New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick calls Peyton Manning the best quarterback he has ever faced in his coaching career.

Belichick’s praise comes two days after his own quarterbacking great, Tom Brady, said he appreciates more than ever his high-profile rivalry with Manning. The Patriots (6-2) face Manning’s Denver Broncos (6-1) at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

“I mean, (Manning is) great, he’s obviously a great quarterback,” Belichick said Wednesday during his press conference. “The best quarterback I’ve coached against.

“Not to take anything away from the Montanas, Marinos and Elways or whoever is up there with those guys, but (Manning) is tough.”

Belichick, who is in his 40th season as an NFL coach, said Manning has no flaws to exploit.

“He’s good at everything. He’s good at everything,” Belichick said. “I see no weaknesses in his game.”

Belichick has faced Manning 22 times as a head coach or coordinator, with a 12-10 lifetime record against him. With Brady as his quarterback, Belichick’s record against Manning is 10-5 in the regular season and 2-2 in the postseason.

Manning has multiple weapons again this year with wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker, and tight end Julius Thomas.

“Each game is its own game,” Belichick said. “The offense, I think they have done a good job of utilizing their personnel and what those particular players do well in different systems, (against) different teams. Peyton does a great job of getting the ball to the weakest point of the defense, whatever the defense happens to be.”

Manning, who two games ago passed Brett Favre to gain the top spot on the NFL’s all-time passing touchdown list, and Brady seem to be getting better with age.

The 37-year-old Brady said Monday he is looking forward to another matchup against his 38-year-old counterpart.

“Five, six years ago you don’t think about those things,” Brady said. “But as you mature a little bit and realize this could always be the last one, then you do. It’s pretty special.

“(Manning has) been one of the greatest players to ever play. I’ve been fortunate to share a field with one of the best players that has ever played the game. And every time we play a Peyton Manning-led team, it comes down to the wire. Everything is usually at stake.”