NBC gets lucky with Tom Brady - Eli Manning matchup

The Peacock got lucky with the Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning matchup in Super Bowl XLVI. The huge fan bases in the New England and New York area – that guarantees good ratings for NBC. And NBC could use some good ratings.

Brady was less than his usual stellar self in the AFC game, throwing no touchdowns and two interceptions, and said afterward: “I [stunk] pretty bad today.” And yet the Patriots advance to a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, won by Manning and the Giants four years ago.

One thing is certain: Manning, not Brady, is the hottest quarterback heading to Indianapolis, and that’s not something anyone would have expected when the season began. Or when the playoffs began. Or even when Sunday began.