Tom Brady v Aaron Rodgers is still a marquee match-up. But for how much longer?

If Sunday was the last time we witnessed two of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history face off against each other, the game will be remembered more for tension than either man raging against the dying of the light (although one of them has been raging against electronics). With eight Super Bowl victories (Tom Brady with seven) and seven MVPs (Aaron Rodgers with four) between them, the two have solidified themselves as the best quarterbacks of their generation (along with Peyton Manning who, it is easy to forget, is only a year older than Brady.)

But those expecting an offensive explosion on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers met were most likely disappointed. Brady’s first half was one to forget as he failed to lead the Bucs into the end zone and entered halftime down 14-3. Rodgers looked sharper in the early moments of the game, achieving some first-half success against the Bucs’ stingy defense by throwing two touchdowns. But both men were largely anonymous in the third quarter, the explosive plays and ruthlessness that have given them so much success down the years largely lacking.

Brady eventually showed signs of his old self in the final minutes of the game, leading the Bucs on a nailbiting 15-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Russell Gage. But down 14-12, the Bucs were called for a delay of game on the two-point conversion. Five yards further away from the end zone, Brady’s pass attempt to tie the game was deflected, leading to the Packers’ victory.

It’s too soon to declare the end for either man – it wouldn’t be a shock if they met again in this season’s NFC championship game. After all, Rodgers has been the league MVP for the last two seasons and, at Rodgers’