New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning ranks well against some of the NFL modern era's best.

Okay, admittedly the title of this article is a borderline hyperbole.

But, the continuing talk of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s football prowess, or lack thereof, is just as exaggerated.

He’s arguably one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in modern football history. He’s been compared dismissively as just another Trent Dilfer and even his body language is routinely deciphered.

It’s only the poor guy’s fifth year in the league.

Last Sunday’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was Manning’s 64th game—the equivalent of four complete seasons.

Comparing Eli Manning to Quarterback Greats

Football is undoubtedly the most team-oriented sport in the world. Individual head-to-head comparisons are often useless because of all the many variables of an offensive unit—for example, the overall quality of the other skill positions and offensive line.

That also doesn’t take into consideration the overall strength of a team’s defensive and special teams units, which can be the difference between wins and losses.

But direct comparisons are usually the measuring stick that many fans prefer, whether it’s fair or not.

The Short List

Everyone agrees on who are the great quarterbacks in the modern history of the NFL: Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, etc. Let’s edit the list to the best quarterbacks of the last decade. Now, let’s narrow focus to only include quarterbacks with multiple title wins or appearances.

That leaves John Elway, Brett Favre, and Tom Brady.

For good measure, let’s include big brother Peyton Manning, since comparisons are always being made between the two.

The following stats are after each quarterback’s first 64 games started in the NFL. Let the stats do the talking.

Eli versus Brady, Elway, Favre, and Peyton

Eli Manning

• 38 wins, 26 losses
• 1,154 completions, 2,077 attempts, 13,245 yards
• 91 touchdowns, 70 interceptions
• 75.5 passer rating
• Wins title in fourth complete season

Tom Brady

• 49 wins, 15 losses
• 1,284 completions, 2,087 attempts, 14,449 yards
• 100 touchdowns, 53 interceptions
• 87.6 passer rating
• Wins title in first complete season

John Elway

• 42 wins, 21 losses, 1 tie
• 1,108 completions, 2,041 attempts, 13,448 yards
• 79 touchdowns, 75 interceptions
• 72.8 passer rating
• Wins title in 15th complete season

Brett Favre

• 40 wins, 24 losses
• 1,371 completions, 2,183 attempts, 15,202 yards
• 116 touchdowns, 64 interceptions
• 88.9 passer rating
• Wins title in fifth complete season

Peyton Manning

• 32 wins, 32 losses
• 1,357 completions, 2,226 attempts, 16,418 yards
• 111 touchdowns, 81 interceptions
• 85.1 passer rating
• Wins title in ninth complete season

Conclusion

Again, individual head-to-head comparisons are an exercise in futility. But, overall, the younger Manning measures up okay in many areas to the greats so far in his career.

What’s important to consider is that Manning is still learning the quarterback position, meaning he’s only getting better.

Whatever the stats may indicate, the intangibles are there.

He has excellent football instincts and a knack for leading fourth-quarter comebacks. He consistently stays cool after mistakes. Leading the Giants on a methodical 80-yard touchdown drive after throwing an interception on the third play of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles is the most recent example.

Only time will tell how great Eli Manning will be. He won’t have to answer to biased detractors. He’ll only have to answer to history’s greats, and so far, he’s doing quite okay for himself and more importantly, the New York Giants.