Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning: The Great Quarterback Debate

In an ongoing battle between the Indianapolis Colts fan base and the New England Patriots fan base, we have a debate as to who is better: Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

Although each quarterback is great in his own right, I would like to break down the statistical makeup of each player and, at least for now, determine which quarterback is truly deserving of the title of supremacy.

Completion Percentage

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-17. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

To determine this value, take the number of completions and divide that by the number of attempts.

Whether it be the regular season, post season, or overall, Peyton Manning leads this category over Tom Brady. Although the difference between each quarterback is minimal, the numbers lean towards Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning - 64.77%

Tom Brady - 63.43%

Touchdown Percentage

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

To determine this value, take the number of touchdowns and divide that by the number of attempts.

The odd thing about this statistic is that Tom Brady leads if you isolate either regular season or post season numbers, but Peyton Manning squeaks out the overall numbers by the smallest of margins.

Peyton Manning - 5.398%

Tom Brady - 5.396%

Interception Percentage

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

To determine this value, take the number of interceptions and divide that by the number of attempts.

Whether it be regular season, post season, or overall, Tom Brady leads this category over Peyton Manning. Although the difference between each quarterback is minimal, the numbers lean towards Tom Brady.

Peyton Manning - 2.737%

Tom Brady - 2.207%

Yards Per Attempt

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

To determine this value, take the number of yards and divide that by the number of attempts. 

Whether it be the regular season, post season, or overall, Peyton Manning leads this category over Tom Brady. Although the difference between each quarterback is minimal, the numbers lean towards Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning - 7.595

Tom Brady - 7.261

Quarterback Rating

Marc Serota/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 3, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

To determine this value, there is a complicated equation which factors all of the values we have covered. 

Tom Brady leads if you isolate the regular season numbers, but Peyton Manning leads in post season and overall numbers.  Although the difference between each quarterback is minimal, the numbers lean towards Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning - 94.297

Tom Brady - 93.987

Conclusion

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won the game 35-34. (Phot

Both of these players are extremely close from top to bottom, but there is a small window that indicates Peyton Manning is slightly better than Tom Brady.

However, there are other factors that you could argue in favor of Tom Brady, such as how Tom Brady has played in four Super Bowl's with only one interception while Peyton Manning has played in two Super Bowl's with two interceptions.

In any case, my conclusion is that both players are at the top of the elite pedestal for quarterbacks and we will not be able to truly determine a winner until they are both long finished with their careers.