I hope everybody savored the latest edition of Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning. The two have now played against each other 16 times in their careers, and the coverage associated with the games is bigger than ever. The week leading up to a head-to-head matchup between the two always seems to come with an extensive debate over their respective legacies, with each side having its own fancy infographics. If you have the stomach to pay attention to the announcers during the live broadcast of the game, you are sure to hear the phrases “future hall of famers” and “some of the greatest to ever play the game” ad nauseam. Whenever there is an instance of Brady versus Manning it is impossible to escape, and the NFL wouldn’t want it any other way.
From a business standpoint, it makes perfect sense. Brady and Manning are the biggest names in the biggest American sports league. They sell jerseys, put people in seats and make franchises relevant. As much as I mock announcers for the way they gush on air about Brady and Manning, the comments about them being two of the all-time greats are certainly legitimate.
The thing that doesn’t quite add up about the rivalry is the fact that Brady and Manning are both currently playing some of the best football of their careers. Over the course of their careers, it is easy to see that the NFL's rules have drastically changed to their benefit. The NFL is as pass-friendly as it has ever been. There are restrictions on the times and the places you are allowed to hit a quarterback. Defensive backs are not allowed to hand-check receivers after five yards and certainly can’t light up defenseless receivers as they could in the NFL of old.
A lot of the rule changes in the NFL have been positive developments for player safety. They also have had the additional effect of deepening and prolonging the Brady versus Manning rivalry. The offensive environment of the new NFL has allowed the two to assault the record books. Manning recently overtook Brett Favre as the all-time leader in passing touchdowns, and with the talent the Broncos have assembled in Denver, he should be able to increase that lead. With regard to health, the additional protection afforded to quarterbacks is nice insurance as Brady and Manning continue to age. Brady and Manning have both talked about playing football into their 40s, and it is starting to look plausible in today’s NFL.
But Brady and Manning will eventually both have to retire, and the league will be sad to see them go. What will be interesting to see is how the changes brought about in the Manning and Brady era affect the league and its future course. Most of the penalty rules are linked to health issues, so it is unlikely for many of them to be reversed. Those who follow after Brady-and-Manning will therefore have all of the opportunity necessary to accrue gaudy stats. They will also have the benefit of the Brady-Manning vacuum. The NFL needs its celebrities, and while it will be hard to replace the two instantly, the conditions that helped preserve Brady and Manning seem great to prop up new talent. Enjoy the Brady and Manning rivalry while it is here, but with the rule conditions and the media’s affinity for the rivalry narrative, maybe we will get to see something like it again sometime soon.
A celebrity league
