NFL: 5 Players Who Eli Manning Should Have Surpassed for ESPN's Midseason Top 50

ESPN's Scouts Inc. released its midseason top 50 list on Wednesday.

Rounding out the top five are (1) Aaron Rodgers, (2) Tom Brady, (3) Darrelle Revis, (4) Adrian Peterson, and (5) Drew Brees.

Somehow forgotten is Eli Manning, who after leading the New York Giants to their fifth fourth quarter win last week over New England, has posted a 98.8 passer rating this season and has his Giants sitting atop the NFC East at 6-2.

Here are five players who Manning should have bested for ESPN's Top 50 list:

Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers QB

Really?

Rivers has only thrown for 92 more yards than Manning this season.

He leads the league in interceptions with 14 (including two that were returned for TDs last weekend), as opposed to Manning's six.

Manning has thrown 15 TD passes, compared to Rivers' 11, and Manning's passer rating is 17 points higher than Rivers'.

Manning has led his Giants' to first place in the NFC East, while Rivers has the Chargers in a three-way tie for first in the AFC West at 4-4.

Someone please explain this to me because I'm at a loss here.

Justin Tuck, New York Giants DE

Tuck hasn't been very durable this season, playing in just four out of eight games for the Giants this season.

So how is he ranked over a guy who has played all eight games and is primarily responsible for the success of New York this season?

In four games, Tuck has 10 tackles and two sacks; that's a great single game performance for some players, and an average two game performance for most defensive players.

Putting up those types of stats as the defensive captain in four games is despicable, and doesn't make Tuck worthy of ESPN's list.

Santonio Holmes, New York Jets WR

He ranks 67th amongst WRs in receiving yards, tied for 84th in receptions, and tied for 16th in receiving touchdowns.

For comparison, the league's leading statistics in those three categories are as follows:

Receiving yards:  960

Receptions: 66

Touchdowns:  11

Holmes doesn't even lead his team in any of the three categories above, so how is he a Top 50 player and Manning isn't?

Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns CB

Let's face it. Haden had a great rookie season, compiling 64 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack.

But his 2011 campaign has been lackluster.

So far, he has 31 tackles, one sack, and ZERO interceptions.

Primarily, we base corners off of their cover skills and how many interceptions they have. 

Clearly, since he doesn't have any interceptions, he doesn't lead his own team in that statistical category, and he doesn't even lead Browns' DBs in tackles.

There's no doubt that Haden's ceiling is high, but is it currently higher than Manning's?

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions DT

The guy is a complete monster, but his numbers this season have deflated from his sensational rookie season that saw him compile 10 sacks, 66 tackles, and an interception.

So far this season, Suh has a respectable 24 tackles and three sacks.

His three sacks rank him tied for 46th in the league, and he hasn't forced or recovered a fumble this season.

For someone who is supposed to be a big-time sack guy, Suh doesn't even lead his own team in sacks.

In the years to come, Suh will be one of the league's top three most dominating defensive players, but for now, Manning's overall offensive play has outdone Suh's defensive.

Honorable Mention: Every Offensive Lineman on the List

There are five offensive lineman on the field. 

There's only one quarterback, and Eli Manning has been the MVP for his team thus far.

Bottom line: Manning deserves to be on the list.

See the complete list here.