Whether you love him or hate him, Eli Manning is one of the most hard to predict and unique quarterbacks in the NFL. However, some would say he's inconsistent and at age 37 his time as being the New York Giants quarterback is coming to an end. These are simply rumors, but going into today's game against the Philadelphia Eagles at 3-7 is not necessarily helping him dismiss these rumors. Unfortunately, it is possible that this could be Eli's last game playing the Eagles as a New York Giant which would be ironic because it was here that Eli took over for Kurt Warner in his debut way back in 2004. As a huge giants fan though, I want to point out some things about Eli that should give his critics something to think about.

Could 2018 be the year Eli retires?

In the beginning

Being the son of Archie Manning and the brother of Peyton Manning, both incredible quarterbacks, came with advantages and disadvantages. One of those advantages seem to have come into play during the 2004 NFL draft when Eli Manning in the first round was picked by the San Diego Chargers. However, Eli publicly stated if chosen by them he would refuse to play. Not something you see quarterbacks doing who are hoping to be drafted into the NFL. Ultimately this led to a trade between the Giants and Chargers, the Giants being the team Eli originally had hoped to play for. Now whether it was his skill alone or the fact that his father was once an NFL great and so was his older brother that led to him getting his way, we'll never know. The disadvantages though were having to live up to his brother and father and also just being known as Peyton's little brother until he could prove otherwise. A few years later though he would do just that.

Left to right- Eli Manning, Archie Manning, Peyton Manning

And then there was 2007

The giants came into the 2007-08 playoffs being the number 5 seed. However, the underdog Giants managed a huge upset against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then the Dallas Cowboys the following week which got them to the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers. The Giants ended up beating the Packers in overtime and bought themselves a ticket into Superbowl XLII. Though they looked great, no one imagined they had any chance against Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots. New England was favored heavily and was believed to be heading for the perfect season. Eli and the Giants had other plans. One play in particular which has gone down in NFL history was when Manning made a completion to David Tyree. New England was leading 14-10 and it was Giants ball on the third down. Eli first avoided a few near tackles and managed to scramble his way out of being sacked to complete a pass with Tyree who incredibly caught the football on his helmet. I swear I thought I was going to faint when I saw that. This gave them the first down and a few plays later a pass to Plaxico Burress resulted in a touchdown that led the Giants to becoming Superbowl Champions. Like them or not, the game was absolutely incredible. The Giants won defeating the undefeated Patriots.

Manning scrambling out of near tackles to complete pass in Superbowl XLII.

So nice they did it twice

The Giants were back in the Superbowl as underdogs again against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for Superbowl XLVI. As a giants fan, it was both nerve wracking and a dream come true to have them facing off against the Patriots twice in five years though I don't know if anyone but fans of the Giants believed they had a chance of defeating them for a second time. The end of the game was approaching and the Giants were trying to run out the clock to ensure the Patriots had no time to get the ball back and score. However that was not the case. The Giants had accidentally scored when Ahmad Bradshaw in an effort to stop before the goal line actually fell over it. This meant the Patriots would get the ball back with only seconds, but still a chance to score, but that didn't happen. Tom Brady threw a "hail mary" which was unsuccessful. The Giants won for a second time defeating New England and the rest is history.

Manning after Superbowl XLVI win

What happens now?

I know what many are thinking. So what? He was lucky with those Superbowl wins. He's not that great. I beg to differ and not just because I am a Giants fan. Eli came out of Ole Miss as Archie's son and Peyton's little brother. He worked his way up to being the great quarterback that he has become and didn't take any shortcuts. Those Superbowl wins alone in my opinion earn him enough credit to be put in Canton in the Hall of Fame. (I know there's time as in five years or more until he can be qualified, but it's worth thinking about.) If he does retire this year, he'll be leaving the NFL as one of the leagues leading passers coming in sixth overall, more than Joe Montana. He is ranked seventh overall in touchdown passes. He is a two time Superbowl MVP and champion against an undefeated team as well as many other Giants records. Not to mention starting in 210 straight games. So say what you want about him, but in my opinion whether he stays for another year or not, he's made me extremely proud to be a fan of the New York Giants.

Thanks for reading! See you next time!