Brady vs. Manning - Who Will Have A Better 2008?

So far this preseason we have seen very little of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.  Both quarterbacks have been sidelined with injuries but they both hope to suit-up come opening day.  However, how much will their injuries and training camp rust carry over to the regular season?  Each quarterback has their own struggles to overcome entering the season.

Tom Brady and the Patriots are coming off the best regular season in NFL history.  They are also coming off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.  Hopefully the Patriots can overcome the let down from last years Super Bowl loss.  We all know what happens to teams the year after they lose the Super Bowl.  The one thing the Patriots have going for them is they have a easier division schedule than the Colts.  However, with the best record in 2007 the Patriots have a slightly harder overall schedule.

Peyton Manning and the Colts could be playing in the toughest divisions in the NFL.  Three of the four teams made the playoffs last year and the Texans are going to make a push this year.  Manning injury is preventing him from practicing with could throw off his timing for the first few games this season.  Not only is Manning injured but Harrison, Freeney, and Sanders have all been dealing with injuries this offseason.  This is not how the Colts want to begin the season.  However, if there is a player in the league that can pull it together it will be Manning.

In my opinion deciding who will have a better 2008 comes down to two factors: injuries and division schedule.  I think the Colts have too many injuries at key positions.  I'm not sure how many games it will take to see them at full strength.  I also think the Colts have to play too many tough games in their division.  They could potentionaly lose all three division road games.  With all that being said both Brday and Manning are tough competitors and the Patriots and Colts are top notch teams.  It wouldn't surprise me if Manning came out on fire and the Colts showing no signs of rust.