Tom Brady Vs. Peyton Manning: Can Any Rivalry Replace It?
By Erik Lambert
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) meets with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after the 2013 AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
There is no doubt the best player vs. player rivalry in the NFL is Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. However, that is bound to end soon. As the football world mourns this inevitable loss of compelling annual drama, it begs the question. Is there another rivalry building somewhere in the league that has a chance to possibly replace it? Here are a few candidates that may have a chance.
Drew Brees vs. Aaron Rodgers
Who can’t love a rivalry where lots of points are scored? Since 2011, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints have played Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers three times. The first two times were at Lambeau Field, in which Rodgers prevailed in nail-biting fashion 42-34 and 28-27. Brees however returned the favor last week as the Saints rode a second half points burst to trounce the Packers 44-23 at the Superdome. What makes this rivalry less notable is that the two quarterbacks, somehow, have never met in the playoffs. That needs to change in order for it to gain traction.
Russell Wilson vs. Colin Kaepernick
Not just inter-conference but inter-divisional. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are known more for their defenses but a huge part of their success is the quarterbacks. Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick are eerily similar. Both are highly athletic, mobile quarterbacks with rocket arms. Their meeting in the NFC Championship last season was an example of how heated and entertaining their rivalry can get. Both are still very young and showing signs of maturation. That means their games will only get more exciting as the years pass. Provided of course their teams don’t undergo any major changes.
Andrew Luck vs. Joe Flacco
Bet nobody expected this one? Why should they? Joe Flacco has had a rivalry much more prominent with Ben Roethlisberger over the years and Andrew Luck really has nobody in the AFC South even remotely comparable to him. However, these two have quietly started a little see-saw tiff of their own. Flacco got things started by introducing Luck to playoff football back in 2012, knocking the Colts out in the wild card round en route to a Super Bowl title. Luck has since returned the favor, handing Baltimore its first loss after a stretch of three-straight wins. Flacco is still just 29-years old, so this rivalry has a chance to really blossom provided they meet more often in the future.