Peyton still the better Manning

Now that the New York Giants are a game away from winning their second Super Bowl in five years, sportswriters such as Bill Simmons and Rick Reilly have brought up the possibility that perhaps Giants quarterback Eli Manning will end up having a better career than his older brother, Peyton. The argument in favor of Eli goes along these lines: The 35-year old Peyton Manning, who missed the entire 2011 season due to his third neck surgery in two years, has not ruled out retirement. Meanwhile, Eli Manning, who just turned 31, is completely healthy, was elected to the Pro Bowl this season and is one victory away from having won more Super Bowls than Peyton. However, any examination that lasts for more than 15 seconds makes it abundantly clear that while Eli Manning is a very good quarterback, Peyton Manning is one of the greatest of all time.

The idea that Eli could eclipse Peyton represents a classic case of "What have you done for me lately?" Since Peyton did not play all season and his Indianapolis Colts were the worst team in the NFL, it is easy to minimize the 13 seasons before, when he never missed a game and put up positively legendary numbers each season. Since Peyton began his career six years before Eli, it makes more sense to compare their statistics versus their peers rather than merely against one another.

In each of Eli's first four seasons, he posted a below-average passer rating, yards per attempt and completion percentage. Only in his past four seasons can he be viewed as an above-average starting quarterback. Upon examination of the elder Manning, however, we get a different picture entirely. For 12 consecutive full seasons of work, Peyton amassed an above-average number of adjusted yards per attempt, completion percentage, touchdown percentage and passer rating, while throwing interceptions and getting sacked less than an average quarterback. That is dominance of which we see only among the elite quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady and Joe Montana.

However, the regular season is only part of the comparison, and Eli's supporters will happily point out Peyton's perceived struggles in the playoffs in contrast to the two times Eli has willed his inferior team to the Super Bowl thus far in his career. How true are either of these claims, however? In 10 career playoff games, Eli Manning has thrown for 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 59.8 percent completion rating and 222 yards per game. Conversely, in Peyton Manning's 18 career playoff games, he has thrown for 28 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, completing 62.9 percent of his passes and averaging 287 passing yards per game. Those playoff numbers are comparable.

The idea that Eli Manning should be the only person recognized for taking two perceived underdog teams to the Super Bowl is far overblown. Yes, Eli certainly had a positive impact on the Giants in both postseasons, but he is not the reason that they won. For both of the New York Giants teams that have made the Super Bowl under Eli Manning, they had an elite pass rush on defense that helped them rattle opposing quarterbacks. The idea that, if the Giants defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, Eli Manning will have "won" more Super Bowls than his older brother may technically be true but is also highly misleading. It takes away from the efforts of the other 52 players on the roster.

Any athlete in a team sport's success should be viewed from the prism of how much he or she helped the team try to win. Another Super Bowl victory for Eli Manning does not make up for eight seasons of far superior play by his older brother when viewing the two against one another. The idea that we can project greatness from an active player in his peak makes us forget those who have actually achieved that greatness for an extended period of time.