This is a no-win scenario. I have to list the top 100 players in Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts history, and the top slot
goes to two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history from very different periods. No matter who I choose, there will be
unhappy supporters who believe I made the wrong decision.
And that’s before you get to the remaining 98 guys. The primary criteria for this list are: Players are assessed mostly
based on their peak performance, followed by long-term consistency. Total Pro Bowl appearances and first-team All-
Pro selections (according to pro-football-reference.com) were key criteria in comparing periods. Statisticians
compare players to their peers rather than across eras.
Unitas is an all-time legend. If he is your guy, that is fine. It’s pointless to quarrel over it because both were excellent.
However, there is only one compelling case in Unitas’ favor: he outperformed Manning in his first two title games.
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In the 1958 and 1959 NFL title games, Unitas had a passer rating of 100.7, while the average quarterback had a
rating of 66.6. That is an astonishing statistic.
Manning’s rating was 85.4 in his two Super Bowl appearances with the Colts. From 2006 to 2009, the average
quarterback’s regular season rating was 81.8.
Manning has a tiny advantage when comparing their entire postseason resume. Both fell off in the postseason, which
is not surprising given the stronger competition, with Unitas’ quarterback rating dropping from 78.8 to 68.9 and
Manning from 94.9 to 88.4.
If we just look at title games, it benefits Unitas because his quarterback rating in five games was 71.3, whereas
Manning’s was 85.4 in two. Unitas has a little edge over regular season performance.