Giants vs. 49ers: Why This Was Eli Manning's Gutsiest Performance Ever

Eli Manning has delivered a multitude of tremendous performances during his career with the New York Giants but on Sunday, in the rain, on the road, against that San Francisco 49ers defense was the gutsiest game No. 10 has ever played.

It trumped any regular-season comeback over any NFC East rival. It was better than his streak-breaking defeat over Tom Brady in Foxboro this year. To me, it was slightly more heroic than his showing in Super Bowl XLII. 

As the Giants quarterback, Eli Manning is always under the microscope, ready to take an onslaught of blame in times of disappointment and to receive profound praise in triumph.

During the 2011 season we were all trying to decide whether Manning's name should be uttered in the "elite quarterback" discussion along with his brother Peyton, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and a few others.

He doesn't have to live in his brother's shadow anymore. 

Now there's no question.

He is absolutely an elite signal-caller.

Manning succeeded against all odds against the 49ers to make his second Super Bowl.

San Francisco hadn't lost in front of their home crowd since Week 2. Their defense, led by arguably the best linebacker in the game, Patrick Willis; the probable Rookie of the Year, Aldon Smith; and Player of the Year candidate, Justin Smith, wreaked havoc all evening in a rain-soaked, throwback battle.

With his jersey stretched out and spotted with mud, body seemingly beat down, Manning came through in the most crucial moments.

The 31-year-old Manning was sacked six times, and San Fran registered a total of 12 quarterback hits. 

Yet, he fought on.

He found Mario Manningham in the end zone for the go-ahead score with 8:34 remaining and finished the game 32-of-58 for 316 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions all while fighting steady rain throughout. 

Head coach Tom Coughlin needed a warrior-like effort from his quarterback, and despite all the pressure, weather and talent on defense, Eli Manning persevered, again.

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