Fourth quarter comebacks became a common occurrence for Eli Manning and the New York Giants this season. When Super Bowl XLVI came down to the Giants possessing the ball for a final time with a chance to win, the team felt right at home. Coach Tom Coughlin said, “We’ve won so many games like this, at the end, in the fourth quarter. We talk about finishing all the time and winning the fourth quarter, being the stronger team. It happened again tonight.” (page 36).
Even with a family drama playing out publicly, as the injured Peyton’s football future a source of endless discussion for the media masses in Indy, the unflappable Eli remained focused and sharp during his preparation for one of the biggest games of his career.
Said Archie Manning, “I think Peyton’s a little embarrassed that he’s been in the news so much, but Eli probably likes it. He just doesn’t worry about much. If Eli orders a steak and they bring him flounder, he’ll just eat it. What would Peyton do? You ought not bring Peyton the flounder.”
As they so often do, Eli and Peyton talked strategy on the phone the night before the game. Said Peyton, “Four years ago before Super Bowl XLII, we had more of a specific Patriots talk, because I was so familiar with them. This year Eli, having played them seven weeks ago, he knew them as good as anybody.”
Manning appears on the cover of the Feb. 13, 2012 issue of Sports Illustrated. This is the second time that Manning has appeared on the cover.
