Matt Ryan illustrates Peyton Manning's competitiveness with Tom Brady

Matt Ryan is the new quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts after a recent trade from the Atlanta Falcons. Shortly after the deal, Ryan was officially introduced at a press conference in Indianapolis. There, Ryan was asked about his familiarity with former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Ryan responded with an incredible story that illustrates just how deep Manning’s rivalry ran with Tom Brady on the field.

Ryan and the Falcons went head-to-head with Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI in 2016. But before Ryan could even finish celebrating Atlanta’s win in the NFC Championship Game, he already had Manning in his ear with some advice on how to prepare against Brady.

“When we won the NFC Championship [in Atlanta], we left the stadium, we went to dinner,” said Ryan, via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “And I was at dinner with my family, we were kind of celebrating. The first call I got was from Peyton. And he was like, all right, here’s how you’re gonna map out your two weeks. And I’m like, man, we just won this game, right? I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

That season was a special one for Ryan. He was named the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, and the Falcons obviously went on a deep postseason run, reaching the Super Bowl. But Brady was the one that came away with the victory after mounting a comeback from a 28-3 deficit.

More on Brady-Manning

Brady and Manning are two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. We thought that both would be retired next season, with Brady seemingly joining Manning in retirement. But shortly after Brady retired, he announced that he was coming back. Now, he has the opportunity to add to an already historically impressive resume as a quarterback in the NFL.

Over the course of their careers, Manning and Brady went head-to-head 17 times. 12 of those games were in the regular season, with Brady winning nine of them. The other five matchups were in the postseason, and Manning actually edged Brady 3-2 in those games.

Manning threw for 71,940 yards with 539 touchdowns and 251 interceptions in his career, winning five NFL MVP awards and two Super Bowls, with one Super Bowl MVP. Brady has thrown for 84,520 yards, 624 touchdowns and 203 interceptions, and those stats will only improve this season. The now Buccaneers quarterback has won seven Super Bowls and five Super Bowl MVPs, in addition to three NFL MVP awards.