FOURTH-QUARTER GRIT
Of all the developments in Eli’s eventful second NFL season, his magic acts in the fourth quarter were the most impressive. For five straight games — from late October to late November — Eli directed either a game-tying or game-winning fourth-quarter drive. That’s a remarkable achievement for a veteran, never mind a still-learning young quarterback. “He's very steady and very much improved on a week-to-week basis,” said Coughlin, often spare with compliments. “You see his ability to overcome errors and things that might make others be totally down.” In an overtime loss to Dallas, Eli directed two late drives, one resulting in a fumble at the goal line and another in a game-tying touchdown. In an OT loss to Seattle, he engineered a late scoring drive, executed a perfectly placed game-tying two-point conversion pass and then moved the Giants into position for a last-second field goal that was missed. Peyton has comeback ability, too, but last season at least, his Colts won so many games with ease he didn't need to demonstrate his flair for the dramatic like his kid brother. Edge: Eli.

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