Do More Experienced Quarterbacks Win the AFC Championship?

By ScoreBig on January 14, 2015

When the Indianapolis Colts travel to Foxboro for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game vs. New England, there will be more than just the trip to Super Bowl XLIX on the line.

Football fans and media pundits alike are salivating over the quarterback matchup between Tom Brady and Andrew Luck. The former is a 37-year-old, three-time champion, and the latter a 25-year-old blue chipper new to this stage. Brady’s looking to add one final exclamation point to his Hall of Fame legacy; Luck’s legacy is just beginning. It’s the old guard vs. the upstart; the best of a prior generation facing off against the fresh face of a new one.

What will this Sunday’s marquee match-up between Brady and Luck have in store? See it live. AFC Championship Game tickets are still available at ScoreBig.com, the only website that lets you save on every NFL ticket, every day.

This isn’t the first time rising stars have come up against veteran quarterbacks. Let history be your guide. Here are five previous times a young quarterback met a respected talent in a Conference Championship game.

Roethlisberger vs. Sanchez: 2011, Steelers vs. Jets.

Second-year starter Mark Sanchez traveled to Heinz Field to take on two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger. The contest was a game of runs, as the Steelers opened with 24 unanswered points and the Jets countered with 19 of their own, which would be the final. For Sanchez and Jets head coach Rex Ryan, it was their second-straight AFC Championship loss and the beginning of the end for their Gang Green glory days. Neither has made the playoffs since.

Verdict: Experience Wins

Favre vs. Manning: 2007 NFC Championship Game, New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

Third-year starter Eli Manning traveled to Lambeau Field to square off against the Packers’ Brett Favre, who was only considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Temperatures during the game were as low as -5 degrees. Both quarterbacks topped 200 yards, but Favre had two interceptions, including one that set up the Giants’ game-winning field goal in overtime. It was the last pass Favre ever threw as a Packer.

Verdict: Experience Lost

Elway vs. Stewart: 1998 AFC Championship Game, Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

At 37 years old, John Elway had won an MVP, been named to eight Pro Bowls, and made three Super Bowls, but he was still searching for his first ring. Kordell Stewart, meanwhile, was an electrifying rookie, one of the first mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks that became so commonplace in the 21st century. Elway tossed two touchdowns in a 24-21 final, and later defeated the Green Bay Packers to win the first Super Bowl that had eluded him for 14 seasons.

Verdict: Experience Wins

Montana vs. Evertt: 1990 NFC Championship Game, San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Jim Everett was a promising 26-year-old quarterback who had thrown 4300+ yards and led the NFL with 29 touchdowns. Joe Montana was already a three-time Super Bowl champ and universally considered an all-time great. This one was all 49ers from the opening kick, as they cruised to a 30-3 final. Everett had a solid career as a starter for a number of years, but never made another postseason. Montana? He won his fourth Super Bowl two weeks later.

Verdict: Experience Wins

Unitas vs. Griese: 1972 AFC Championship Game, Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

A meeting of two Hall of Famers, with one (Bob Griese) just entering the prime of his career and the other (Johnny Unitas) in the twilight of his own. The Dolphins relied on their ground game, rushing the ball 35 times while only passing eight. Griese had just four completions but they went for a total of 158 yards, including a 75-yard touhdown. Unitas was picked off three times. Griese’s Fins lost to the Cowboys in that year’s Super Bowl, but rattled off back-to-back championships in ’73 & ’74.

Verdict: Experience Lost

Experience wins 3-2. But, what will happen between Brady and Luck? Get your AFC Championship Game tickets now from ScoreBig.com, the only website where you can save up to 60% below box office prices for all the best sports tickets.

By Thomas McKenna