2012 NFC Championship: Eli Manning Proving He...

As the 2012 NFC Championship game approaches, once again NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the "other" quarterback in the game. Last week when the Giants went into Green Bay and pounded the Packers, all eyes were on Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. This was Rodgers' time to shine and keep the Lombardi Trophy in its rightful home. No one gave that memo to Eli Manning.

Always living under the shadow of big brother Peyton, and never seemingly mentioned with quarterbacks Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Ben Roethlisberger, Eli has quietly handled the intensity of a New York media market and produced under pressure by winning a Super Bowl and having the Giants back in the NFC Championship game this season.

Why not. Aaron Rodgers was the "can't miss" MVP just 10 days ago and Manning and the Giants went through the pack like sliced bread.

In Manning's last four games, he has thrown for 10 touchdowns and nearly 1,200 yards...and oh by the way he faced "better" or shall it be said, "more popular" quarterbacks in every victory (NY Jets' Mark Sanchez, Dallas' Tony Romo, Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers).

So what more can a QB do for an encore? Head into the NFC Championship game vs. San Francisco and see how their QB Alex Smith is coming of age. It's true, Smith is getting better, but time will tell if Smith and the 49ers are a one trick pony or here to stay.

Comments: 3

Erik Lambert Jan 21, 2012, 12:05am UTC

Eli went 9-7. The only reason he's getting noticed now is because he engineered a few impressive comebacks. Aaron Rodgers went 15-1 and threw 46 touchdowns. Ring or not, he is the clear cut MVP. It won't matter either way if Eli wins the Super Bowl anyway.

Joseph Karbousky Jan 21, 2012, 12:40pm UTC

I know what your saying Eric....but you seem like like a big sports guy, so let me ask you this....(and this is just my opinion on ALL sports)

The Giants wouldn't be there without Eli....The Packers most likely wouldn't be where they were without A Rog...

But...I thought the MVP was supposed to go to the player who is MOST Valuable to their team...(a difference maker) 'as defined by the commissioner himself '...we both know the MVP award in most sports is a popularity contest anyways...I just think Eli gets over looked because he isn't "in Vogue"...Rodgers is....Eli threw for 5,000 yards this season....I know 4,900....but you know what I mean...

Matt Stafford had better numbers then Rodgers and he didn't even make the pro-bowl!!

It's all about popularity more than ever....that's why Shaq kept making the All Star teams when he scored 7 points a game....lol

Rodgers is....

Erik Lambert Jan 21, 2012, 1:34pm UTC

I understand your argument, Jo, and I agree Eli has had the best season of his career. My issue stands with how few wins he got out of his team. Rodgers got his team to 15-1 while his defense was ranked 32nd in the league. His running game wasn't much better. Eli had better units in both categories and still only won nine games. Another stat I look closely at is interceptions. Eli threw 16 during the regular season. Rodgers threw 6. Eli threw 29 touchdowns. Rodgers threw 46. The touchdown to interception ratio trumps yardage any day in my mind. That's why Rodgers deserves the honor.

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2012 NFC Championship: Eli Manning Proving He Deserves MVP Consideration

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