For years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have played in an NFC South division loaded with some of the NFL's most accomplished quarterbacks.
The New Orleans Saints have had Drew Brees since 2006, and Brees has won a Super Bowl, seven passing titles and two Offensive Player of the Year awards in that span.
The Atlanta Falcons have had Matt Ryan since 2008 and Ryan has an MVP award and a Super Bowl appearance on his resume.
The Carolina Panthers had Cam Newton from 2011 to 2020 (with his departure likely upcoming after being given permission to seek a trade) and Newton also has an MVP award gracing his mantel along with a Super Bowl appearance.
Now the Buccaneers have Tom Brady.
This immediately sets up at least four marquee quarterback matchups for Tampa Bay in 2020, with a pair of games each against Ryan's Falcons and Brees's Saints. The Panthers may or may not still have Newton under center; they've reportedly given him permission to seek a trade. There are two looming MVP-vs.-MVP matchups on the Bucs' schedule in 2020 when the Green Bay Packers (Aaron Rodgers) and the Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes) come to town.
That will be a treat for Buccaneers fans at Raymond James Stadium this fall. Brady has already been a part of some historic and thrilling rivalries with other NFL quarterback greats. The NFC South now features the top two passers of all time in terms of both yards and touchdowns, with Brees slightly ahead of Brady in both categories. Those two have faced off six times in the past (more on that below). Here's a look at new Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his most prominent head-to-head matchups:
Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning: This is possibly the most famous QB matchup in league history, given that Brady and Manning presided over contemporary teams that were in Super Bowl contention against each other year after year, often meeting deep in the postseason. The two quarterbacks started against each other 17 times over 17 seasons, including the playoffs, and Brady's Patriots won 11 of those 17 games.
Brady, obviously, was with New England for that entire span, while Manning was a Colt until joining the Denver Broncos in 2012. Brady was 8-4 against Manning as a Colt and 3-2 against him as a Bronco. Brady's crew won the first six meetings, starting in 2001, before things began to even out.
Brady and Manning met five times in the playoffs, with the Patriots winning two of those five contests, the last two being victories by Manning's Broncos in the 2013 and 2015 AFC Championship Games. Brady's Patriots defeated Manning's Colts in the 2003 AFC Championship Game.
Both Brady and Manning threw more than 600 passes against each other in head-to-head matchups. Brady had a superior TD-INT ratio, 32-15 to Manning's 35-22, and a better overall passer rating, 92.8 to 87.5. During one particularly thrilling stretch from 2009 to 2013, Brady's Patriots met Manning at the helm of first the Colts and then the Broncos four times in the regular season and both future Hall-of-Famers were at the top of their games. Brady completed 70.9% of his passes in those four games and had a TD-INT ratio of 9-1, leading to a 110.4 passer rating. Manning was nearly as hot, completing 65.9% of his passes with a 13-6 TD-INT ratio and a 96.1 passer rating. The Patriots won all four games, scoring at least 31 points each time.
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Tom Brady vs. Ben Roethlisberger: Brady was drafted by New England in the sixth round in 2000 and became a starter in 2001. Roethlisberger was a first-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2004 and stepped right into a starting role. From 2004 through last year, neither the Patriots nor the Steelers ever lost more than eight games in a season, which means the two teams were often fighting for the same prize.
Brady's record against Roethlisberger is strong, with a 9-3 record in head-to-head meetings, including a 2-0 mark in the postseason. Both of those playoff meetings were AFC Championship Games, with Brady and the Patriots prevailing 41-27 in 2004 and 36-17 in 2017. The last time Brady met Roethlisberger, early last year before the Steeler QB's injury, Brady completed 24 of 36 passes for 341 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 33-3 New England victory.
Brady was nothing short of outstanding when facing Roethlisberger and the Steelers. His overall passer rating in those games was a scintillating 112.9, with a 29-5 TD-INT ratio that would represent one superb season against a wide variety of opponents. That's good, too, because Roethlisberger played well in that series for the most part, too, with a 90.7 passer rating of his own and 22 touchdown passes.
View pictures from QB Tom Brady's NFL career thus far.
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2001 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, passes during Brady's first start of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
New England Partiots quarterback Tom Brady hands the ball off during play against the San Diego Chargers in 2001. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sets to pass in the 2001 AFC championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Jan. 27, 2002 in Pittsburgh. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks to pass during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002. The Patriots won 38-7.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 29, 2002. The Chargers defeated the Patriots 21-14 in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass November 28, 2002 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Patriots defeated the Detroit Lions 20 -12 in a Thanksgiving Day matchup. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sets to pass October 6, 2002 in Miami, Florida. The Miami Dolphins defeated the Patriots 26 - 13. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, passes under pressure in the first half from New York Jets defensive ends John Abraham,(94) left, and Shaun Ellis (92), Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N. J. , as Ellis slips Patriots tackle Kenyatta Jones (74). (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Tom Brady, the quarterback who led the AFC New England Patriots to victory in the Super Bowl six days ago, looks for a receiver in the fourth quarter of the AFC's 38-30 win in the Pro Bowl game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Brady sat most of the game, watching as the Oakland Raiders' Rich Gannon stole the show in the Pro Bowl. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady delivers a pass against the Oakland Raiders in Foxboro, Mass., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002. The Patriots play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points out the middle linebacker during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 24-14 in the 2003 AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2004 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 24-14 in the 2003 AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2004 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws between Arizona Cardinals' Russell Davis (98) and Adrian Wilson (24) during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-12.(AP Photo/Matt York)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls signals at the line during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas CIty, Missouri on November 22, 2004. New England won 27-19. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patriots Tom Brady calls an audible during a NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on November 7, 2004. The Patriots won 40-22. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points out the New York Jets coverage during the game in Foxboro, Mass., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. The Patriots won their 21st straight game with a 13-7 victory. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the second half against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday Oct. 3, 2004. The Patriots won, 31-17. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, chats with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning after the Patriots beat the Colts 27-24 Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 in Foxboro, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points to the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, in Kansas City, Mo. The Patriots beat the Chiefs 27-19. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lets go with a pass despite the rush of San Fransisco 49ers Andrew Williams during the third quarter of the Patriots 21-7 win at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005. Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of play. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Tom Brady of the New England Patriots points his finger to the sky as he celebrates a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2005 AFC Championship at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 24, 2005. The Patriots won 41-27. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass the ball during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005 in Foxboro. The Patriots won the AFC divisional playoff game, 20-3. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots unloads a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pats defeated the Steelers 41-27. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning (18) and New England Patriots' Tom Brady pose before an AFC practice for Sunday's Pro Bowl game, at the Iolani Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tosses the ball to San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees during an AFC practice for the upcoming Pro Bowl at the Iolani Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, throws under pressure from Miami Dolphins Jason Taylor (99) during the first quarter in Foxborough,Mass., Sunday, Oct., 8, 2006. New England won, 20-10. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
ATLANTA - AUGUST 11: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots smiles as he watches the action from the sidelines in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on August 11, 2006 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Patriots 26-23. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 8: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes the football against the Miami Dolphins on October 8, 2006 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 20-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes the football against the Minnesota Vikings on October 30, 2006 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 31-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots unloads a pass during pregame warmups against the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on December 10, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins pitched a shutout as they defeated the Patriots 21-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots scrambles against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2006 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Patriots beat the Packers 35-0. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes for a first down in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets in NFL football action Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots won 24-17. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls out a play during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Monday, Oct. 30, 2006. The Patriots beat the Vikings 31-7. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands the ball to running back Corey Dillon (28) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday night, Aug. 19, 2006. The Patriots won 30-3. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Kevin Faulk during his team's 37-16 win over the New York Jets in an AFC wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes the football against the New York Jets at the Giants Stadium on September 9, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 38-14. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during action against the Miami Dolphins on October 21, 2007 in Miami, Florida. New England defeated Miami 49-28. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls blocking assignments as he waits for the snap from Dan Koppen #67 against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 1, 2007 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Patriots defeated the Bengals 34-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
MIAMI - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shouts out play calls against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 21, 2007 in Miami, Florida. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 49-28. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Tom Brady
New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, left, chats with quarterback Tom Brady before the start of their NFL football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls out signals during their football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws past New York Jets' Bryan Thomas during their 20-10 win in a football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), wide receiver Wes Welker (83) and wide receiver Randy Moss, rear, watch their teammates on the video scoreboard during the second quarter of a football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots on the line.The New England Patriots defeat the San Diego Chargers 24-21 in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 14, 2007 in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls out a play from the line in the first quarter of NFL football action in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in Cincinnati. Also pitcured are Bengals' Bryan Robinson (98), Patriots' Nick Kaczur (77) and Russ Hochstein (71). (AP Photo/David Kohl)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches the game opening ceremony before their NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lets a pass go over the pressure from Cleveland Browns' Kamerion Wimbley and Willie McGinest (55) during the second quarter of New England's 34-17 win in a football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. Brady threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the win. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts out signals during their 38-7 win over the Buffalo Bills in a football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. Brady threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns in the win. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, shakes hands with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady following their AFC Divisional playoff football game in San Diego, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. The Patriots won the game 24-21. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Tennessee Titans' David Thornton (50) in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, throws a pass during second-quarter NFL football against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Brady completed 22 of 28 attempts for 297 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots beat the Jets, 38-14. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
xxx runs past xxx during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during their NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass in the third quarter during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points to the defense of the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play while behind center Dan Koppen (67) during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Denver. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) watches a video replay during the NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 27-21. (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with teammate Randy Moss during the first half of a NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes the ball under defensive pressure from Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata (92) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, looks for an free receiver as the Buffalo Bills try to break through during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks to throw against the San Diego Chargers in the first half during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks to pass against the San Diego Chargers in the first half during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to hand off in the second quarter an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tom Brady vs. the Dolphins
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010.(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady points during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dophins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday Jan. 2, 2011.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts instructions during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws during warm ups prior to facing the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday Jan. 2, 2011.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw as his offensive line holds back Miami Dolphins defenisve tackle Randy Starks (94) and linebacker Cameron Wake (91) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) stands with his team during a timeout in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to a teammate before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after scoring a one yard touchdown during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares to take the snap from center during an AFC Championship NFL football Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens on January 22, 2012. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sets up to pass during an AFC Championship NFL football Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens on January 22, 2012. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals at the line of scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday Jan. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
FILE - In this Jan. 1,2012 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during their NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Tom Martinez, the longtime personal coach to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, has died. His wife, Olivia, told the San Mateo Daily Journal that he died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 after suffering a heart attack while receiving dialysis treatment. The San Francisco Chronicle reported he died in Redwood City. He was 67. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady yells as he runs towards fans prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reaches back to pass during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes during the first half of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady yells as he runs onto the field before an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off to running back Danny Woodhead during the first half of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts instructions during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks over his shoulder during the second half of an AFC divisional NFL playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points as he calls out signals at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap of the football during the AFC Championship Football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 19, 2014. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 26-16. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw the ball downfield during the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. Denver won 26-16 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before the AFC Championship NFL playoff football game against Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. Tom Brady reportedly has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Patriots. The deal will significantly lessen Brady's salary cap hit for 2016, which would have been about $15 million. He was due to make $9 million next season and $10 million in 2017. Brady, 38, has often redone his contract to help the Patriots' cap situation. He has said he plans to play well into his 40s. (AP Photo/Gary Hershorn, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during the NFL AFC Divisional football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Texans 34-16. (Matt Patterson via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals a first down during an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 34-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls the play at the line of scrimmage during an NFL AFC Championship football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 36-17 to advance to Super Bowl LI. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots Tom Brady (12) during a game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. . (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares for the snap during an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares for the snap during an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 in Foxborough, MA. New England won 41-28 (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls out signals prior to the snap of the football during an AFC championship NFL football game the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. The Patriots won 37-31 in overtime. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass during an NFL football AFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday, January 13, 2019 in Foxborough. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prior to an NFL football AFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday, January 13, 2019 in Foxborough. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Tom Brady vs. Philip Rivers: Like Roethlisberger, Rivers was drafted in the first round in 2004, though he had to wait for Brees to clear town before becoming the starter in 2006. Over the next 14 seasons, he and Brady would tangle eight times, including three times in the postseason.
Brady and the Patriots won all eight of those games. That included the 2007 AFC Championship Game, which at the time preserved New England's 18-0 record, though Eli Manning and the New York Giants would deny the Patriots a perfect season in Super Bowl XLII. The two most recently met in the 2018 Divisional playoff round, and both Brady and Rivers were masterful in that game, with Brady commanding a 41-28 victory by completing 34 of 44 passes for 343 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees: Brees actually holds a 3-2 edge in the head-to-head series with Brady, though the Patriots have beaten the Saints in each of the last two meetings. Two of Brees's wins came while he was at the helm of the San Diego Chargers in 2002 and 2005.
Brees has been remarkable in his head-to-head games against Brady's teams, throwing 12 touchdown passes and just one interception and compiling a passer rating of 116.1. Brady came back strong in the last two meetings, however, leading the Patriots to a 30-27 win in 2013 and a 36-20 victory in 2017 while compiling a 105.5 passer rating.
Tom Brady vs. Matt Ryan: As interconference foes, Brady and Ryan haven't matched up often, but Brady has definitely had the upper hand. Those two have faced off four times and the Patriots won all four.
Three of those meetings were regular-season contests dating all the way back to 2009, Ryan's second season in the league. One, however, was a much bigger game. New England and Atlanta met in Super Bowl LI at the end of the 2016 season, and the Falcons ran out to a huge 28-3 lead in the third quarter. What followed was the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, as Brady rallied the Patriots to a 28-28 tie at the end of regulation and then won the Lombardi Trophy with a methodical 75-yard touchdown drive to open overtime.
Brady has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception in his games against Ryan's Falcons and most recently completed 21 of 29 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-7 regular-season victory in 2017.
Tom Brady vs. Drew Bledsoe: Brady got his first opportunity to play two games into the Patriots' 2001 season when Bledsoe was sidelined by a vicious hit from Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. He never relinquished the job.
An established star in his own right, Bledsoe had been to three Pro Bowls since being drafted first overall in 1993. After ceding his starting spot to Brady, Bledsoe left for the Buffalo Bills in 2002 and played five more NFL seasons, the last two in Dallas. Moving to Buffalo meant staying in the AFC East and facing Brady's Patriots twice a year.
With one big exception, that rematch with his former teammate didn't go well. Bledsoe went 1-5 as a starter for the Bills against Brady's Patriots, and most of those games were lopsided. Buffalo was outscored by a 156-47 margin in the five losses in that span. The startling outlier was Buffalo's 31-0 blanking of Brady's Patriots in the opening weekend of 2003. Bledsoe only threw for 230 yards and one touchdown in that game but Brady was picked off four times.
That proved to be an almost incomprehensible outlier. New England won 17 of its next 18 games, including Super Bowl XXXVIII over Carolina plus a matching 31-0 shutout of the Bills in December. Brady threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in that game.
Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning: Brady's history with the younger Manning quarterback isn't as extensive as that with his Peyton rivalry, but it is historic in that it includes two Super Bowl matchups. One of those was the enormous upset in Super Bowl XLII in which Manning's Giants ended the 2007 Patriots' dream of an undefeated season. Remarkably, Manning and the Giants also beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI following the 2011 campaign.
Both of those games were razor-close, with strong performances by both quarterbacks. In three regular-season matchups, Brady's team notched two victories, but both quarterbacks were strong throughout the series. Manning finished his career with an 11-3 TD-INT ratio and a 96.7 passer rating against Brady's teams.
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All of the above quarterbacks join Brady on the NFL's top-25 all-time list in passing yardage. Brady has faced eight other passers on that top-25 list in his career. Here are the results:
- Joe Flacco. Brady leads the all-time head-to-head series with Flacco, 6-3, though Flacco's Ravens got two of those wins in the postseason. The two passers are 1-1 in AFC Championship games, with Flacco winning in 2009 and Brady in 2012.
- Carson Palmer. Brady is 4-0 all-time against Palmer, with all of those games coming while Palmer was with the Cincinnati Bengals. Brady had a 10-2 TD-INT ratio in those games.
- Donovan McNabb. Brady and McNabb only met twice, but one was in Super Bowl XXXIX. The Patriots won that one, 24-21, as Brady completed 23 of 33 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. McNabb was picked off four times. Brady was also dominant in the Patriots' regular-season win over the Eagles in 2003.
- Vinny Testaverde. Testaverde, originally a first-overall draft pick by the Buccaneers in 1987, bounced around seven teams over 21 NFL seasons and was even Brady's teammate in 2006. The only time the two QBs met was from 2001-03 when Testaverde was with the Jets. Brady won all three.
- Matthew Stafford. Brady's Patriots and Stafford's Lions have only met twice, producing a 1-1 split.
- Kerry Collins. Brady met Collins as a starter three different times, once each while Collins was a Giant, a Raider and a Titan. It was all Patriots, as Brady threw eight touchdown passes and no interceptions in those games and his team won all three by a combined score of 106-26.
- Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Brady faced both of the Packers' star quarterbacks twice and split both series, none of them in particularly high-leverage situations.
