Firstly, I will start with the fact that I think the term elite is thrown around way too much. Like similar terms like icon, or legend, these are words that are very powerful words and should never be taken carelessly when describing someone or something.

But, I will also say, times change much more frequently in today’s sports than they ever have, and I dejectedly imagine they will only get more as time goes on. It truly is a “what have you done for me lately” time period. So it also in a weird sort of way lessens the term, because many facets come into effect for the term to be true or not true.

Eli made the fearless statement early in the 2011 NFL season, when he said “I consider myself in that class”, when talking about Tom Brady in an interview with Michael Kay. Many people were in an uproar over the statement coming from celebrated Peyton’s little dopey brother. How could he make such a statement? What has he done so great that he thinks he is an elite, let’s use the term “top ended” QB in the NFL, with such great quarterbacks like Brady, Rodgers, and Brees?

Eli oftentimes comes off as the sloopy quiet guy, in New York, who many remember his bad games before they remember his good games. I mean truthfully when the Giants won the Super Bowl over the grand undefeated Patriots in 2007, it was their maddening defense that only allowed Brady to put up 14 points in that game, Eli was 19-34 for 255 YDs and 2 TDs, including an outrageous catch by David Tyree and, oh ya, a late TD pass to Plaxico Burress in the 4th quarter.

He has had his shares and paid his dues along the way, no doubt. But at this stage of his career, at 31 years old, where would you put him in the quarterback ranks? He has had some splotchy seasons, but most QBs have a stinker here and there, but overall, he has enhanced much of his game over the last 4 years. With a 69-50 record as a regular season starter, 27579 YDs, and 185 TDs in his 7 year career, and now, after that statement, he puts together a great season, with career highs in yards, his 4th straight year throwing at a 60% or better completion rate, his highest yds per attempt at 8.4, his 3rd straight 4000 yard season and six 4th quarter game winning drives, pretty elite numbers if you ask me.

He shows pocket calmness and poise, and doesn’t crack under pressure. With a 6-3 post season record has a better winning percentage (67%) than Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, who are both looked at with higher regard than Eli.

After his dismantling of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, I don’t think their can be any more questions about how good he is. He went into an intimidating Lambeau field in frigid miserable conditions and didn’t just beat the Packers, but annihilated them, going 21-33, 330 YDs and 3 TDs. Eli has nerves of steel, and I actually think he can still get better in the future.

Eli is a truly justifiable quarterback in the NFL and I think he deserves to be considered one of the NFLs best, one of the top grade, one of the elite in the NFL today.

Written by Tony Karpinski of VegasTopDogs.