When the New York Giants lose, quarterback Eli Manning gets the blame, and when they win, the defense gets most of the credit.
On Sunday, Manning will beat the San Francisco 49ers and lead the Giants to their second Super Bowl appearance since 2007. In doing so, he will rise among the NFL's elite players—not just quarterbacks.
Manning has already become an elite quarterback—as evidenced by his career season in 2011. He threw for 4,933 yards this year, which is over 900 yards more than his career high for single season passing yardage. His play in the fourth quarters of games this season was also tremendous.
“It’s his mentality,” Coughlin said via Yahoo Sports. “He comes into big games, he loves playing against the best competition.”
This is one major reason why Manning is a great player: He loves playing the best. That's everything you want in a football player, especially in a quarterback. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and Manning had done that in these playoffs.
It's unfair that Eli gets too little credit for the Giants success, and it ends right now.
The Giants defense—specifically their pass rush—has really helped the team get to this point. However, the most consistent part of the Giants team this season has been their passing offense.
New York's rushing attack was brutal this season, and Manning was forced to carry the offense with his right arm. Not only did he shoulder that responsibility, he did it while performing at an elite level.
Manning led the Giants to victory against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round on Sunday with 330 yards passing and three touchdown passes.
With the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL (Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham), there is no reason Manning cannot find great success against the 49ers and their No. 16 ranked passing defense.
Back in 2007, the Giants knew what they were going to get from their defense, and hoped that Manning wold not lose the game with mistakes. This season, the Giants expect Manning to win the game, and this confidence in him shows just how far he's come.
The Giants are Eli Manning's team, and on Sunday he will lead Big Blue to another NFC Championship and a chance to gain an edge over his brother Peyton in Super Bowl titles.
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