as this could be one of those contests that fans will never forget. That's what happens when two of the very best quarterbacks in NFL history face each other in a very important matchup late in the season.

In fact, this game might be an early look at the two teams who will be in Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona on February 1.

That would be another game for the ages, just like this game appears to be.

Rodgers vs. Brady: It doesn't get much better than that.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.