Super Bowl 2012: Eli Manning Still Has to Prove He's Elite

Super Bowl XLVI is very important for Eli Manning, as it could determine whether he moves into the elite quarterback class with Tom Brady and older brother Peyton Manning or stays in the second tier with the likes of Philip Rivers.

Manning certainly has a number of bright spots on his resume. He led his team to a victory in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots, while earning Super Bowl MVP honors for his performance in that game.

However, he has yet to come near the accomplishments accrued by the likes of Brady or the elder Manning. The former is a seven-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and two-time NFL MVP. Brady has also won three Super Bowls while getting Super Bowl MVP honors twice.

And older brother Peyton is even farther ahead. The elder Manning is an 11-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All-Pro (five of those are first team), and four time NFL MVP. He won Super Bowl XLI, while bringing home the Super Bowl MVP that year as well.

Conversely, Eli only made his second Pro Bowl when he was named to the NFC roster this season. He has never been an All-Pro and has never been NFL MVP. He has had a considerably less decorated career thus far.

Statistically, Eli is behind as well. He has a career passer rating of 82.1, with only 185 touchdowns to 129 interceptions and a completion percentage of 58.4. He has 27,579 passing yards in his career.

Comparatively, Peyton Manning has a career passer rating of 94.9 with his 399 touchdowns dwarfing his 198 interceptions. He has completed 64.9 percent of his passes while throwing for 54,828 yards.

Tom Brady has a career passer rating of 96.4 with 300 touchdowns to just 115 interceptions. He has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 39,979 yards.

In his eight-year NFL career with the New York Giants, Eli Manning has been very inconsistent. He has been excellent at times, but also off at others (like last year when he threw 25 interceptions).

However, if Eli is able to bring home the Lombardi Trophy for the second time this season, he will have to be moved into the class of elite quarterbacks. He has played phenomenally in the playoffs, throwing eight touchdowns with just one interception and accruing a passer rating of 103.1.

Like Ben Roethlisberger, a second championship means his statistical shortcomings will be overlooked. NFL football is all about winning Super Bowls, and a second one for Eli Manning would mean he would have one more ring than his brother, and the same amount as Big Ben.

Thus, this Super Bowl will not only determine whether the Giants or the Patriots bring home a championship, it will also decide where Eli Manning stands among the best quarterbacks in the NFL.