Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been two quarterbacks that set a benchmark for success in the NFL. Both have broken NFL records. Both have won MVP titles. Both have won Super Bowls. Going head-to-head in the AFC title game certainly makes for a battle of the classics as both the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots look to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.
In Brady's last matchup with Denver, the quarterback helped rally form 24-0 halftime deficit to get the overtime win. Manning was held to just a 52.8 completion percent and 70.4 passer rating, the worst of his season. Brady has the upper hand in the matchups. He has won 10 of 14 games against the Mannings including a 2-1 postseason record.
Manning will also have Brady's former favorite target, Wes Welker. The wide receiver was the marquee free agent last offseason. After six strong seasons with the Patriots, he made the jump to the Broncos for an extra year on the contract and more money. Welker would not dive into the quarterback comparisons before the AFC title matchup, but said he was spoiled during his career by both.
Brady has had a more quiet season as his receiving corps has been one of the more inconsistent units for the team. The Patriots will also be forced to rely heavily on their running back LeGarrette Blount who has become a star this season. The running back has had multiple career-high games this season. Running in tandem with Stevan Ridley has certainly helped. The two backs have taken pressure off Brady who has been without his three former top targets this season.
With the future remaining unknown for Manning, this could be the final matchup between the two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Manning is on his way to another MVP-style season after breaking and setting records with 55 touchdowns. However, Manning has not been the story of the Denver Broncos season. Running back Knowshon Moreno has had a return-to-form year. He put up a career-high 1,038 yards this season. He had a career-best 224 this year when the Broncos played the Patriots earlier in the year
The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots meeting in the AFC championship game is being called a battle of the classics. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning represent two of the original style quarterbacks in the league as teams go more with a mobile style player. While the quarterbacks are the players in the spotlight during the title game, the rushing and secondary will be the keys to winning the game.