The Return of Tom Brady: Opposition Beware

The Brady-Manning debate was raging. Tom Brady supporters said he had the rings and solid stats to back him up. Peyton Manning supporters countered he had a ring and sensational stats to back him up. People vouched, “Give Brady targets, and he’ll be a statistical freak!” Guess what? They were right. When Tom Terrific was given Randy Moss and Wes Welker as wide receivers, he threw a record 50 touchdown passes in one season, previously a record held by Manning (49). For most, the debate was settled. Brady was clearly the better quarterback, as he had compiled more rings with weaker targets, and he had finally started to compete with Manning statistically. Brady detractors scoffed he had done in one season what Manning had been doing his whole career. Unfortunately for Manning, the NFL is about winning. More players are remembered for winning than putting up great numbers. No quarterback has won as much as Brady has this decade. Manning measures just 1/3 of Brady in ...