Here is the thing, and God forgive me I have a Colts blanket draped over my lap right now, Brady vs Manning was a very legit debate for a long time. Peyton had the superior numbers and QB records, but a lackluster defense often let him down. Brady had the head to head wins and the rings, and while his numbers were good they weren't top of the NFL numbers because he was on a more balanced team.
The last few years though really push Brady ahead. Once Brady got an actual receiving threat in Randy Moss he started to put up numbers that were comparable to Peyton, even surpassing a few of his records. I'll put a disclaimer on it and say that there were games where the Pats clearly ran up the score. There was a game a few years back, against the Titans I believe, where they were up like 36-0 in the third quarter and they still kept all their starters on offense in and were still using four wide shotgun formations and throwing deep.
When Peyton left Indy, he ended up on a Denver team that had a dominating defense and while he did win a second ring, both times he made it to the Super Bowl with Denver, he was average at the best of times and down right awful at the worse. Even in Indy his playoff performances were marred with games that a player who was in the conversation of GOAT QB had no business having.
So I have to admit that Brady will go down in history as the better QB, as painful as that is. Peyton had more natural ability and his knowledge of the game is one of the best of all time, but Brady just refuses to slow down.
At least the doofus Manning brother has his number. And for that, I'm eternally greatfull. Also Peyton never broke down and cried awful tears over his draft spot.
