It is obvious that we are discussing two elite, incredibly talented NFL players when we mention the names Tom Brady, Quarterback of the New England Patriots and Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos’ Quarterback. If you owned either one of these quarterbacks last year on your fantasy football team, you were happy with the consistently high points each of them made for you on a weekly basis. You may have even had other team members trying to trade you two mediocre quarterbacks, or a decent wide receiver and running back combination in exchange for Brady or Manning. I hope you did not take that trade.

In looking at some statistics from 2012, both quarterbacks did their fair share of passing with Brady throwing for 4827 yards and Manning completing 4659 yards. As far as fantasy points, Brady finished in third place among quarterbacks with 340.28 and Manning was sixth with 310.96 points.

Manning did edge Brady out in passing touchdowns by scoring 37 compared to Brady’s 34. As far as interceptions, Brady threw 8 and Manning had 11. These interceptions are pretty low though, if you take into comparison the amount completed passes these two elites made last season:
 

2012 Statistics:

Tom Brady 4827 Pass Yards 34 TDs  8 Int  340.28 Fantasy Points

Peyton Manning 4659 Pass Yards 37 TDs  11 Int  310.96 Fantasy Points

Let’s look at Peyton Manning in more detail. Last year, Manning did not let down his fantasy owners as the new Broncos’ quarterback. At the beginning of last season, fantasy owners who drafted him were cautious and likely chose a backup or two not knowing if Manning, coming back from two major neck and cervical fusion surgeries, would be able to complete a whole year. Well, the 37-year-old veteran who had never missed a game until he had those surgeries finished all of 2012 with flying colors. We all know a quarterback isn’t just wonderful on their own. Manning had a capable team of receivers who were all on the same page which aided in his success and resulted in some pretty decent quarterback points for his fantasy owners last year.

Now we'll get to Tom Brady. Drafting Brady in 2012 was a no-brainer as you didn’t have any of the worries that Manning owners had at the beginning of the season. The-35-year-old 2012 Super Bowl quarterback contender was a fantasy football stud, coming off of over 5200 passing yards, 366 fantasy points and 39 touchdowns in 2011. If you had Brady on your fantasy team last year fully armed with his artillery of receiving hands, you were not worried about the fantasy points he was going to get you week to week.
Going into the 2013 season, what should fantasy owners consider when drafting their quarterback; namely Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

I have to say I would feel extremely comfortable having either one of these guys on my team, as they are both fabulous quarterbacks. Maybe for this year, though, I have to give a slight edge to Peyton Manning from a fantasy football outlook.

Brady may have a bit more of a disadvantage starting this year as the Patriots have endured some losses in the receiving department. One of the major things to note is the Patriots and Brady lost wide receiver, Wes Welker; who coincidentally will be catching balls from Manning now. Patriots’ Tight End, Rob Gronkowski is also a huge concern as he may miss the start of the season as he heals from a couple of surgeries he is having this summer. When he returns, his durability will be something to monitor.

I like Manning going into this year not only because he has acquired the agile Welker, but he has numerous, healthy tight ends and wide receivers including Demaryius Thomas coupled with Eric Decker to pass the ball to. We watched the Broncos blend into a well-synchronized team last year, and I think they are going to be even better in 2013. Anyone who drafts Manning this season for their team can sit back and watch the fantasy points roll in.