The matchup between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning was the highlight of many games between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots. The team has been among the best in the AFC when these two quarterbacks have taken the field.
The two met 12 times in the regular season, and Brady’s Patriots won 9 times. After losing his first two playoff games, Manning won his final three, including two against the Denver Broncos.
Tom Brady’s snaps dominate Peyton Manning’s Colts early
The first meeting is in September. On December 30, 2001, Brady made his first career start after replacing the injured Drew Bledsoe. Going into the game, it looked like a mismatch on paper, with Manning the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and Brady the No. 199 pick in the 2000 draft.
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In Game 1, the Patriots led 23-0 in the third quarter and easily won 44-13. Brady completed 13-of-23 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions, while Manning completed 20-of-34 passes for 196 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
In 2001, the two teams were in the AFC East and had two meetings. Less than a month later, New England won another big victory in Indianapolis. In January 2002, with Brady at quarterback, the Patriots won the first of six Super Bowls.
The Patriots won Brady Manning’s first four games of the regular season. Manning is averaging more than 266 yards passing per game with eight touchdowns and five interceptions, while Brady is averaging more than 235 yards passing per game with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Manning’s first victory over Brady and the Patriots came in 2005, when the Colts won 40-21 on the road. Manning threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns in the loss, while Brady threw for three touchdowns.
The following January, New England would eliminate Indianapolis from the playoffs for the second consecutive year and capture its third championship in four seasons.
Manning’s turning point vs. Brady
Following the 2006 regular season, the Colts faced the Patriots at home in the AFC Championship Game for the first time. Indianapolis was upset at home by the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and has a strong chance of advancing to the Super Bowl.
As the Patriots entered halftime with a 21-6 lead, they appeared to be on their way to another Super Bowl. Indianapolis tied the game at 21 in the third quarter, but New England took its third straight lead the rest of the way.
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Joseph Addai’s three-yard rushing touchdown gave the Colts a 38-34 lead with a minute left. Brady’s interception in the final twenty seconds helped Indianapolis win the Super Bowl.
Manning earned the win with 349 passing yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing score. Brady passed for 232 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. The Colts then defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, and Manning was named the game’s MVP.
The Patriots won 18 straight in 2007, including a 7-0 road victory over the Colts in Week 9, 24-20. New England’s dream of an undefeated season ended in Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants and Payton’s brother Eli.
Payton moves to Denver
When Manning joined the Broncos for the 2012 season, the rivalry continued. Denver’s first game against New England had the same outcome as Indianapolis’ first game. Despite Manning passing for 337 yards and three touchdowns, the Broncos trailed by 24 points and ultimately lost 31-21.
Brady and the Patriots won all three regular-season games against Manning’s Broncos but lost twice in the AFC Championship Game in Denver.
The last time the two met was in the AFC Champions League after the 2015 season. Brady passed for 310 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Manning passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns in Denver’s 20-18 victory.
Manning and the Broncos then won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers in the final game of the legendary quarterback’s career.
In 17 games against Manning, Brady had the upper hand, winning 11 of them.
Against Manning’s team, Brady passed for 4,323 yards, 32 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Manning, meanwhile, threw for 4,985 yards, 35 touchdowns and 22 interceptions against the Brady-led Patriots.
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