Why Hate Eli?

New York Giants QB Eli Manning.

Earlier this week on ESPN2's First Take, both Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless said that Eli Manning will cement his standing as an elite quarterback if he can win in Green Bay for the Divisional Round. Now, there are many articles and blogs stating that Manning has now cemented his status as an elite quarterback. Did it really take one game for Eli Manning to establish himself as elite?

Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers has always been labeled in the elite company of quarterbacks, yet all he has done throughout his career is manage the offense while the defense won them football games. When it came to the most important playoff games, Roethlisberger has played poorly. In the AFC Divisional Round against the New York Jets in 2004, the Steelers were lucky Jets' kicker Doug Brien missed two field goals he should've made. Roethlisberger had an interception returned for a touchdown and played awfully despite the win.

The very next week, in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, the Patriots were not letting the Steelers off the hook with his poor play. They dominated easily in Pittsburgh as they went on to win their third Super Bowl in four seasons two weeks later. The next year, in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, he played arguably the worst game for a quarterback in the Super Bowl in a winning effort. Lastly, in last year's AFC Championship Game against the Jets, he probably had the worst performance of any quarterback in a winning effort as well.

Yet, Roethlisberger is always rated above Manning because of the team's success. The Steelers have far and beyond the much better defense. Manning had an elite season in 2009, but it was the Giants' defense who set an NFL record by giving up 40 points five times that season that cost them a playoff birth late in the season. Last season, it was the defense who couldn't hold a 31-10 fourth quarter lead that cost them an NFC East crown and a playoff birth. Who's fault is that?

Manning did throw a league-high 25 interceptions last season. However, about ten of them went through receivers hands, as the Giants' wide receivers led the league in drops. Also, Drew Brees threw 22 interceptions last year, yet he was still placed in the elite category. As a matter of fact, Manning did exactly what Brees did last year; at least 30 touchdowns, at least 20 interceptions, and at least 4,000 passing yards. Yet, the Giants lose because Manning turned the ball over a ton.

Manning almost had 5,000 passing yards en route to another great season, and an NFL record 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Yet, people criticized the decision to put Manning ahead of Matthew Stafford in the Pro Bowl. How disrespected is Manning? In last year's list of Top 100 NFL players of 2011, Manning didn't even crack the list. Quarterbacks who cracked the list include Donovan McNabb, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman.

It's not time to put Eli Manning in the top 5 quarterback's list. Manning was already top 5 for a couple of seasons now. Since his first Super Bowl win, Manning has been nothing short of fantastic. For the New York Giants franchise, this is the best stretch of success they have ever seen. Since Manning became the full-time starter at the start of the 2005 season, the Giants have not had a losing record. Then again, it was the defense who's responsible!