Tom Brady and Von Miller, counting the playoffs, have squared off seven times in their career, and they’ll do so again Sunday afternoon in Denver as arguably the two best players at their respective positions.
While Brady is making a case for the NFL MVP award, Miller is making his own case to be named Defensive Player of the Year. So it should come as no surprise there’s mutual respect between the superstars.
Brady used part of his weekly news conference Wednesday to gush about Miller’s incredible skills, comparing him to all-time great Lawrence Taylor. In a piece for The Players’ Tribune, Miller lobbed plenty of compliments Brady’s way, calling him the toughest quarterback he’s ever had to face.
“What makes him the best isn’t just his accuracy throwing the ball,” Miller wrote. “His presnap vision is the best I’ve ever seen, bar none. He’s able to predict your play just based off the presnap coverage. You can disguise your look all you want, but he’s still able to move guys around and forecast what’s coming. Brady almost turns the whole game into a seven-on-seven drill because of how fast he’s able to get rid of the ball.”
Because of how fast Brady’s able to get the ball out and find the favorable matchup, the Patriots are able to methodically drive the ball down the field, imposing their will on the opposing defense.
“The biggest challenge in playing the Patriots is simply getting off the field,” Miller added. “You’re never worried about Brady hitting you for 70 yards, but he’ll chip away at you and keep drives alive, which wears you down. So if my whole game is based on an explosive first step, that’s a problem. Getting a consistent first step on a 15-play drive is pretty much impossible.”
When listing the toughest receiver and coach he’s ever faced, Miller also named Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and head coach Bill Belichick.
Of course, Miller and the Broncos have had their share of success in recent years against Brady and the Patriots. Denver enters Sunday’s matchup having won its last two games against New England, including last season’s AFC Championship Game.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
