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Eli Manning: Is Giants’ QB A 2016 NFL MVP Candidate?

By Evan Graziano

Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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After more than 8,800 yards and 65 touchdowns in two seasons with a new offensive system, Eli Manning appears to have found his next gear in his mid 30’s. While the New York Giants continue to struggle, Manning has found something in this new offense, and he does not appear to be slowing down.

Going into the 2016 season, Manning is even being brought up in discussions as a potential most valuable player, something that has never happened in his career to this point. Will another season putting up impressive numbers and a prospective playoff appearance in the making , catapult Eli Manning to the NFL MVP award?

According to the website, Bovada, which is licensed as an online casino and also offers sports book offerings, New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning is a 25 to 1 shot at being named the NFL’s most valuable player. Of course, Las Vegas betting odds take little into account other than making a profit, so it is interesting to see Eli Manning’s name mentioned in MVP conversations with the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson.

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Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs off the field after losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Manning’s career has been an incredible display of deplorable football and transcendent moments. Eli is rarely thought of in the same conversation as his contemporaries, names like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and the now retired Peyton. At times, it seems more people recognize Eli for a funny face or a terrible interception. His play on the field is never at the forefront of conversation.

He is certainly a polarizing figure and for the past 12 years, Manning has too often been looked at in the shadow of his brother. While Peyton was undeniably great, Eli has established himself as a great player in his own right, who has not only won just as many championships as his brother, but has steadily climbed many career rankings that Peyton stands atop of.

For all his great play and consistency, before this season he had never been in the discussion for NFL MVP.  Even NFL Network is discussing his potential, along with Superman, do-it-all, greatest athlete on Earth Cam Newton. 

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Eagles Nation still despises Eli Manning despite so much time passing
Eagles Nation still despises Eli Manning despite so much time passing /

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    • In order for Manning to be named MVP and continue to be deserving of a place in this discussion, obviously his play must be superb; but to some degree, whatever success he has personally, will need to be reflected in how his team performs.  Even as the Giants have managed only 12 wins the past two seasons, Manning’s stats have consistently been in the top five in the NFL, leading people to go into this season with the notion that he has a good chance to do it again.

    The most important determining factor in this is winning.  His stats have put him in the conversation, but now his team must win football games for their to be legitimate reason for Manning to be named MVP.

    However, in the scope of winning and putting up gaudy numbers, Eli should already have hoisted a MVP trophy.  In 2011, supported by a 25th ranked defense and a less than dominating running game, Manning put up one of the greatest seasons ever by a quarterback.  In a year where quarterbacks tore up the league with a record three eclipsing 5,000 passing yards, Eli was a mere 67 yards away from being only the sixth player in NFL history at the time to pass that threshold.

    These statistics can be insignificant when looking at his season in totality; he led the league with seven – fourth quarter comebacks, broke Johnny Unitas’ record of fourth quarter touchdown passes with 15 and knocked off defending Super Bowl champ and NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs at Lambeau.  While post season performances are not considered in MVP discussions, these examples show the type of game Eli was playing in 2011, where even in a so-called risky Kevin Gilbride offensive system, he managed to lead his team to crucial wins down the stretch and a four game post season streak that could only be rivaled by his in 2007. 

    While a MVP award would validate Eli Manning as a first ballot Hall of Famer, his performance does not always coincide with the success of his team.  His 2011 season was incomparable, and while quarterback ratings and statistics don’t reflect it, that season was his greatest and certainly the most legitimate opportunity for him to win a MVP award.  This season, however, remains to be seen, and perhaps with the added MVP publicity and the expectations and desperation of fans and ownership, another MVP performance could be in store.

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