10 Reasons NY Giants’ Eli Manning Belongs in the Hall of Fame
By David Solow
Reason #2: Eli Manning is one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks of all time:
There have been only three instances of a starting QB beating three 13-win teams in a single postseason: Eli Manning (2011), Eli Manning (2007), and Ben Roethlisberger (2005).
Manning’s 8-4 record playoff doesn’t tell the whole story. Even Manning’s 15 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the playoffs won’t paint the entire picture. His playoff record includes wins over Tom Brady (twice), Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, and an all-time great 2011 San Fransisco defense. All of Manning’s playoff wins were on the road, except one.
Manning was able to take down some of the greatest quarterbacks and coaches of all time, at the peak of their powers. In 2008, he triumphed over the ultimate football Goliath when he beat the 18-0 New England Patriots.
He outplayed the greatest quarterback of all time in that game. In the minds of Hall of Fame voters, that Super Bowl win should count extra.
Another Super Bowl win that should count extra should be the one in 2012. Manning outplayed Brady for a second time in that game, on his way to winning his second Super Bowl MVP. Not only did Manning outplay Brady, but the NY Giants’ QB outclassed Bill Belichick for the second time.
Belichick, the greatest defensive mastermind the game has ever seen, was no match for Eli in Super Bowl 46.
Taking away Manning’s favorite target from that season, Victor Cruz, did not impact the effectiveness of Manning. Manning simply found Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, going 30 for 40 for 296 yards despite any adjustments made by the former NY Giants defensive coordinator.
Another Goliath defeated by Manning was the 2011 Packers. 2011 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers was supposed to cruise through the playoffs that year. That 15-1 Packers team had arguably the greatest offense of all time. With Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, James Jones, and Jermichael Finley catching passes, an elite offensive line, and Pro Bowl fullback John Kuhn, the Packers were a juggernaut. Rodgers had plenty of weapons to play with.
Aaron Rodgers was no match for 2011 Eli Manning.
Manning sealed the deal before half-time when he threw a beautiful Hail Mary with no time left in the second quarter. Manning beat Rodgers at his own game.
The following week he beat another team chock full of Pro Bowlers, this time on the defensive side. The 2011 49ers had eight Pro Bowlers on defense that season including inside linebacker Patrick Willis, safety Dashon Goldson, cornerback Carlos Rogers, defensive tackle Justin Smith, linebacker NaVorro Bowman, linebacker Ahmad Brooks, defensive tackle Ray McDonald, and safety Donte Whitner.
Many will argue that this win over San Francisco was Manning’s greatest ever performance. He was sacked 6 times and hit 20 times. It seemed like his shoulder pads were crooked or he was looking out of the ear hole of his helmet every other play.
Including the performance vs. the 49ers in the 2011 NFC Championship, Manning has five game-winning drives in the playoffs on his resume. This ties him with Joe Montana for 3rd all-time. He only trails Tom Brady and John Elway in playoff game-winning drives.
Manning has more playoff wins than Johnny Unitas, Steve Young, and Fran Tarkenton. His 67% playoff win percentage beats Peyton Manning, Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers, and Jim Kelly. Additionally, in beating Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, Manning is responsible for two of the six playoff games the Packers have lost in Green Bay.
In his final ever playoffs in January 2017, Eli came out hot in another below-freezing game in Green Bay.
The degree of difficulty combined with one of the higher playoff winning percentages makes Manning a top-five playoff quarterback of all time.