It's no fun playing second fiddle.
People who remember the musical duo Hall and Oates generally know that Hall's first name is Daryl. But what was the name of the guy with a mustache?
En route to an MVP award, Jerry Rice made some highlight reel catches for the San Francisco 49ers in a narrow 20–16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. But it was wide receiver John Taylor who caught the winning TD.
Bet you didn't remember that.
And so it is with the New York Giants' Eli Manning.
Eli is twice "cursed" as he is not only the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning but also the son of two-time Pro Bowl QB Archie Manning.
The NFL MVP award in 2003 and 2004, a Super Bowl, and a Pete Rozelle trophy as MVP of Super Bowl XLI are only some of the accolades that have come Peyton's way.
But more often than not, the present is what people focus on in professional sports and as it stands, Eli is the only Manning left standing in these NFL playoffs.
This past Sunday saw two Super Bowl favorites drop out of the playoffs with Peyton and the Colts losing to the San Diego Chargers 28–24 and Jessica Simpson's main squeeze Tony Romo and the Cowboys upset by Eli and the Giants 21–17.
The Giants will once again be underdogs going into the NFC conference final against Green Bay as oddsmakers at the Las Vegas Hilton have installed the Packers as a seven-point favorite in early betting.
Appropriately enough, the "G-men" have played the role of giant killers. They've been listed as underdogs in both of their playoff games and nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets of the regular season in their home finale against the New England Patriots. But they blew a 12-point lead and eventually lost 38–35, giving the Pats the perfect regular season.
But the near upset of the league's best team seemed to re-invigorate the Giants going into the post season despite being seeded fourth in the NFC.
Perhaps it's a good thing that New York's NFC team didn't gain home field advantage since they've finished the regular season with a 7–1 road record. And they've now added two more away wins during the playoffs.
Eli Manning has also started becoming a more efficient passer as opposed to a gunslinger who tries to pass the lights out. So far in the playoffs, he hasn't turned the ball over.
Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer put it best after the team's wildcard-round win over Tampa Bay.
"He [Eli Manning] took what was out there and didn't force anything. He doesn't get real excited. There is more than one way to lead a team...and he showed that today."
The youngest Manning has thrown for under 200 yards in both playoff victories, going 20/27 for 185 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs against Tampa Bay, and 12/18 for 163 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs against Dallas.
If being underdogs once again isn't enough, Manning and the Giants will have to face other challenges going into Wisconsin.
They will be heading into hostile territory at Lambeau Field with snow showers forecast and a low of eight degrees looming. But adversity is nothing new to New York.
While Peyton was the toast of the NFL last season, perhaps his little brother will get his share of the spotlight before this season's playoffs are through.
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