(SportsNetwork.com) - As the 2012 NFL Draft approached plenty of observers called Andrew Luck the best pure quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning. It was a nice little narrative because the Indianapolis Colts just happened to have the No. 1 overall selection for the first time since 1998 when they selected Manning with the top overall spot. Over the ensuing 13 years in Indy, Manning amassed a gaudy 141-67 regular- season record as a starter, passing for 54,828 yards with 399 touchdowns and a 94.9 passer rating as well as guiding the Colts to the playoffs 11 times, including a victory in Super Bowl XLI. A neck injury that ultimately required four different surgical procedures sidelined Manning for the entire 2011 season which is the major reason Indianapolis fell off the cliff and was in a position to bridge a generation of greatness at the games most important position with another one. Manning was eventually released by the Colts in March of 2012 and the divorce was hardly acrimonious. He was attempting to recover from the four procedures on his neck, and Indianapolis was focused on its future and Luck. (Manning) said, Youve got to take Andrew (Luck), (in the 2012 draft) Colts owner Jim Irsay recalled during an interview with USA TODAY Sports. You have to youre crazy if you dont. The Colts did draft Luck with the No. 1 overall pick out of Stanford after moving on from Manning, who subsequently signed with the Denver Broncos. Whether the still emerging Luck, and perhaps more importantly his teammates, have progressed enough to take down the veteran Manning and the supremely talented Broncos in the AFCs divisional round of the playoffs will be answered on Sunday afternoon. It was my hope and dream that this sort of situation would occur, Irsay said of squaring off with the former face of his franchise. I feel blessed that it has. I think its going to be a great game and having these two great quarterbacks go against each other at this point in their careers is really exciting. Luck is not only bigger and stronger than Manning ever was, hes far more athletic with elite arm talent, a signal caller with the body of a tight end, the fastball of Roger Clemens, impressive 4.65 speed, and a high-football IQ. Luck showed off all of his immense talents during a 36-yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief in the Colts 26-10 wild-card win over the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend. With the pocket collapsing the third-year star raced forward as Cincinnatis best pass rusher, Carlos Dunlap, closed in. He shed that tackle easily with eyes firmly focused downfield as other defenders swarmed in before finally firing a perfectly placed pass to Moncrief over two defenders, all while falling down. (Luck) can make all the throws, and also he can make all the throws on the run, Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris said. So that sets him apart from a lot of quarterbacks, and we know were going to have to cover a little bit longer. I think hes getting better and better, Denver star linebacker Von Miller added. The concern with him is that he passes, runs, extends plays. Hes the heart of their offense. Hes the heart of their organization. Manning did so much for the Colts that its almost surreal to realize Luck is far ahead of the pace the future Hall of Famer set during his first three seasons in the Hoosier State. Manning, a five-time NFL MVP, won 26 regular-season games during his first three NFL seasons with the Colts, throwing for 12,287 yards with two playoff starts, both losses. By comparison Luck has already won 33 in the regular season, tossed for 12,957 yards and won his second playoff game last week with the drubbing of the banged-up Bengals. Manning didnt get his second playoff victory until 2003, his sixth NFL campaign. What (Lucks) accomplished may be better than any quarterback has ever accomplished early in a career, Broncos coach John Fox said. Hes been as advertised. Manning hasnt slowed down a bit in the Rockies, leading the Broncos to three straight AFC West crowns and a conference championship last season while earning his record fifth MVP award. To be honest, even since Day 1 here, it hasnt been an issue, Luck said of the comparisons between he and Manning. I never came in saying, Oh, I have to replace a legend, one of the greatest of all-time. Professional sports people, they come and they go. Someones going to replace me eventually, hopefully later rather than sooner. At this rate, its going to be a lot later because Luck has quickly developed into one of the NFLs best quarterbacks and is already knocking on the door of the elite club headlined by talents like Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Any he may kick in that door on Sunday in Manning-Luck III, the rubber match. Manning and Julius Thomas connected for three touchdowns during a 31-24 Broncos win during Kickoff Weekend this season, avenging a Week 7 39-33 loss to Luck and the Colts in 2013. Manning has thrown for 655 yards with six touchdowns against his former team, while Luck has piled up 598 yards and five scoring tosses in the previous two meetings. Its not the quarterback versus quarterback thing, Luck lamented. Were not on the field at the same time. I have a lot of respect for (Peyton), what he does, what he still does is amazing. Hes a stud. Ill worry about the Denver defense, thats what I worry about. Generally you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the legend. For Luck, thats something his eventual successor needs to think about. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Sale Cheap . The whole deflation of New England Patriots footballs is like a murder mystery without the violence or significance. On one side, this is a ridiculous issue. Swell Bottles Near Me . 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The well-travelled 36-year-old right-hander earned his second NL victory since 2007, and his first since he joined the Atlanta Braves last month, pitching six innings to help beat Miami 6-1 Thursday.VANCOUVER - After a short break during the group stages of the World Cup, the Major League Soccer season gets back underway on Wednesday night with an all-Canadian clash at BC Place as Vancouver Whitecaps host Montreal Impact (live on TSN and TSN 690 at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt). The Whitecaps will look to pick up where they left off and cement a place in the Western Conference playoff places, while Montreal will be hoping for a much different story after an extremely disappointing start to the MLS season. Winning the Canadian Championship was the bright spot so far this year for an Impact team that sits bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Form: The Whitecaps enter the match unbeaten in their last seven matches (Won 3, Tied 4) while the Impact have won just twice all season and have only picked up two points from their previous six matches on the road. Vancouver needed a late penalty from Pedro Morales to rescue a point at Philadelphia in their last match, despite leading the game 2-0 at PPL Park. The Whitecaps have been having no trouble scoring goals, but will need to tighten up defensively if they are to build on their excellent start to the year. The Caps havent lost in MLS since April 12 when they were beaten 1-0 by LA Galaxy in California. Vancouver are unbeaten against Eastern Conference opposition so far this season. After beating Toronto FC to be crowned Canadian champions, and winning at home to high flying New England, Montreals revival came to a crashing halt with a 4-2 loss at home to DC United two weeks ago. Things have improved for the Impact since they started the season by taking just three points from a possible 21 through their first seven matches, but they will need to be consistently strong between now and the end of the year if they are to have any chance of getting into the playoff race. The Impact are currently eight points outside the playoff places. With only 13 goals in 13 matches, the Impact are the lowest scoring team in MLS, but the signing of Jack McInerney has proved to be an excellent addition. The Big Question: Will Montreals defence be able to cope with Vancouvers speedsters? The Whitecaps have caused plenty of problems for their opponents this year with lots of attacking options, and Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales proving to be the perfect set-up man. Striker Erik Hurtado has been leading the way in recent games with five goals in his last five matches in all competitions. Hurtado has shown the ability to cause defenders all kinds of problems with his strength and speed, and the Whitecaps can also call upon the pace of Kekuta Manneh and Darren Mattocks. In their last match before the break, Montreal defended poorly and conceded four goals at home to DC United, however, in their previouus game, they managed to keep a clean sheet against a strong New England team.dddddddddddd If the Impact defence isnt switched on from minute one, the Whitecaps young guns could take advantage. Montreal coach Frank Klopas has the chance to make changes in defence if he chooses, with the recent additions of Futty Danso from Portland, and former Sporting KC man Mechack Jerome. The Lineup: There are a few decisions for Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson to make with regards to his starting lineup. Captain Jay DeMerit came off injured in the tie at Philadelphia and is sidelined for six weeks. Robinson will choose from Andy OBrien, Carlyle Mitchell, Johnny Leveron and Christian Dean to fill the two central defensive places. At the other end of the pitch, it is possible the Caps could start with Mattocks and Manneh supporting Hurtado. Robinson has said he would love to see the three players start together at some stage and it is possible that this could be the occasion to try it. If not, one of the Whitecaps two Uruguayans, Sebastien Fernandez or Nicolas Mezquida, could get the start. With Marco Di Vaio and Justin Mapp expected to miss the match through injury, the Impact will be relying on McInerney and Andres Romero to provide a goal scoring edge. Both players have been in good form of late. McInerney has four goals in eight MLS appearances since joining the Impact from Philadelphia, and Romero had scored in his last three MLS matches. The most interesting decision for Montreal will be who Klopas decides to play in defence, and whether or not either Danso or Jerome will be handed an Impact debut. In midfield, Klopas could give a debut to 30-year-old Spaniard Gorka Larrea who played 90 minutes in the reserves against Harrisburg City Islanders last Friday. The Odds: This is only the third meeting between the two sides in Major League Soccer, with the Whitecaps having won both of the previous encounters. Montreal havent played a league match in Vancouver since losing 2-0 in the clubs inaugural MLS game in March 2012, but the Impact were celebrating after their last match at BC Place. A 2-2 tie last spring in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship saw Montreal lift the Voyageurs Cup. With Vancouvers strong home form and Montreals difficulties on the road the Whitecaps will be strong favourites heading in. Carl Robinsons team has lost just once at BC Place this season, while the Impact are yet to win away. Where to Watch: Join me along with Jason de Vos and Perry Solkowski for all of the action from BC Place. We are live on TSN with the pre-match show starting at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt. There will be features on Carl Robinson, Kekuta Manneh, and Montreals Canadian international winger Issey Nakajima-Farran. ' ' '