New York Giants: 3 Bold Predictions for Eli Manning's First Season as 'Elite'

After a stellar 2011 season, Eli Manning is poised for an even more impressive campaign in 2012.

After solidifying himself as an elite quarterback by winning Super Bowl XLVI, Manning no longer needs to field questions from critics about his level of play.

Now that the pressure is off, Manning will post better numbers this season than ever before.

He has a receiver in Hakeem Nicks who has three years of experience under his belt and a lightning rod in the slot who set franchise records in his rookie season in Victor Cruz.

With the addition of an offensive tight end, Manning and the Giants will be more deadly on the offensive side of the ball than ever. 

He Will Throw for More Than 5,000 Yards

The 2011 season saw Eli Manning come just short of reaching the 5,000-yard passing mark.

His 4,933 yards last season were the most of his eight-year career by far, as his best before 2011 was 4,021 in 2009.

That 2011 mark was good for fourth best in the NFL, notably better than MVP Aaron Rodgers. 

For the most part, he has improved year-by-year in terms of passing yardage per season. It's now three consecutive seasons that Manning has thrown for at least 4,000 yards.

For now, the Giants are without a bruising running back, as they released veteran RB Brandon Jacobs earlier this week.

Given what Manning showed us last season, there's no reason to think he can't eclipse the 5,000 yard mark in 2012. 

He Will Throw for at Least 35 TDs

He threw 31 touchdowns in 2010, so it's not out of the question for him to surpass his highest career total in 2012.

Manning is in the prime of his career, putting up career numbers during the past few seasons, and now with two stud wideouts to throw to.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks combined for 16 TDs in 2011, which is almost half of what I'm predicting Manning to toss next season.

The Giants will most likely add an offensive tight end during the offseason—whether it's through free agency or the draft—which which accumulate more TDs, as Jake Ballard, Travis Beckum and Bear Pascoe combined for a mere five touchdowns last season.

A healthy Ahmad Bradshaw out of the backfield also adds another passing threat for Manning and the Giants.

Look for Manning to rank in the top four quarterbacks in terms of passing TDs next season.

He Will Lead the Giants to the NFC Championship Game

Let's face it, Giants fans.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to be a lot better than they were last season.

Add that to the fact that the Washington Redskins will likely take Robert Griffin III in the NFL Draft after acquiring the second pick from the St. Louis Rams.

Now it doesn't seem so obvious that the Giants will make the postseason, does it?

Eli Manning proved last season he was clutch—especially in the fourth quarter—by throwing an NFL record 15 fourth-quarter touchdowns.

If the Giants take care of business in free agency and the NFL Draft, they'll be heading to the playoffs to make another run at a Super Bowl trophy.