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49ers Joe Montana vs. Patriots Tom Brady: Revisiting the GOAT Argument after Super Bowl LI

By Peter Panacy

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 4, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana (left) and Dwight Clark (right) before the game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 4, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana (left) and Dwight Clark (right) before the game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Cumulative Postseason Numbers

Greatness isn’t defined during the regular season. Postseason numbers are what count the most.

Needless to say, both Tom Brady and Joe Montana have compiled awesome playoff numbers. Those efforts are the reasons why Montana is a Hall of Famer and Brady will be when his career is over.

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So who performed better in the postseason and not just under the bright lights of the Super Bowl?

Let’s look at some of the key stats. First, Brady has obviously appeared in more playoff games — 33 to Montana’s 23. And Brady has a total of 24 postseason wins against nine losses which, percentage-wise, is better than Montana’s 16-7 playoff record.

Brady’s playoff touchdown-to-interception ratio is amazing, which now stands at 63 to 31 — just above two to one. Montana posted a 45-to-21 ratio though, which is even higher.

And Montana also ranks higher in playoff completion percentage (70.27 to 62.39) and playoff passer rating (95.6 to 88.7).

You couldn’t go wrong with either QB under center when the postseason pressure kicked up a notch. But Montana surely has the advantage here when it counted most.

Advantage: Montana