Nick O'Malley | nomalley@masslive.com

Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning: A complete history

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Winslow Townson

1. Sept. 30, 2001, Foxboro Stadium - Brady's first career start

Patriots 44 - Indianapolis Colts: 13

Not much was expected from this game, which ultimately began the launching point for a Patriots dynasty, Brady's career and one of the greatest rivalries in the league.

Manning, who was already in his third year as a starting QB, was facing the no-name backup for injured Patriots starter Drew Bledsoe. The Patriots responded by blowing the doors off the Colts, with the first of many memorable games in which the duel between Manning and Patriots coach Bell Belichick's schemes resulted in a win for the defense.

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

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2. Oct. 21, 2001, RCA Dome - Brady goes up 2-0

Patriots 38 - Colts 17

This was back when the Patriots and Colts were still in the AFC East together, resulting in two games per year. The Patriots won once again en route to their first Super Bowl title.

(AP Photo)

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3. Nov. 30, 2003, RCA Dome - The goal line stand

Patriots 38 - Colts 34

This was the first game that indicated that this rivalry would be special.

The Colts, with the ball just short of the goal line in the final seconds, needed a touchdown to win the game. However, Indy RB Edgerrin James was stuffed at the goal line by Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest. Once again, the D won out.

(AP Photo)

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4: Jan. 18, 2004, Gillette Stadium - 2003 AFC Divisional Round

Patriots 24 - Colts 14

The first playoff matchup between Brady in Manning was a cold-weather affair that showed the first signs of a lopsided rivalry, and whispers of a "curse" for Manning.

(AP Photo)

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5: Sept. 9, 2004, Gillette Stadium - Brady improves to 5-0

Patriots 27- Colts 24

Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a potential game-tying field goal from 48 yards out -- after he'd his past 42 attempts -- as Brady (26-of-38, 335 yards) outdid Manning (16-of-29, 256 yards) through the air.

(AP Photo)

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6. Jan. 16, 2005, Gillette Stadium - 2004 AFC Championship Game

Patriots 20 - Colts 3

The Patriots' DBs pummeled Manning's receivers in a decisive playoff win in Foxboro that encapsulated the team's early dominance over the Colts. Much like the rule changes that came as a result of this game (as some would say), the whole rivalry began to shift after this game.

(AP Photo)

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7: Nov. 7, 2005, Gillette Stadium - Manning gets first win against Brady

Colts 40 - Patriots 21

Manning finally got the monkey off his back with a win at Gillette Stadium.

(AP Photo)

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8: Nov. 5, 2006, Gillette Stadium - Colts win to improve to 8-0

Colts 27 - Patriots 20

Manning won back-to-back matchups as the Colts rolled through the 2006 regular season.

(AP Photo)

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9: Jan. 21, 2007, RCA Dome - 2006 AFC Championship Game ('The Comeback')

Colts 38 - Patriots 34

The Colts overcame a 21-3 deficit, scoring 32 second-half points en route to the AFC Championship and Manning's first Super Bowl victory. Brady's magic in the playoffs fizzled out for the first time when Marlin Jackson picked him off to end the game.

(AP Photo)

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10: Nov. 4, 2007, RCA Dome - The Undefeated Bowl

Patriots 24 - Colts 20

The 8-0 Patriots topped the 7-0 Colts and powered straight through the regular season, finishing 16-0.

(AP Photo)

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Unofficial (Brady sidelined): Nov. 2, 2008, Lucas Oil Stadium - Matt Cassel starts for an injured Brady

Colts 18 - Patriots 15

Brady missed almost the entire season as a result of a Week 1 knee injury as the Colts got another win against the Patriots. However, the game didn't have quite the same flair.

(AP Photo)

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11: Nov. 15, 2009, Lucas Oil Stadium - 'Fourth-and-2'

Colts 35 - Patriots 34

The Manning-Brady reunion was one to remember. A last-minute touchdown by Manning won it. However, the legacy for this game will forever be the controversial decision by Belichick to go for it on fourth-and-2 on the Pats' end of the field. A Brady pass to Kevin Faulk in the flat was ruled short, giving Manning the chance to score the game-winning TD on a short field.

(AP Photo)

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12: Nov. 21, 2010, Gillette Stadium - Final installment in Indy

Patriots 31 - Colts 28

No one knew it at the time, but this would be the last time Manning would face off against Brady while still in a Colts uniform. For a moment, it seemed like Manning was set to make another comeback, but an interception by James Sanders sealed the win for New England.

(AP Photo)

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Unofficial: Dec. 4, 2011, Gillette Stadium - Pats beat Manning-less Colts

Patriots 31 - 24 Colts

Once again, Brady and Manning's teams face each other, but one misses the game due to injury. This time, it was Manning, who was recovering from neck surgery.

(AP Photo

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13: Oct. 7, 2012, Gillette Stadium - Brady beats Manning's Broncos

Patriots 31 - Broncos 21

The new-look Manning-Brady rivalry reverted back to the days of New England's dominance. The Patriots' no-huddle offense was too much for the Broncos, who fell short in Gillette, despite a late comeback.

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14: Nov. 24, 2013, Gillette Stadium - Pats come back from 24-0 halftime deficit

Patriots 34 - Broncos 31 (OT)

The Patriots fell apart in the first half, fumbling six times and having nary a chance to put much of any offense together. They figured it out in the second half, storming back to tie the game at 31 at the end of regulation before Bill Belichick made the bold choice to take the wind after winning the overtime coin toss. It ended up working in his team's favor.

(AP Photo)

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15: Jan. 19, 2014, Sports Authority Field at Mile High - 2014 AFC Championship Game

Broncos 26 - Patriots 16

Tom Brady struggled and the Patriots offense failed to score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. At that point, it was too little too late as the Broncos maintained control of the game and earned a trip to the Super Bowl.

(AP Photo)

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16: Nov. 2, 2014, Gillette Stadium - Patriots roll over Broncos

Patriots 43 - Broncos 21

After struggling early in the season (i.e. the blowout loss in Kansas City), the Patriots finally put the pieces together when going up against the top of the AFC. The Broncos were the high point of a mid-season surge that pushed them back into playoff contention and -- eventually -- Super Bowl champions.

(AP Photo)

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Unofficial: Nov. 29, 20, 2015, Sports Authority Field at Mile Hile - Osweiler starts, Broncos win

Broncos 30 - Patriots 24 (OT)

For a while, it looked like the Brady-Manning rivalry was over as Brock Osweiler led his team to the overtime win. Even with an offense held together by duct tape, Brady somehow managed to score late to force overtime. However, a long touchdown run by C.J. Anderson iced the game.

(AP Photo)

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17: Jan. 23, 2016, Sports Authority Field at Mile High - 2015 AFC Championship Game

Patriots at Broncos

Despite Manning's regular season struggles and Brady's offseason court battles, it's all back to this: Brady-Manning XVII with a trip to the Super Bowl (and untold impact on each QB's legacy) on the line. Heading into the game, Brady holds a 11-5 overall lead. However, it's tied 2-2 when it comes to playoff encounters.

(AP Photo)