Here's why Peyton Manning is a better playoff QB (barely) than Tom Brady
One stat says Peyton Manning is better than Tom Brady in the playoffs. Take that, narrative.
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1 min read
By topping the Patriots on Sunday, the Broncos are giving Peyton Manning a chance to rewrite his narrative.
To this point, Manning's been branded as an all-time great quarterback in the regular season and a disappointing choke come playoff time. Meanwhile, the quarterback on the losing end Sunday, Tom Brady, is often regarded as the best playoff and clutch quarterback in the history of the league. If Manning caps his career with his second Super Bowl, the naysayers are bound to disappear faster than Brady's pass protection.
But maybe that narrative, regardless of what happens in two weeks, is unfair to Manning. Because, even before Super Bowl 50, at least one stat says Manning is a better playoff quarterback than Brady. After Sunday's game, Manning now boasts a higher career passer rating in the playoffs than Brady -- just barely.
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Manning's postseason passer rating: 88.1
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Brady's postseason passer rating: 88.0
Take that, narrative.
Is the stat a perfect way to measure quarterbacks? Nope. Has Manning been flawless in the postseason? Nope. Is Manning a better quarterback than Brady? That's a debate that probably shouldn't be determined by a couple stats alone -- not just passer ratings and not just Super Bowl rings, which the Brady supporters will undoubtedly point to. And yes, let's take time to acknowledge that Brady holds the NFL record for playoff touchdowns (56) and passing yards (7,957).
But Manning hasn't been as bad as he's made out to be. And really, it shouldn't take another Super Bowl ring for him to shake an unfair narrative.
Wink of the CBS eye to @_MarcusD_ for the GIF and Pro Football Reference for the stats.
