Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Peyton Manning may have won the NFL MVP award Friday, but Philip Rivers, who finished in sixth place in the voting, has been better than Manning in several key areas.
The two quarterbacks will face off Saturday night in a wild-card game in San Diego. Courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, here are some charts comparing the two quarterbacks.
Rivers was the second-highest rated passer this season in the fourth quarter. Here is how both Rivers and Manning played in the fourth quarter:
| Rivers, Manning in the 4th Quarter | | |  |  | | Comp % | 63.8 | 63.3 | | TD | 12 | 6 | | Int | 2 | 3 | | Y/A | 8.1 | 6.6 | | Rating | 111.7 | 87.3 | | NFL rank | 2nd | 15th |
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| Rivers, Manning Vs. the Blitz (2008) | | | Comp | Att | Yds | Comp % | TD | Int | Sack | Rating | | Rivers | 74 | 120 | 1,067 | 61.7 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 113.4 | | Manning | 78 | 123 | 841 | 63.4 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 92.2 |
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On third down, Manning is more accurate, but Rivers has thrown for more yards, touchdowns and has a better rating.
| Rivers, Manning on 3rd Down | | | | | | Comp % | 61.1 | 66.7 | | Yds | 1195 | 1056 | | TD | 15 | 9 | | Int | 4 | 4 | | Rating | 110.7 | 98.3 |
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Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
