Giants vs. Packers: Comparing Styles of Elite QBs Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning

In Sunday’s afternoon matchup between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers, fans will see two of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the game, the Giants’ Eli Manning and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers had arguably the best year any quarterback ever had in a one-loss season for Green Bay, throwing 45 touchdowns against just six interceptions and setting an NFL record 122.5 quarterback rating.

That being said, Manning actually threw for more yards (4,933 to 4,643) than Rodgers and has been better coming down the stretch. Manning threw 15 fourth-quarter touchdowns, a new NFL record (Rodgers had 10).

The similarity in numbers reflects a similarity in styles in the two QBs, both of whom are dropback quarterbacks who can move around in the pocket as need but who would rather air it out.

And when the two matched up back on Dec. 4, they put on a major show. Rodgers threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns while Manning hit for 347 and three scores.

One of the things that Rodgers and Manning have done is to become poster children for the back shoulder throw.

Rodgers and the Packers receivers have been masters at the back shoulder pass, making the throw away from defensive back’s momentum and toward the receiver’s back shoulder. Manning is getting better at it all the time.

Both are good, too, at eluding pressure, although much of that has to do with the quality of the offensive line playing in front of them. Heading into Sunday’s matchup in Lambeau Field, both defenses are trying to make sure they can slam on the pressure as much as possible to take two obviously comfortable quarterbacks uncomfortable.

If there is one thing that separates the two, it’s that if Rodgers must run, he can. He took off for 257 yards and three touchdowns; Manning went for just 15 yards and one TD.

On a cold day in Green Bay, it’s likely that these two will light up the night with their passes.