Toucher & Rich: Tom Brady Owns Jack Del Rio Defenses
BOSTON (CBS) - The big storyline for Sunday's AFC Championship game is the 15th meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, arguably two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the position.
Another aspect that's been discussed ad nauseam is the matchup of Peyton Manning versus Bill Belichick, and how the chess match between the two has produced some of the league's most memorable games over the past decade-plus.
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But one angle that has not been talked about is the way that Tom Brady has absolutely crushed defenses coordinated by Jack Del Rio.
In an article published by The Denver Post this morning, author Patrick Saunders writes:
Brady has completed 171-of-235 passes (73 percent) for 1,771 yards, 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions. That's a passer rating of 121.1 against Del Rio, now Denver's defensive coordinator.
Brady's record against Del Rio in those games is 7-0, including playoff victories over Jacksonville in 2005 and 2007 when Del Rio was the Jaguars' head coach.
Over the years, Belichick has been able to stifle Manning at times - especially early on - while Del Rio can't seem to find the answer for TB12.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich program Friday morning to discuss.
"There's definitely something to be said for that, which makes this game all the more fascinating. One of those playoff games when Jack Del Rio was in Jacksonville, I think Brady was 26 for 28 - he was almost flawless. I think you can definitely take that account."
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Shalise went on to say that Brady has done well against pretty much every defensive coordinator, so his dominance over Del Rio may not matter much in the AFC Championship game.
When the two teams first met in late November, the Broncos were without tight end Julius Thomas. Shalise Manza Young thinks his presence will make all the difference for Denver, who she's picking to win.
Listen below for the full discussion: