Rams vs. Giants: Eli Manning Fails to Prove Doubters Wrong

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made waves this offseason when he proclaimed on The Michael Kay Show that he was in the same class as New England Patriots star Tom Brady.

So far, two games into the 2011 season, Manning has yet to back up those words.

After leading the Giants to just 14 points in their shocking loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 1, Manning didn't exactly light the world on fire in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams.

Manning's play was worse than his stats would suggest. He passed for two touchdowns and one interception and completed 62 percent of his passes.

But he was spotty and inconsistent—not what you'd expect from an elite quarterback at all.

The Giants' Week 2 win against the Rams was undoubtedly a big one, and it prevented them from going 0-2, but a lot of their win can be contributed more to the Rams' ineptitude than anything they did. All of the Giants' four touchdowns resulted from mistakes by the Rams, including a 65-yard fumble return by linebacker Michael Boley.

Said Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, via Yahoo! Sports:

"

“It’s a little bit of the same story as last week, we shot ourselves in the foot...It’s difficult enough to beat any football team in this league without doing that, when you kind of beat yourself.”

"

After leading the Giants to a Super Bowl victory in 2008, Manning actually regressed in 2010, tossing 31 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. So far, he's passed two touchdowns and two interceptions. He's always had the ability to be a Tom Brady-esque quarterback, but to say he is is laughable at this point.

Heck, I don't even think Peyton Manning can claim that.

The NFC has gotten a whole lot better this season, sporting the revamped Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and even Redskins.

The Giants are a good team, but the depleted secondary means Manning will have to lift them up even more this season.

So far, I just don't see that happening.