NFL Week 9 Picks: Why Eli Manning Will Outshine Tom Brady and Beat Patriots

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will beat the New England Patriots on Sunday and outperform defending NFL MVP Tom Brady.

When Eli Manning said earlier this summer that he was in the same class of quarterbacks as Brady many people thought he was a fool, but Manning's stats this season are very close to Brady's, and in fact he is beating the Patriots quarterback in some categories.

Manning is actually committing fewer turnovers than Brady this season, as while Brady has eight interceptions (he had four all of last season) Manning has just five so far.

Protecting the ball is a huge concern for Giants fans, especially since Manning set a career high with 25 interceptions a year ago.

Manning has been protecting the ball much better this season, and is third in the NFL in passer rating at 102.1, trailing only Brady and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

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"He doesn't get the recognition he deserves," guard David Diehl said. "For us, it's something that we see. It's the way that he works, the way he prepares either out on the field or breaking down film or getting with the wide receivers or checking and making alerts and audibles at the line of scrimmage."

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Manning will be mightily important in a game the Giants will win Sunday against the Patriots. New England's pass defense is ranked dead last in football, and was dominated last week by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Not only are the Patriots unable create an effective pass rush, they cannot cover anyone. Pro Bowl cornerback Devin McCourty has taken a step back this season, and has not been the playmaker in the secondary he was a year ago in his rookie season.

The team just cut veteran corner Leigh Bodden in a questionable personnel move, and they are playing guys signed off the streets in many plays.

Manning will carve up the Patriots secondary with wide receivers Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz. Like many of the Steelers wideouts last week, this Giants duo is fast and runs good routes. It won't be hard for them to get open and create big plays.

With an offensive line that is getting healthier, Manning will have ample time to sit in the pocket and find the open receiver. There is little chance the Patriots can get a pass rush going and disrupt Manning this week.

They haven't done it all season, and nothing has happened recently to make me think otherwise. Manning's passing attack will carry the Giants to victory on Sunday and improve their record to 6-2 atop the NFC East division.

Manning has the potential to outperform Brady on a normal day, but when the amazing Giants pass rush gets to Brady often on Sunday, it will look a lot like the Super Bowl XLII nightmare for Brady.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates. Follow @NicholasGoss35