His play combined with his resilience was amazing against the Niners in the Championship game. It was truly a thing of beauty. He put that team on his back that day and sent us to the Super Bowl.
A total throwback game, might as well have been 1990. Eli took a million punches and just kept getting up.
The 3rd & 15 throw to Manningham for the TD is one of my all time favorite plays, then Nicks, Cruz & Manningham walked back to the sidelines together. It was always unlikely we were going to be able to afford Manningham, but I still think what if Nicks & Cruz stayed healthy.
those of us who are Giants fans or those who watched it can appreciate what a performance it was, in so many ways stuff that doesn't show up in the box score
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
those of us who are Giants fans or those who watched it can appreciate what a performance it was, in so many ways stuff that doesn't show up in the box score
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
those of us who are Giants fans or those who watched it can appreciate what a performance it was, in so many ways stuff that doesn't show up in the box score
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
Any other QB save maybe Kapp, would have been in the fetal position by the second quarter. This is when Etard finally became my QB... Tough as nails, or stupid as heck, either way, my QB !!!!!
It was the best game I have ever seen a quarterback play. I've thought long and hard for years and just can't think of anyone else that would have sat back there, took that beating and just kept delivering.
That 49er defense played good enough to dominate anyone in history that day but Eli somehow found a way.
Why does the rest of the team have to be minimized to praise Eli?
He did not pu that team on his back. The defense played awesome, along with special teams. Both Super Bowl runs showed a team playing complete football.
Giants games that I rank right up there with the SB wins are the two Championship games vs. SF. Both were just wars of attrition and in both, the Giants eked out wins. There aren't many games in NFL history that can compare to either of those two games.
and his grit. It wasn't just this game, but he demonstrated it throughout his career. You can say all you want about declining talent, but you it's inarguable that Eli was among the toughest QB's in NFL history.
I would favorably compare this SF game to another big Giants win in SB XXV. Jeff Hostetler took more of a beating from one of the best defenses in NFL history and stayed on his feet.
A total throwback game, might as well have been 1990. Eli took a million punches and just kept getting up.
The 3rd & 15 throw to Manningham for the TD is one of my all time favorite plays, then Nicks, Cruz & Manningham walked back to the sidelines together. It was always unlikely we were going to be able to afford Manningham, but I still think what if Nicks & Cruz stayed healthy.
Go find me a Phillip Rivers championship performance like that. Tony Romo? Pick any of the QBs outside of Brees Brady and Rodgers people feel are more deserving. Fantasy stats are nice, but performances like the '9'ers game (and several others Eli put together in his two runs) are special.
Go find me a Phillip Rivers championship performance like that. Tony Romo? Pick any of the QBs outside of Brees Brady and Rodgers people feel are more deserving. Fantasy stats are nice, but performances like the '9'ers game (and several others Eli put together in his two runs) are special.
To be fair about enshrinement... it's not about a couple of runs; it's about playing consistently at a high level. I wouldn't want Canton to use a great game, or a couple of great playoff runs as a benchmark for any QB.
He really was phenomenal all season, but that game in particular stands out.
Have to agree, mostly cause of the beating he took that game at the hands of that 49er defense, but he just kept getting back up each time. My fave play of that game was very late in that game when he was being chased down by 3 Niner defenders and somehow heaved a pass down the sideline to Bradshaw that got them inside the 50 yard line. At the time I thought that play was the game winner but they couldn't advance any further and the game ended up going to OT
Go find me a Phillip Rivers championship performance like that. Tony Romo? Pick any of the QBs outside of Brees Brady and Rodgers people feel are more deserving. Fantasy stats are nice, but performances like the '9'ers game (and several others Eli put together in his two runs) are special.
Exactly. And Eli has the career stats as well. Not to the Brees Brady or Rodgers level, obviously. But he is a HOFer
Pressure stats. I think I post these annually on this day
in terms of showing the world how tough he is physically and mentally. You can't argue with anyone who chooses this as Eli's best game because of the absolute balls he showed on that day. However, it's not my choice for best Eli game. That Niners D did dominate in the 2nd half and although that obviously wasn't Eli's fault, it's hard for me to choose it as his best game. Don't get me wrong, it's in my top 5.
My personal choice for "Eli's best game" was the 1st 2011 Cowboys game with the season on the line. Eli Manning peaked as an NFL player during the two drives to end that game imo. He was just in a zone and would not be denied the win despite the season basically being 99% over at the start of those two drives. It's my favorite Eli game.
I believe SB XLVI is a really underrated performance in Eli's career because of the relatively low points total. Both the Pats and Giants offenses were driving down the field slowly but efficiently, the Giants only had 8 drives in that game (as opposed to the 17 vs. San Fran in the NFC Championship). But just watching the game, I don't think Eli has ever thrown the ball as consistently well as he did that night. It was just pure precision. Obviously there's the Manningham sideline throw which might be the GOAT throw in league history, but Eli made so many great tight window throws in that game and did it with ease. It felt like Eli and Nicks had a telepathic connection that game. To me all things considered, this win is probably the most significant in Eli's career when you combine what was on the line and how well he played.
Thought this would be a good place to put this new photo of Eli.
But I feel like both NFC Championship games against the Niners and Packers were career-defining performances for Eli, as much as the Super Bowl winning drives. I would put him in the Hall for those performances alone, if any other media-favorite QB had performances like that in those conditions we'd never hear the end of it. Picture of the GOAT - ( New Window )
you cement your status and earned your button in the NFL. Do it twice, especially the way Eli did, basically playing elite football in those two runs, and you're a legend. This game embodied everything about Eli.
You can take the questionable regular season games and bury them all as far as I am concerned. 1 run is good enough. 2 is legendary no matter what anyone says. It rarely happens but Eli did it.
Yeah, It is the one that I used most often to challenge those that claimed he had not declined. I was flabbergasted by the people that thought he was still the same in 2018. I would go back to those highlights from that game in awe. That guy was elite, playing at a level that few ever have. Fuck stats, I am talking competitive warrior. He was like a puncher that kept getting knocked down but springing up from the canvas and keeps coming at you until he knocks you the fuck out. Mario Manningham anyone? Eli will always be the man and this was the game that screamed it.
Since the 2000s, Brady, Ben and Favre are the only QBs I can think of
Without laughing at the thought of them behind our line, I would consider Big Game QBs, in terms of toughness, grit, heart, and ability to make a play after getting the crap kicked out of you.
Im iffy on Rodgers since his mobility would change the defense, but could get him killed. I wouldn’t take Peyton or Brees on the road (Brees couldn’t beat them at home the week before). Am I missing anyone from the last 20 years who could’ve done what Elisha did? Only slightly hyperbolic.
From 2000- present, if you need a QB for *one game* (not specifically that game), I’m picking Eli or Brady, in that order. .
The 3rd & 15 throw to Manningham for the TD is one of my all time favorite plays, then Nicks, Cruz & Manningham walked back to the sidelines together. It was always unlikely we were going to be able to afford Manningham, but I still think what if Nicks & Cruz stayed healthy.
But it is hard to pass over the two Super Bowl wins. The final drives in both games were masterpieces.
The 49ers game was true grit and pure will.
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
Well said.
Don't want to get into the comparison game too much, except to say I think there are several QBs the masses consider better than Eli who wouldn't have been able to take the beating Eli took and still deliver in that game
Any other QB save maybe Kapp, would have been in the fetal position by the second quarter. This is when Etard finally became my QB... Tough as nails, or stupid as heck, either way, my QB !!!!!
That 49er defense played good enough to dominate anyone in history that day but Eli somehow found a way.
Ditto!!!
After the game he said, "Man - he was so good, no wonder you love him...what happened?"
My response, "He got old - just like me - I used to be good at stuff too :)"
He took a shit kicking and just refused to back down. AWESOME game from Eli.
A truly gutsy performance & my favorite Eli game.
I would favorably compare this SF game to another big Giants win in SB XXV. Jeff Hostetler took more of a beating from one of the best defenses in NFL history and stayed on his feet.
The 3rd & 15 throw to Manningham for the TD is one of my all time favorite plays, then Nicks, Cruz & Manningham walked back to the sidelines together. It was always unlikely we were going to be able to afford Manningham, but I still think what if Nicks & Cruz stayed healthy.
Jet blue
To be fair about enshrinement... it's not about a couple of runs; it's about playing consistently at a high level. I wouldn't want Canton to use a great game, or a couple of great playoff runs as a benchmark for any QB.
Have to agree, mostly cause of the beating he took that game at the hands of that 49er defense, but he just kept getting back up each time. My fave play of that game was very late in that game when he was being chased down by 3 Niner defenders and somehow heaved a pass down the sideline to Bradshaw that got them inside the 50 yard line. At the time I thought that play was the game winner but they couldn't advance any further and the game ended up going to OT
Exactly. And Eli has the career stats as well. Not to the Brees Brady or Rodgers level, obviously. But he is a HOFer
The real question is this the best performance by any QB in a game, not just Eli's best game. I think it's worthy of discussion.
My personal choice for "Eli's best game" was the 1st 2011 Cowboys game with the season on the line. Eli Manning peaked as an NFL player during the two drives to end that game imo. He was just in a zone and would not be denied the win despite the season basically being 99% over at the start of those two drives. It's my favorite Eli game.
I believe SB XLVI is a really underrated performance in Eli's career because of the relatively low points total. Both the Pats and Giants offenses were driving down the field slowly but efficiently, the Giants only had 8 drives in that game (as opposed to the 17 vs. San Fran in the NFC Championship). But just watching the game, I don't think Eli has ever thrown the ball as consistently well as he did that night. It was just pure precision. Obviously there's the Manningham sideline throw which might be the GOAT throw in league history, but Eli made so many great tight window throws in that game and did it with ease. It felt like Eli and Nicks had a telepathic connection that game. To me all things considered, this win is probably the most significant in Eli's career when you combine what was on the line and how well he played.
But I feel like both NFC Championship games against the Niners and Packers were career-defining performances for Eli, as much as the Super Bowl winning drives. I would put him in the Hall for those performances alone, if any other media-favorite QB had performances like that in those conditions we'd never hear the end of it.
Picture of the GOAT - ( New Window )
Well, there was an almost interception when two DBs collided into each other.
It was a game where points were at an absolute premium. I don't recall where that happened on the field or game time, but could have cost the game.
You can take the questionable regular season games and bury them all as far as I am concerned. 1 run is good enough. 2 is legendary no matter what anyone says. It rarely happens but Eli did it.
Im iffy on Rodgers since his mobility would change the defense, but could get him killed. I wouldn’t take Peyton or Brees on the road (Brees couldn’t beat them at home the week before). Am I missing anyone from the last 20 years who could’ve done what Elisha did? Only slightly hyperbolic.
From 2000- present, if you need a QB for *one game* (not specifically that game), I’m picking Eli or Brady, in that order. .
Well, there was an almost interception when two DBs collided into each other.
It was a game where points were at an absolute premium. I don't recall where that happened on the field or game time, but could have cost the game.
Well, shortly after that, the refs flagged Rocky Benard for a bullshit unsportsmanlike conduct call even though his mouth was clearly bleeding.
49ers got around midfield anyway (where the INT was dropped) and were stuffed on 3rd and 1.