Who had a better Comeback season, Tom Brady in 2009 or Peyton Manning in 2012?

If your question is simply Brady vs. Manning we have to leave Peterson out of this. I'm giving a slight edge to Peyton Manning because he went to a new team and turned them from a good team to a great team. Brady was able to step back into the comfort of the Patriots and his same offense with the same coaches with many of the same players. Both guys had great 'comeback' seasons, but I'll give the edge to Peyton. Many players have come back from ACL injuries, but Peyton's neck issues are much more uncommon. Plus he makes better commercials.

Peyton Manning. More significant injury and when he came back, had to adapt to a whole new city (especially the Mile High), whole new team, whole new coaching staff and whole new teammates.

I don't know why Comeback Player of the Year is even a competition. Peyton missed an ENTIRE season to injury. Yes, AP got hurt LATE last season and had an extraordinarily successful and quick road to recovery... but he still rushed for a good 970 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Manning didn't even play and his injury was more significant.

Coming back from two neck surgeries holds more significance with me than a ACL tear at the beginning of a season. People figured Brady could come back from his injury, I mean he's not RG3 running around outside the pocket. Most people figured Manning would never play again and for him to not only have one of the best seasons of his career but to be considered for MVP as well is pretty significant.