Who will deliver epic performances in this week's matchups?Air & Ground matchup of Week 8 (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC) -- This is just the fourth matchup in NFL history between teams that are 6-0 or better, and just the third of the era. The winner will likely emerge from this game as a prominent fixture in any " 50 favorites" conversations. This is hefty stuff. The centerpiece of this colo sal clash is the quarterback matchup. Five-time NFL MVP and two-time NFL MVP combine to tie for the most MVP awards for opposing quarterbacks (matching last season's Manning vs. showdown). As Rodgers is enjoying the prime of his career, Manning appears to have pa sed it. Manning is with 10 interceptions. Rodgers, Alexander Mattison Jersey meanwhile, is one touchdown pa s short of being in that category, while throwing just two interceptions.Both Manning and Rodgers are coming off their bye weeks. This is noteworthy. Since the implementation of the bye week in 1990, Rodgers (123.2) and Manning (109.7) have the two highest pa ser ratings in games after the bye week (minimum of seven starts, of course). Manning has won his last nine starts coming off the bye week; Rodgers has won his last six. Something will have to give.Standing in the way of these two great pa sers are the defenses of the and . The and are the NFL's top two scoring defenses this season. The ' defense is tops, allowing 16.8 points per game. The are tied for second with the , allowing 17.0 points per game. Rodgers and Manning better keep their heads on a swivel, because this game also features four of the NFL's top-15 sack artists. (second), (fourth), (seventh) and (14th) each rate near the top among active defenders in sacks per game.One tough stretchAfter squaring off against the unbeaten in Denver on , the travel to Charlotte to take on the undefeated (entering ; the team hosts the on ) in . Great Moments in Air & Ground History ( XXXII) -- John Elway and the finally got off the schneid when it came to s (the had lost four; Elway was part of three of those defeats) after pulling off in the game's history over the heavily favored, and defending champion, . featured dueling future quarterbacks -- Elway and Brett Favre -- a ma sive effort by , and that will be a part of highlight mashups for as long as football is played.Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter . Jim Marshall Jersey