Brady: 'Unfortunate' Peyton Manning Isn't Playing Sunday
BOSTON (CBS) -- Sunday night's showdown in Denver will feature two of the best teams in the AFC, but the matchup will certainly be missing one big element.
For the second time in Tom Brady's career, he's going against a team that will have Peyton Manning as their backup and not as the starting quarterback under center (Manning was wearing khakis when Brady and the Patriots beat the Colts back in 2011). Instead, Brock Osweiler will make his second career start for Denver, as Manning recovers from a foot injury that will sideline him for a second straight week.
While he knows his challenges are on the defensive side of the field, Brady is a little bummed that Manning won't be throwing passes for Denver.
"There's nobody that has more respect for Peyton than me, outside of probably his parents and his brothers. If anybody can appreciate what he's accomplished, it's me," Brady told reporters on Wednesday. "He's been remarkable every part of his career; he's been a tremendous player. Everyone deals with injuries at different times, and it's unfortunate it's this week."
Brady himself took a number of hits during Monday night's 20-13 win over the Buffalo Bills, but said he was feeling "100 percent" as of Wednesday. He's expecting plenty of pressure from a vaunted Broncos defense that ranks first in yards allowed per game (284.3) and second in points (18.3), behind only New England (18.2 points per game).
"I think when you're the first-ranked defense in the league obviously you're doing something right," said Brady. "And they can get to the passer, so those guys are in a good position when the ball is snapped. They are very aggressive. I don't think there's anything the offense can really do to dictate what they do defensively. They just call their defense, and then they try to tear your head off.
"They've got guys, some of the best that I've ever seen play in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware," added Brady. "They're pretty unstoppable."
With a short week to prepare, and Thanksgiving mixed in the middle, Brady said getting ready for a tough opponent like Denver comes down to one thing.
"Mental toughness – that's what it comes down to. We're off to a good start, but it really doesn't mean anything," he said of New England going into Sunday's tilt with a 10-0 record. "Whatever happens after this Thursday is what's going to matter to our season, and this is when we need to start playing well."
Even with all the hits he's taken over the last few weeks, and with more likely coming this weekend, Brady cherishes every moment of his 16-year NFL career. When asked whether or not his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, ever questions why her husband is "wasting his time" playing football, Brady couldn't help but have a little chuckle.
"She says that to me all the time. She said it to me [Tuesday] night, as a matter of fact," he said with a smile.
But with many high schoolers about to take the field for their final time come Thursday, Brady couldn't help but reflect on the connection between the holiday and the sport.
"Thanksgiving is always about football and being with your family, and it makes for a great holiday," he said.
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