Eli Manning Proving that He Belongs Among Today’s Elite

Published: 23rd Jan 12 2:04 pm
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Marian Hinton
Texas Sports Blogger
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Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

This season, Eli Manning has been the most underrated quarterback in the NFL.

Yes, he has a Super Bowl ring, but most football fans would agree that, despite his earning the MVP during that game, it was more a fluke than anything.

Most fans, myself included, for whatever reason have not been able to accept the fact that perhaps Eli Manning is more than just a good quarterback.

Though I would have laughed at this thought earlier this season, particularly when the Giants were in the midst of a losing streak, Manning has begun to prove that perhaps he does indeed deserve a place among the upper echelon of elite quarterbacks in the game today. Maybe Eli’s name does belong alongside his brother, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady after all.

During the regular season this year, Eli ranked among the top 6 in the NFL in nearly every statistical passing category, including total yards (4th), yards per game (5th), touchdowns (6th), and QB rating (3rd). Impressive, no doubt, but it’s his play when everything is on the line that has won over many of his loudest critics.

This season, the final minutes of the game is when Eli has shined the brightest, standing out among a very elite group.

Throughout the year, including the playoffs, Manning has the highest 4th-quarter QB rating in the NFL with 111.9, higher than Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. His 18 fourth-quarter touchdowns are the most of any other quarterback in the league, again, including players that everyone would consider to be the best in the game today.

The most important and impressive stat, however, is his ability to win when it seems the hardest.

He has been the best this season in leading his team to come-from-behind victories, overcoming seven 4th-quarter deficits this year, including last night’s overtime win over the San Francisco 49es to earn a trip to Super Bowl XLVI.

However, this time as his team prepares to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, unlike in February of 2008, Eli isn’t just simply along for the ride.

This time, he has led the charge.

Perhaps it’s time that we give him his due.

 

 

 

 

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