21 of 30 for 330 yards and 3 touchdown  are the statistics of an elite QB. Those are the numbers that Eli Manning posted on Sunday evening against the Green Bay Packers at historic Lambeau Field. Statistically, the frozen tundra in Green Bay provides the hardest challenge for any away teams. Away teams do not win often in Wisconsin especially this time of year, and actually have the lowest percentage of wins to the visiting football team. Eli and the Giants decided to go against the odds though and did just that, however. In the process Eli showed some maturation and proved he can not only hang with the best but can beat the best.

Eli Manning was asked earlier this season if he felt he was an elite quarterback in the NFL and asked if he felt he was on the same level as Aaron Rodger, Tom Brady, or his older brother Peyton. Eli did not hesitate to answer, and without blinking said he felt he was in that category. The statement was analyzed and debated and many felt that Eli was wrong in his analysis of himself. He was applauded for his confidence and humbleness towards the question, but ultimately dismissed as actually being elite as he said. However, this season Eli's older brother did not play a single snap for the Colts and still sits with only one Super Bowl ring to his name. Eli has beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, as well, and kept another ring from Brady in the year that the Patriots could not lose. That is until they faced Eli at least.  Lastly, when Eli faced off against Rodgers yesterday Eli came out with the win and did so convincingly with a 37-20 final.  Rodgers was just 26 of 46 in the game with 264 yards and 2 TDs. 

With that being said, Eli is Elite in this league and should be considered a top tier quarterback. He had a rough 2010 campaign in which many balls were completed to the wrong team, but has made one heck of a comeback this season. He has avoided mistakes and his team is now set to try and make another run at the Super Bowl. Eli, perhaps, was helped by the fact that his brother was injured. He did not have to live in his shadow and was able to grow up in many ways. His team is playing as good as anyone else in the league right now as they will set off to travel to San Francisco to face a tough defense that gets after the quarterback. Eli now has a chance to grow up even more and get what even his own brother has yet to obtain...a second Championship ring and banner.