Where Does Eli Manning Now Rank Amongst NFL's Top QBs?

There's no questioning it—Eli Manning is an elite quarterback.

The New York Giants signal-caller said so himself before the season began and he backed up his bold claim with 4,993 yards, 29 touchdowns and an NFC East division title.

He dismantled the Atlanta Falcons at home to kick off the postseason, then diced the Green Bay Packers secondary in a decisive road victory in Lambeau on Sunday.

Amid the best season of his career and another run at a Super Bowl title, the question must be raised: Where does Manning rank amongst the NFL's top QBs?

Right now, this is how I'd rank the league's top quarterbacks: 

1. Tom Brady
2. Peyton Manning
3. Drew Brees
4. Eli Manning
5. Aaron Rodgers
6. Ben Roethlisberger

If you're a regular-season guy, or love statistics, you probably think I'm crazy. Yes, throwing 46 touchdowns or breaking passing records matter, but that's not what it's all about. To be quite honest, I used to think that way. 

Guys that threw for the most yards or tossed the most touchdowns with the fewest interceptions were instantly vaulted to the top in my mind. 

However, each winter I'm reminded that quarterbacks must be judged by their play during the regular season and their postseason performances—the time when the pressure is intensified for the most spotlighted position in all of sports. 

If anything, success or failure in the playoffs carries added weight.  

All the signal-callers on that list are Super Bowl winners, but for me, sustained playoff accomplishments and longevity are extremely important in determining the best of the best. 

Brady's in a class by himself. 

He's a premier statistical accumulator during the regular season and a 15-5 playoff record along with three Super Bowl titles tell me the rest. He's done it with no-names, Randy Moss, a good defense, a bad defense, as a front-runner playing with a lead and most definitely facing a deficit. 

While Peyton Manning isn't a disappointing postseason player, he's 9-10 all-time in the playoffs and comparing that record to what he does in the first 16 games, he's certainly underwhelmed in his career. 

I placed Brees ahead of Eli because of the deficiencies on his team. I'm not huge on guys that go on one "magical run," but it's clear with the New Orleans Saints QB—he's got what it takes to win multiple Super Bowls. 

His defense...not so much. 

Eli Manning has the chance to unseat Brees at the No. 3 spot with a win over the San Francisco 49ers this weekend. Two legitimate Super Bowl "runs" prove he's among the best. He has thrown at least 21 touchdowns during the seven regular seasons in which he's been the starter in New York and has won three division titles. 

Think about who Eli has defeated in the playoffs and where he's done it. He shocked Brett Favre in Green Bay. He clipped Tom Brady and arguably the best team in league history. He stunned Aaron Rodgers on the road. 

Quite the playoff resume. 

I'll take an impressive playoff resume over the best regular-season one any day.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso