NFL Czar: Manning – Brady always a classic
When it comes to rivalries in the NFL, none are more prominent than that between two of the best quarterbacks of our time, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Well, on the Sunday Night Football stage, we will see the tenth ever matchup between these two great players.
This is the seventh year in a row these teams have met in the regular season, and it is a series that has been dominated by Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Pats lead the series 6-3, but this time they have to enter the unfriendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Not only is this game important for the two quarterbacks, both teams are fighting for bye weeks in the AFC playoff picture. Also, both teams come in with high-flying offenses, and will look to score early and often in this one.
Key Matchups
1. Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady: Obviously, this will be the focal point of this game. These two quarterbacks have dominated this decade, and neither look to stop that any time soon. Brady has the better supporting cast, but Manning has been consistent all year without the best players around him.
2. Dwight Freeney vs Matt Light: I have spent a lot of time talking about Steelers OT Max Starks in this column, but now I talk about Light. He isn't the greatest at pass protection, and has always had troubles with Freeney. Look for a lot of double teams on Freeney, trying to slow him down and keeping Brady upright.
3. Randy Moss vs Reggie Wayne: These are two of the top wide receivers in the league, and it's not just because they have legendary quarterbacks throwing them the ball. Moss has breathtaking speed, and Wayne runs the best routes in football. Every team in the NFL has trouble stopping these guys.
The Rundown
There will be a ton of points scored in this game, that much I will guarantee. One thing I can't put my finger on is who will win. While both quarterbacks will be primed and ready to go, I can't see a distinct advantage for either.
After all of this, I am going to take the Patriots to win on the road, by a score of 34-31.
Next week, Manning takes his game a couple hours to the east to take on one of the league's toughest defences.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
This is the seventh year in a row these teams have met in the regular season, and it is a series that has been dominated by Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Pats lead the series 6-3, but this time they have to enter the unfriendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Not only is this game important for the two quarterbacks, both teams are fighting for bye weeks in the AFC playoff picture. Also, both teams come in with high-flying offenses, and will look to score early and often in this one.
Key Matchups
1. Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady: Obviously, this will be the focal point of this game. These two quarterbacks have dominated this decade, and neither look to stop that any time soon. Brady has the better supporting cast, but Manning has been consistent all year without the best players around him.
2. Dwight Freeney vs Matt Light: I have spent a lot of time talking about Steelers OT Max Starks in this column, but now I talk about Light. He isn't the greatest at pass protection, and has always had troubles with Freeney. Look for a lot of double teams on Freeney, trying to slow him down and keeping Brady upright.
3. Randy Moss vs Reggie Wayne: These are two of the top wide receivers in the league, and it's not just because they have legendary quarterbacks throwing them the ball. Moss has breathtaking speed, and Wayne runs the best routes in football. Every team in the NFL has trouble stopping these guys.
The Rundown
There will be a ton of points scored in this game, that much I will guarantee. One thing I can't put my finger on is who will win. While both quarterbacks will be primed and ready to go, I can't see a distinct advantage for either.
After all of this, I am going to take the Patriots to win on the road, by a score of 34-31.
Next week, Manning takes his game a couple hours to the east to take on one of the league's toughest defences.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
