Patriots and Broncos to Meet in Denver For AFC Title Game

Manning vs Brady Round 1

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning met for the first time, early in the 2001 season. The Patriots and Colts were in the same division at this time, so this was actually the first of two regular season meetings. 

In this game, Tom Brady went 13 of 23 for 168 yards in route to a Patriots 44-13 win. Manning threw three interceptions in the game. 

Manning as Bronco

After taking a year off to recover from neck surgery, Peyton Manning returned to the NFL but this time as a Denver Bronco. The rivalry took a bit of a different tone in this game because the rivalry between the Patriots and Broncos wasn't quite there like it had been with the Colts. 

Tom Brady went 23 for 31 for 223 yards and one touchdown pass in route to a Patriots 31-21 victory at Gillette Stadium. Peyton Manning went 31 for 44 for 337 yards and three touchdown passes.

Manning as Colt last time

No one knew this at the time of course but the week 11 matchup in 2010 between the Patriots and Colts would be the last time Tom Brady and the Patriots would see Manning in Colts colors. 

In the game Tom Brady went 19 of 25 for 186 yards and two touchdowns while Manning went 38 of 52 for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He threw three interceptions including one that sealed the 31-28 win for the Patriots. 

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

2013 week 12 "comeback"

The Patriots went down 24-0 in the first half at a frigid Gillette Stadium against a high powered Colts offense. But then, they summoned some second half magic. Brady and the Patriots scord 31 straight points to take the lead before Manning tied the game up and sent it to overtime. In OT fomer Patriot Wes Welker miss played a punt and the Pats recovered setting up a game winning field goal for Gostkowski. Patriots won 34-31. 

Brady went 34 of 50 for 344 yards and three touchdowns while Manning was 19 of 36 for 150 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. 

Manning beats Brady

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning met up in week 9 of the 2005 season. Coming into this game, Brady and the Patriots were 6-0 against Peyton Manning and the Colts, Manning desperatly needed a win.

Both quarterbacks were tremendous, Manning went 28 of 37 for 321 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while Brady went 22 of 33 for 265 yards with three touchdowns.

The Colts went on to win the game 40-21 giving Manning his first win over Tom Brady.

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

2009 Week 10 "4th and 2"

Maybe the most memorable regular season game between the two came in 2009 in Indianapolis. Leading 34-28 in the fourth quarter, Bill Belichick decided to go for it on 4th and 2 instead of punt the ball away. Brady threw a pass to Kevin Faulk who came up just short of the first down marker. Manning scored easily and the Colts won 35-34. 

Manning went 28 of 44 for 327 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while Brady 29 of 42 for 375 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. 

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

2004 AFC Divisional Round

Peyton Manning came into this game looking for payback from the previous years AFC Championship but the Patriots defense had other ideas at a soggy Gillette Stadium. 

Brady went 18 of 27 for 144 yards and one touchdown, he also ran one in himself, while Manning went 27 of 42 for 238 yards and one interception. The Patriots won the game 20-3 and would go on to win their second straight Super Bowl and third in four years. 

2014 AFC Championship

For the first time since the 2006 AFC Championship game, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were back in the conference title game together. This one was played in Denver which has proved to be a house of horrors for the Patriots over the years, and it proved to be once again. 

Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns leading the Broncos to a 26-16 victory over Brady and the Patriots. Brady threw for 277 yards and one touchdown in the game but it wasn't enough. 

2003 AFC Championship

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning meet in a playoff game for the first time at a snowy Gillette Stadium, with the winner goes to the Super Bowl. 

Tom Brady went 22 of 37 for 237 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Patriots defense dominated the day, picking off Manning four times in the game. 

The Patriots won the game 24-14 and advanced, and won, their second Super Bowl in three years. 

2006 AFC Championship

Brady and Manning met in the AFC Championship for the second time but this one was in Indianapolis. This game proves to be one of the most important games of the rivalry and for Patriots fans, one of the most heartbreaking ones. 

Brady went 21 of 34 for 232 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Manning went 27 of 47 for 349 yards with one touchdown and one interception in route to a come from behind 38-34 win. 

Manning went on to win his first Super Bowl. 

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda