NFL: Early Predictions For The Playoffs And Super Bowl

AFC Divisional Round (Pt. 2)

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos It's a matchup that everyone wants to see. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady, possibly the last time we could see both icons squaring off against each other in the playoffs as their combined age will top 77 years by the time January comes around. Age is everything, but being realistic, there won't be many more meetings between the pair, with Brady holding an 11-5 winning record over Manning, though the latter has won the two most recent playoff encounters against Brady. Manning will put everything into the regular season, and will more than likely dominate proceedings, but without TE Julius Thomas, the load could be greater on his shoulders to haul the Broncos through the season. That's likely to take its toll on Manning, and if his team face up to the Patriots, there'll be no mercy. There's no room for sentimentality when it comes to January, and Brady will be keen to stretch his record over Peyton. Patriots Win