PHOTOS: Manning vs. Brady through the years

Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.

It has been the rivalry that has defined this generation of the NFL. Football's version of Ali vs. Frazier or Bird vs. Johnson. Nothing draws the attention of the NFL world like these two all-time great quarterbacks battling it out.

Their rivalry has spanned a decade and a half, produced some of the most memorable games in NFL history, and has molded both Brady and Manning's careers.

Sunday's AFC Championship Game will mark the 17th time the two have faced off and the fourth time with a Super Bowl at stake. Brady has won 11 of the 16 games, but the pair has split the playoff contests 2-2.

Let's take a look back over their history:

Round 1 - Brady makes 1st career start against Manning's Colts

Sept. 30, 2001: Week 3, NE 44 - IND 13

It was fitting that Brady's first career start came against Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The New England Patriots' defense hounded Manning and forced him into mistakes, allowing Brady to manage the game and earn the first of many wins against Manning.

Round 2 - Brady leads Patriots past Manning on way to 1st Super Bowl title

Oct. 21, 2001: Week 6, NE 38 - IND 17

This time around, Brady's arm won the day. He threw for three touchdowns in their second regular-season matchup of the season, the only year the two started in the same division. Brady would earn his first Lombardi Trophy later that year.

Round 3 - Patriots prevail in close contest

Nov. 30, 2003: Week 13, NE 38 - IND 34

In the first close contest of the rivalry, it was Brady's mistakes that allowed Manning and the Colts to attempt a late comeback. However, the Patriots held on for the win.

Round 4 - Manning's 4 INT AFC Championship Game

Jan. 18, 2004: NE 24 - IND 14

This performance may have been the worst of Manning's career. The Patriots' defense harassed him all game long, forcing four interceptions. Brady had no such issues and helped the Patriots to the win en route to their second Super Bowl title.

Round 5 - Mike Vanderjagt's late miss hands Brady fifth straight win over Manning

Sept. 9, 2004: Week 1, NE 27 - IND 24

In the 2004 season opener, Brady and Manning put on a dazzling passing show. The Colts' chance of taking the game to overtime was lost when kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a late field goal.

Round 6 - Brady gives Manning another playoff loss

Jan. 16, 2005: NE 20 - IND 3

Brady took his winning streak over Manning to six straight games. This time, the Patriots won a defensive battle in the AFC divisional round. Brady scored two touchdowns - one on the ground - and Manning was held without a score.

Round 7 - The tides turn for Manning in shootout victory

Nov. 7, 2005: Week 9, IND 40 - NE 21

Manning finally got that monkey off his back, beating the Patriots and Brady for the first time with the help of an inspired defensive performance from the Colts.

Round 8 - Brady endures worst career game against Manning

Nov. 5, 2006: Week 9, IND 27 - NE 20

It was Brady's turn to put in one of the worst games of his career, throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns in a close loss.

Round 9 - Manning leads comeback in AFC Championship Game en route to 1st Super Bowl title

Jan. 21, 2007: IND 38 - NE 34

In a game that appeared to be following the familiar narrative of the Patriots dominating Manning in the playoffs, the Colts pulled off one of the most famous comebacks in NFL history. Down 21-6 at halftime, the Colts railled back to 38-34 with one minute remaining and picked off Brady to seal the victory on their way to their first - and only - Super Bowl of Manning's career.

Round 10 - Patriots rebound late against Colts to maintain undefeated season

Nov. 4, 2007: Week 9, NE 24 - IND 20

During the Patriots' undefeated regular season, the Colts appeared likely to end their run at perfection. Brady led a comeback from down 10 points in the fourth quarter to keep New England on track for 16-0.

Round 11 - Belichick's 4th-&-2 failure gives Colts late win

Nov. 15, 2009: Week 10, IND 35 - NE 34

In maybe his most infamous coaching decision, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick decided to go for it on fourth-and-2 on his own 28-yard line because of his defense's inability to stop Manning. The Colts forced the stop and Manning threw the game-winning touchdown to Reggie Wayne.

Round 12 - Manning's last game against Brady as a Colt

Nov. 21, 2010: Week 11, NE 31 - IND 28

Manning's last game against Brady as a member of the Indianapolis Colts ended in a failed comeback attempt. He recovered from two early picks to bring the score back to 31-28, but the Patriots sealed the victory by intercepting Manning with 30 seconds remaining.

Round 13 - Brady wins 1st game of new era despite standout Manning performance

Oct. 7, 2012: Week 5, NE 31 - DEN 21

Manning sat out the 2012 season due to a neck injury and was released by Indianapolis. Signed by the Denver Broncos, Manning showed he still could play by throwing for 337 yards and three scores, but the Broncos' porous run defense allowed New England to earn the win on the back of 251 rushing yards.

Round 14 - Brady orchestrates overtime comeback

Nov. 24, 2013: Week 12, NE 34 - DEN 31 OT

In their most thrilling matchup in recent years, it was Brady that was forced to overcome a huge deficit. Brady brought New England back from a 24-0 halftime deficit, taking the game to overtime, which the Patriots won thanks to a botched Denver punt.

Round 15 - Manning earns 2nd Super Bowl berth with win over Brady

Jan. 19, 2014: DEN 26 - NE 16

Manning dominated the Patriots through the air in the AFC title game, throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns to earn his second shot at a championship.

Round 16 - Brady blows out Broncos

Nov. 2, 2014: Week 9, NE 43 - DEN 21

Brady and Manning's last contest was one of the most uneven. Manning again passed for over 400 yards, but key Bronco turnovers allowed the Patriots to dominate the game.