Tom Brady v Peyton Manning, A Rivarly Since 2001

Since they were first drafted into the NFL in 2001, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been rivals. The Herald’s Brian Swierzewski takes a look at both men.

Brian Swierzewski, Staff Reporter '16
November 14, 2014

For The Indianapolis Colts’ in first pick of the 1998 NFL Draft they selected Peyton Manning from Tennessee. The New England Patriots selected Tom Brady from Michigan in the 6^th round, but he was the 199^th pick overall. The two quarterbacks first met on Tom Brady’s first start ever September 30^th 2001. The winless Patriots crushed the 2-0 Colts 44-13. Ever since that meeting in 2001, it has been a fourteen year rivalry which is still going strong.

Tom Brady, in training camp 2000, fighting for the third string spot, looked Robert Kraft (Patriots’ owner) and told him “I’m the best decision this organization has ever made”. Brady made the team that year, won the second string spot, then Pro-bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots got hurt on a third down run playing against the New York Jets. Tommy never looked back, he led the Patriots to their first Superbowl against a heavily favored Rams team led by Kurt Warner. Brady’s legacy continued after he led them to a second Superbowl in 2003, then another one in 2004. Then in 2007, he led the Patriots to an undefeated season and broke Peyton Manning’s 44 touchdown passes in a season, by 6 touchdowns. Brady won the MVP that year, then won again in 2011. Brady’s .775 win percentage is the greatest in NFL history, “a natural born leader” Coach Belichick says. A sure Hall of Famer in the future.

Peyton Manning, coming off neck surgery after the 2011 season, no one thought he’d be the same. Simple to say, they were wrong. Number one of the list of career touchdown passes, with 509 surpassed Brett Farve the previous holder. Peyton also went 16 touchdown passes without one interception to start off this 2014 season. His .696 win percentage is the second best as a quarterback in NFL history, following #12. He won the 2013 league MVP by a landslide after breaking Tom Brady’s touchdown pass record by 6 touchdowns. #18 is as consistent as it gets and will be in The Hall of Fame. Manning was embarrassed last year against

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been on opposite sides and in competition since 2001.

Who is the best? Manning has the better stats, but Manning also only won 5 out of his 16 games against Brady. Brady led his Patriots to a 43-21 beat down against Manning and his Broncos on November 2^nd. This is not the first time Brady embarrassed Manning, last year, down by 3 touchdowns at the half, Brady led his Patriots to what seemed to be impossible win 34-31. In 2007, Manning’s “Super Colts” got some of the ’07 Patriots “Humble Pie” in a 24-20 loss, coming from a late comeback from the comeback kid himself, Tom Brady. If it comes to money, Manning asks for more and more each season, Tom plays for the game. Manning making $229,732,000 since 2000 asking his General Managers for the most expensive contracts possible. Tom, on the other hand, is much less money craving making $154,779,500 since 2001.

When it comes down to what really matters, I believe it comes down to head to head matches against the two. Brady is 11-5, here is a recap of the 16 games:

Sept. 30^th 2001 Patriots 44-13

Nov. 30^th 2003 Patriots 38-34

Sept.9^th 2004 Patriots 27-24

Jan. 18^th 2004 Patriots 24-14

Jan. 16th 2005 Patriots 20-3

Oct. 21^st 2005 Patriots 38-17

Nov. 7^th 2005 Colts 40-21

Nov. 5^th 2006 Colts 27-20

Nov. 7^th 2007 Patriots 24-20

Jan. 21^st 2007 Colts 38-34

Nov. 15^th 2009 Colts 35-34

Oct. 7^th 2012 Patriots 31-21