BY SAM KOROTKIN

 

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

 

You're watching multisource sports news analysis from Newsy.

 

There may be no ‘I’ in team, but there certainly is ‘Eli’ in elite.

 

Cheesy-- yes-- but that’s the conversation in the sports world after New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning led his team on 80 and 85 yard drives in the final minutes-- handing Patriots quarterback Tom Brady his first home loss in a record 31 games.

 

But was it enough to give Eli Manning elite status? NFL Network’s Michael Irvin says-- oh yeah.

 

“Eli is a great one, this guy completed passes, this game is a huge game?  He did it in the Super Bowl when he needed to get it done. A lot has been said about Eli, but this guy right here is one of the better quarterbacks, he is an elite quarterback in this league.”

 

Eli’s latest win is eerily similar to his victory over the Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King says combine the two, and you have Mr. Clutch.

 

“...I believe Eli is a better clutch player than Peyton. No knock on Peyton. But look at the moments Eli's had. His 2007 postseason is one of the best any quarterback has ever played…then upsetting the 18-0 Patriots in the Super Bowl. And Sunday, with 80- and 85-yard drives in the final seven minutes to beat Bill Belichick and Brady.”

 

This season, Eli has racked up the highest 4th quarter QB rating in the NFL. ESPN’s Eric Allen gives credit where credit is due, but says it’s not all Eli.

 

“You have to take your hat off to Eli Manning, under pressure making it happen time and time again against this Patriots football team, but we have to start to lay the blame at the feet of head coach Bill Belichick. His defense continues to let his football team down.”

 

The Patriots currently sport the worst pass defense in the NFL, and Yahoo Sports’ Jason Cole says Eli is good- not elite, and doesn’t hold a candle to Patriots QB Tom Brady.

 

“…the heroic comeback on Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium isn’t enough to close the gap. Not even close, really. There are too many Super Bowls and MVP awards in the space between the two.”

 

In his first seven seasons so far, Manning has only managed to make one Pro Bowl, but CBS Sports’ Mike Freeman says Eli’s elite status is not even up for discussion any more.

 

“…it was Manning who put the entire team on his shoulders. He won this game and any argument about whether or not Manning is elite after the destruction he leveled -- twice -- against one of the great franchises in the history of sports should end. Now.”