Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls, while big brother Peyton, the acknowledged quarterback superstar of the pair, is stuck on one.
That may turn out to be Eli’s only edge. His career may not even outlast that of Peyton, 38, whose never-ending offensive production has the Denver Broncos tabbed again as the team to beat in the American Conference.
While Eli, 33, is in no danger of losing his starting job, yet, with the New York Giants, his poor start to the new season, in a new offensive scheme, has critics wondering again about his ability to get the team back into the postseason.
The Giants opened the year with a 35-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, with Eli passing for a mere 163 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Since the Giants’ Super Bowl win621§2321 to cap the 2011 season, they are 16-17 and have not reached the post-season the past two years.
A new, hurry-up offence, which relies on Eli making quick reads and accurate passes on timing routes, sputtered in the pre-season, as well as in Detroit.
Offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo has had to come to Eli’s defence.
“He’s the perfect fit for this offence,” said McAdoo last week. “He’s very smart. He’s not 100 per cent there, but he’s making progress.”
Said Manning, who has never oozed the self-assuredness of his older sibling, “No doubts. This offence can score points. We can make plays and I can be a good leader.”
In his 11 seasons, he has had his terrific moments. But he led the league in interceptions (27) last year and his overall career number (an 81.1 quarterback rating) put him solidly among the mediocre.
Meanwhile, Peyton set an NFL record in 2013 with 55 touchdown passes and led the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
In their opener last week, Denver beat Peyton’s old team, the Indianapolis Colts, 31-24, on the strength of Manning’s three touchdown passes, also giving Peyton victories over all 32 NFL teams.
Only one quarterback, Brett Favre, had previously achieved that milestone.
Favre’s record of 508 career touchdown passes is also in Peyton’s sights. Manning has 494.
Typically, Peyton was unimpressed with the victory.
“Sometimes people [take wins for granted],” Peyton said. “I’ve learnt not to and try to learn from the mistakes.”
If Eli has had fewer wins to learn from recently, he at least has had plenty of mistakes.
Certainly no one saw this coming after the Giants’ last Super Bowl win – a season Peyton missed because of a severe neck injury.
We are left to dwell on who will last longest and throw the final Manning touchdown pass in the NFL.
sports@thenational.ae
