Mark Sanchez or Eli Manning: Who Is the Better QB?

Does Eli Manning's Super Bowl Automatically Make Him Better Than Mark Sanchez?

At first glance, it appears to be a lop-sided argument, and rightfully so, as Eli has a Super Bowl ring, whereas Mark Sanchez does not.

But before we come to any conclusions, let's dive into this topic a little deeper past the tip of the iceberg, and then make a conscientious, objective and unbiased decision.

Let's begin with Mark Sanchez.

This is only going to be his third year in the pros, and for the most part, critics have said that he's under-performed in being the No. 5 overall pick.

In his rookie year, his numbers were indicative of just that being a rookie.

He threw for only 2,444 yards, and only 12 TDs to 20 picks.

However, he didn't play like a rookie in the postseason that year, throwing for 539 yards in three games, including four TDs to only two picks.

As for his second season, it was much better despite all the pressure from the naysayers.

Sanchez did improve his completion percentage (even though it was only one percentage point), compiled almost 3,300 yards and threw 17 TDs to only 13 picks.

And the playoffs were even better than compared to his rookie campaign, as he accounted for five TDs to only one pick, for a total of 616 yards.

Mark Sanchez has played in two consecutive AFC Championships, has a playoff record of 4-2 through two seasons and managed to make a solid improvement from his rookie to sophomore years.

Now let's take a gander at what Eli Manning has accomplished.

He was the No. 1 overall pick in 2004, but didn't start his first full season until 2005.

That year, he threw 24 TDs to only 17 picks, and almost 3,800 yards.

It was good enough to get the Giants into the playoffs, which also happened to be the beginning of a four-year stretch of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew getting into the postseason.

2007 happened to be the magical year, as the Giants won the Super Bowl 17-14 over the undefeated New England Patriots.

That year, Eli amassed 3,336 yards, 23 TDs, but also threw 20 interceptions.

It also happened to be the second lowest QB rating of his career at 73.9.

However, he picked it up the following years and has reached over 4,000 the previous two.

But the Giants haven't made the playoffs since 2008.

So, now that we've delved into a comparison, who's better.

Well, Eli has certainly performed better in the regular season, but Sanchez has out-done Manning him the postseason.

The difference?

Eli was able to win when it mattered most, whereas Sanchez has not.

Now, this is obviously somewhat of an unfair comparison as well, because Sanchez only has two years in the NFL to Eli's seven.

In the years to come, making this decision will be easier as there will be more evidence to utilize.

2011, if anything, should tell us a lot more about where Sanchez is as an NFL QB, and whether Manning can take his game to the next level.

But until then, Eli Manning is the better QB.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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