Tom Brady, an Underdog? Say It Ain't So!

Yes, I do realize the New England Patriots are a slight underdog against the Denver Broncos in this weeekends intriguing AFC championship game.

According to Bovada, New England enters this contest as a 4-point dog.

Unfortunately, if you're a Patriot fan, your team must to travel to Mile High, where the Broncos are tough to defeat. Usually, if you visit Denver, you leave with a headache and an oxygen tank. The Broncos are stocked with talent on both ends of the ball.

Their offense is simply majestic, with one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history at the controls. They have a plethora of playmakers on offense and an opportunistic defense. They've been one of the most consistent teams all year long, thanks in part to a statistical onslaught by Peyton Manning. Not only did the pizza-slingin' Buick driver have one of his best number-racking seasons, but it was also the best statistical season for an NFL quarterback, ever. With 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards passing, Manning just so happened to surpass two other signal callers with Super Bowl rings -- Tom Brady and Drew Brees -- in both of those categories.

Accolades aside, keep in mind that Tom Brady is playing this weekend. The 'Golden Boy' has been part of three Super Bowl winners and has competed in five total. I wouldn't bet against him or the New England Patriots this weekend.

It's kind of funny how the Patriots -- who  decimatedwere with injuries and craziness during the regular season -- seem to piece together a successful team of yeomanlike NFL athletes. It's a true testament to how Bill Belicheck coaches. Regardless of the circumstance, he always seems to find a way to pull through, especially when the odds are stacked against him. And Brady always seems to turn a mediocre wide receiver into a valuable asset. Do you recall Deion Branch? He did absolutely nothing when he was traded, but when he was a New England Patriot, he was a deity within the Boston area.

Tom Brady is a marvel. His poise is almost impossible to duplicate. His ability to lead is unprecedented, and his drive to not only perform, but perform successfuly, is constant. He is the epitome of a leader and his record speaks for itself. Sure, he failed to win the last two Super Bowls in which he played, but just because you're the 'Golden Boy' doesn't mean  you're destined to win every big game.

His regular season and post-season success vis à vis Peyton Manning to date is a well documented 10-4, so to this point, you can safely say that Tom Brady owns Peyton Manning.

Sorry, Manning fan boys, your hero just doesn't get it done often enough whenever his team plays against the Patriots.

Although Brady is considered the underdog, I realistically feel he has less pressure than Manning does to perform this Sunday.