Super Bowl 2012 Victory Could Solidify Eli Manning as an All-Time Great

In case you didn't notice, due to the formidable shadow casted by big brother Peyton, Eli Manning is on the cusp of legendary status.

The accomplishment that is within reach, coupled with his underrated career puts him in rare company. Don't let Peyton's greatness cause you to sleep on one of the best QBs in the last 15 years.

If the New York Giants can knock off the New England Patriots and win their second Super Bowl in four years, no man will have played a greater hand in their success.

Eli Manning has endured an enormous amount of spotlight, expectations and criticism, because of his famous and successful family.

But here he stands, after all of that, a game away from joining a list that includes:

Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Plunkett, Joe Montana, Phil Simms, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Tom Brady and Ben Roethisberger.

All these men have quarterbacked two or more Super Bowl winning teams.

Of all those players, only two of the retired group have yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (Simms and Plunkett), of the active players, both Brady and Roethlisberger seem like locks for Canton when they hang up the cleats. 

That distinction of multiple Super Bowl winners is an elite group and it is a huge and rare accomplishment on an NFL QBs resume.

The competition in the Super Bowl would be duly noted as well. If the Giants win on Super Bowl Sunday, Eli will own two wins over one of the most successful QB in history in Tom Brady.

In 2008, the Patriots were of course huge favorites, as it was their undefeated season. Eli lead his team to victory with 255 yards passing and two TDs.

This year, the Patriots aren't undefeated, but they are still favorites.

To thwart Brady again, would be legendary stuff, and give Eli something Peyton never had, which is the edge on Brady in the postseason.

He would be 2-0 lifetime against 'Tom Terrific', while Peyton is only 1-2 against Brady and the Pats in the post-season.

Eli has made a name for himself in the regular season as well. Manning has already thrown for 27,579 yards in his career, that's good for 51st all-time. With another 4,000 yard season next year, he'll be in the top 35, and he's only 30.

Health permitting, Eli could play for another nine years. Even at an average of 3,000 yards per season, from now until then, he'd be close to 55,000 for his career.

If Peyton doesn't play again, which unfortunately looks very possible, that would put Eli just past him.

Eli is at the door step of finally getting the recognition he deserves. Pulling one more upset will make him truly elite.