At the beginning of the year, Eli Manning was asked whether or not he thought he was in the elite class of QB's in the NFL. He said he was in that class with Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Many analysts questioned Eli for saying that and thought the statement was false. None of those analysts are speaking at the moment.
Super Bowl XLVI was earlier today and it featured a Super Bowl Rematch from XLII: The New York Giants vs. the New England Patriots. It seemed the two weeks leading up to to this game, only two things were ever talked about. One was about Rob Gronkowski and whether or not he would be able to play well with that high ankle sprain. The second was, considering it was being played in Indianapolis, was simply speculation about Peyton Manning and whether or not he would return to the Colts. Only the first thing was answered. Gronkowski seemed ineffective for the most part making only two catches for 26 yards and no TDs.
Outside of Gronkowski, it was still a great game. Brady was sacked for a safety early in the game when he threw it away down field. Those were the first points scored in this Super Bowl. The Giants would capitalize off the drive caused by the safety scoring a TD pass to Victor Cruz. When the second quarter came, the Pats owned it with a FG and then a TD pass to Danny Woodhead capping off a 96 yard drive to end the half. It was 10-9, Pats, entering the half time show where I finally went to the bathroom.
To start the second half, the Pats scored another TD, this time a TD pass to Aaron Hernandez. The Giants would rebound a bit with two FGs before the last quarter came. It was here and maybe after a shot to Brady and his shoulder where things just weren't the same. Brady threw an INT near the end of the Third which just spelled doom. However, it was not until the final minute of the game, with the Giants marching down field, did the Pats lose the lead. Ahmad Bradshaw scored a TD with 57 second left which looked like a run he didn't want to complete seeing the amount of time left for Brady. However, the defense for the Giants stepped up. A sack on Brady forced him to use his one time out left and, despite an impressive 4th down conversion, Brady had to throw a Hail Mary and the G-Men just knocked it down as time expired. Giants win their 4th Lombardi Trophy, 21-17.
A championship for the Big Apple, once more, and the second Super Bowl Ring for Eli Manning. Let the discussion begin: Is Eli Manning better that his brother, Peyton Manning. There is no doubt Eli is one of the best QB's in the NFL considering what he has done this year on top of winning a Super Bowl. He has certainly put the Eli in "Elite." As for the Pats, times ticking, Tom. He'll be 35 next year and his time for tying the likes of his idol are almost up. They played pretty well in this game but some key drops by the receivers could've helped them get the win.
As for the Giants, they win another close Super Bowl game over the Pats and legacy for the likes of Tom Coughlin and Eli have to start being considered. Eli also won his 2nd Super Bowl MVP after going 30/40 for 296 yards and one TD pass in the game. The Giants also keep setting the trend of hot teams going far in the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. Only 9-7 and Super Bowl champions. Right now it seems better to be on fire at the end of the season than the best team overall.
P.S. Okay, let the 2012 season begin. Meaning we get to answer that second question stated earlier: Where is Peyton going to end up?
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