Is Eli Manning two wins away from the Pro Football Hall of Fame? The New York Giants quarterback, long known as Peyton Manning’s little brother, is seeking his second Super Bowl ring, which would double his brother’s total. Peyton Manning may be the greatest passer of his generation, but postseason rings count the most.
Suddenly, Eli Manning is on the cusp of being recognized as one of the NFL’s top passers. And two rings pretty much provide passage to Canton one day. After all, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre only have one crown each, and they’re sure first-ballot selections.
Eli Manning was unfairly labeled as simply coasting on his surname. Yet he has been a steady passer since he was drafted first overall in 2004. Since 2005, the Giants haven’t had a losing season and have made the postseason five times.
He just delivered his best season and was named to his second Pro Bowl, passing for 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns. Manning has thrown for at least 4,000 yards the last three years and 20 touchdowns for seven straight seasons.
But the postseason often is where a quarterback earns his Hall of Fame credentials. A win at San Francisco in Sunday’s NFC Championship would be Manning’s fifth road postseason victory, an NFL record that would break his current tie with five others passers, including Roger Staubach and Len Dawson.
Manning can become the first Giants quarterback to win two Super Bowls. Phil Simms led New York to the 1986 championship but was injured before the team’s 1990 title.
This postseason has been eerily similar to the Giants’ Super Bowl run four years ago. A New England-New York rematch is possible, with the Patriots facing Baltimore in Sunday’s AFC Championship. Manning led 12-point underdog New York to a 17-14 victory over then 18-0 New England and earned the Super Bowl MVP.
However, Manning must play better than he did in the 27-20 loss to San Francisco on Nov. 13. Former Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers grabbed two interceptions that day, though Manning threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns.
Ironically, Manning might not remain the big man in New York for long. Peyton Manning probably will become a free agent in March, and the New York Jets are a possible suitor.
The Manning brothers take Manhattan?
“Yeah, it would be fun,” Eli Manning joked on ESPN New York 1050. “We could probably commute to work maybe. We could come home, eat dinner together, have the kids playing. … We can share notes on opponents and watch some film together.”
At least Eli can claim the bigger bedroom. He’s no longer just Peyton’s little brother.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
