Eli grows up even more

FOX cameras caught Peyton Manning clapping in triumph after his little brother hit Giants tight end Kevin Boss over the middle for what became a 45-yard gain. Five plays later, Eli Manning completed an 80-yard drive with a dart-a-keyhole pass to David Tyree for a 5-yard touchdown pass that gave the Giants a 10-7 lead.

I’ve been saying it for a month. We are seeing the newest quarterback star in the NFL. Eli Manning has grown up. He’s been solid, solid, solid in these playoffs, and now he’s got a chance to win the Super Bowl. Eli is outplaying Tom Brady, who has some decent numbers tonight but most of them on swing passes that leave the dirty work up to the pass catchers.

Win or lose tonight, the Giants are going to be a load for years to come. They can rush the passer, and they’ve got themselves a quarterback, and that’s where you start when you build a football team.