Patriots Gridiron News: Tom Brady Misses Facing Peyton Manning

The New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady admitted that he misses the competitiveness of going against Peyton Manning.

As the Patriots prepare to take on the Broncos, quarterback Tom Brady expects to face a tough Denver defense headlined by Von Miller. For that reason, the game will be competitive, but what’s missing is Peyton Manning.

In an appearance on Westwood One’s pregame show prior to Thursday Night Football, Brady admitted to Jim Gray that he misses going up against Manning as every time the two faced off, it has been a big game.

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"“I do miss playing against him because he was such a great player and he always led such great teams,” Brady said via WEEI. “It was always one of the biggest challenges facing someone of that caliber on the other side of the ball. Denver still has a great team. They’ve been playing well all season. Their season is coming down here, they have three games left and I am sure they want to finish strong and we’re on the schedule. They have a couple of division opponents after us, so I think both teams are putting a lot into this one.“Whether Peyton is out there or any other quarterback, my approach is going to be the same because I play that defense and that is one of the toughest defenses in the league that we face.”"

Brady and the Patriots will look to overcome their difficulties in Denver and hope to clinch a playoff spot with the victory. New England will be without tight end Rob Gronkowski, but the addition of Michael Floyd along with the emergence of wide receivers Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell gives Brady more weapons than he has had heading into the Mile High city in previous years.

We really have a great group of skill players,” Brady said. “If he can fit in then great, but I obviously love the players I’m playing with.”

Michael Floyd: Newly acquired wide receiver Michael Floyd is traveling with the team to Denver and may even see some time on the field. So, what about the Patriots complicated offense? Former offensive coordinator and college coach of Floyd says he already knows much of the playbook.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

"“How many places can you go to where you’re going to know 75 percent of the verbiage walking through the door?” Weis said in an appearance on Kirk & Callahan on Friday. “The verbiage is the same verbiage, with Josh [McDaniels’] tweaks and what’s matriculated over the past decade, the verbiage is still the same. There’s just a 25 percent spinoff in every system. You’ve got a guy who comes in here who doesn’t have to learn the system all over again. Mentally, you’ve got a big advantage over other guys because you already know what to do.”"

Injury report: The Patriots will travel to Denver with quite a few players listed as questionable. Among seven players on that list include linebacker Dont’a Hightower (knee), Martellus Bennett (ankle/shoulder) and Malcolm Butler (hip).

The other players include Jordan Richards (knee), Elandon Roberts (hamstring), Eric Rowe (hamstring) and Matthew Slater (foot).

Next: NFL Protocol Issues This Week Prove League Unfairly Persecuted Pat’s

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