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Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Rivalry: Analyzing Playoff History

By Connor Fulton

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on from the field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on from the field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Peyton Manning Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2013 AFC Championship Game – Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Brady: 24 of 38, 277 yards, touchdown, no interceptions

Manning: 32 of 43, 400 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions

It had been seven years since the last time Brady and Manning renewed their postseason rivalry, but the result was the season: a victory for Manning. This was the second time Brady played in Denver in January, as the Patriots’ loss in the 2005 Divisional Round in the Mile High City marked Brady’s first career playoff loss.

How did Patriots react to win over Chiefs?   

You may remember that Wes Welker knocked Aqib Talib out of this game on a questionable blindside hit. Without Talib in the lineup, the Patriots’ secondary had no answers for Manning and the high-flying Denver aerial attack. Demaryius Thomas, in particular, burned the Patriots for 134 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.

Although he caught 10 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, Julian Edelman should have had a better stat line. Had Brady not missed him on an open deep pass, this could have been a very different game.

It didn’t help that the Patriots’ ground attack produced just 57 yards. Hopefully, this time around, Brady gets more of a helping hand from Steven Jackson, Brandon Bolden and James White.

Next: Concluding the analysis

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