Peyton Manning Is About to Watch Eli Become Greatest Manning QB

Eli Manning is about to be the Manning people think of when they are talking football. This has happened so suddenly that it still looks awkward on the screen. 

That is not surprising, given how far this notion has had to travel in a single season to arrive at legitimacy. 

This past offseason, had someone mentioned in a bar that Eli would soon pass Peyton, it would have been met with a chorus of comments that were something to the effect of "Yeah, and monkeys are about to fly out of my butt." 

At that point, Peyton was on top of his game as one of the greatest QBs football had ever seen. And while he was 35, the end of his career was nowhere in sight.

This was, after all, the QB that had never missed a start in his 208 NFL games, and was still clearly at the peak of his capabilities. Peyton seemed like he had at least another four elite seasons in him with a great chance to add to his one Super Bowl victory—the only number he has that is not absolutely elite. 

Eli, on the other hand, was a solid but flawed QB, who had some clutch moments, but also crippling failures. He had just led the NFL in interceptions. He was also no spring chicken. 

The Giants QB was 30 years old when this season started. It's not like he had a lot of time to make up the massive ground to surpass his brother. 

A lot can change in a season. Peyton didn't play a down this season, and he faces the real possibility of never playing another one, while Eli has been superb in leading the Giants to another Super Bowl. 

Rise of Eli

Eli has bounced back in a big way from a season in which he led the the NFL in interceptions. He has led a dynamic Giants' passing attack, and he has done it with a bad offensive line and little to no running game. 

Despite these two massive things working against him he put together one of his finest years as he threw for the most yards of his career and had his second-best QB rating. 

Still, Eli's regular season stats pale in comparison to Peyton's. That is not where or how Eli is going to pass Peyton. That is being done in the postseason. 

Eli has always been at his best in the postseason, and this season is certainly cementing that fact. Eli has thrown for eight touchdowns and just one interception in this postseason. 

And he is on the verge of winning his second Super Bowl. And that is a number that it is looking increasingly like Peyton will never be able to catch. 

With a strong Super Bowl and years of prime performances ahead, Eli is ready to be the face that comes to mind when fans hear the name Manning.