FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In advance of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich offered an interesting analysis of quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

“They’re like wine, they’re just getting better with age,” Ninkovich said.

The stats would seem to back up that claim. At 37, Brady is on pace for 36 touchdowns this season, a total that would be his highest since 2011. Meanwhile, Manning, who is tied for the league lead with 22 so far this season, is on pace for a remarkable 50 touchdowns at age 38.

“He’s a tremendous football player and he knows so much. He’s seen it all,” Ninkovich said of Manning. “You can’t fool the guy. Again, exciting to play against a guy that’s so good. I’m super excited to play against one of the best ever.”

Having spent six years as a full-time player with the Patriots, Ninkovich has seen his fair share of Manning and isn’t any bit surprised at the high level he’s played at this season. It’s no different than last season, when Manning set multiple records on his way to a Super Bowl appearance.

Of course, to get to the Super Bowl the Broncos had to get through New England in the AFC Championship Game -- a game that Ninkovich has looked back on in preparation for this Sunday’s rematch.

“You definitely watch that game,” Ninkovich said. “You see some things that they were able to do against you. You know that those could be repeated. So you watch the game, you see the things that they were doing well and you try and stop those.”

The task is easier said than done. Both offensively and defensively, the Broncos have shown improvement this year, garnering attention by many as the top team in the league and a Super Bowl favorite. Their 6-1 record, however, proves that they are beatable, something that makes them no different than every other team the Patriots have played.

“Every week is a new challenge,” Ninkovich said. “This week presents another challenge for us. We’ve got to stay mentally tough and understand that this is a great football team coming into our house and we’ve got to go out there and play at a high level.

“It’s not just one area in these games, everyone’s got to play well. It’s a team game. All three phases have to play tough. Again, it’s a very talented team. Everyone has got to go out there and do their job and play hard.”

While much of the focus will no doubt surround Brady and Manning on Sunday, both teams’ defenses figure to have to play their best in order to knock the other’s quarterback off his game.

After all, even the finest wine has its flaws.