by Jonathan Storti
Sunday night featured a quarterback matchup only NBC TV executives could dream up, …and they did. The showdown featured three-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady against perennial Pro Bowler Peyton Manning. Coming into the game, Manning had guided the Colts to an unbeaten 8-0 record, while Brady’s Patriots were 6-2. The two reigning quarterbacks of the decade faced-off in Indianapolis and neither disappointed. Both quarterbacks threw for multiple touchdowns and consistently led their respective teams down the field. After being down by as many as 17 in the 4th quarter the Colts completed a miraculous comeback. The New England Patriots took the early lead on a long touchdown pass from Brady to his favorite target, Randy Moss. Manning countered in the second quarter by throwing a TD to his favorite target, Reggie Wayne. There was no shortage of fireworks as the two teams combined for 38 first half points. The Patriots strengthened their lead in the second half with yet another Brady to Moss connection. At this point the Patriots led 31-14 in the 4th quarter, with a New England victory seemingly assured. That was until a certain Mr. Manning rallied his team for one of the greatest comebacks in past years.
Manning marched his team down the field for consecutive touchdowns to bring the Colts within 6 points. With two minutes remaining, facing a fourth down deep in their own territory, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots threw convention out the window and went for it. Tom Brady’s pass was caught inches short of the first. Manning then guided the Colts once more, and threw a game winning pass with 18 seconds left in the contest. Perhaps the best game of the season so far, will be remembered for Peyton Manning’s uncanny comeback, and Belichick’s highly questionable call to go for it on fourth down, holding the lead, deep in their own territory. Both Manning and Brady will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and their passing numbers showed why. Manning finished with 327 yards and four touchdowns, while Brady threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns. These two quarterbacks and teams have been battling for supremacy throughout the last decade. It is easy to see why the Colts and Patriots always are Super Bowl contenders; the NFL is a quarterback driven league. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the best at what they do, no else is close to them, no one. Instead of arguing over who is better, we should just appreciate how truly great they are.
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