When one of his teammates criticized his leadership, Peyton let loose with a tirade that climaxed with him famously calling the offender an “idiot kicker who got liquored up and ran his mouth off.”

When one of his ex-teammates criticized his leadership, Eli shrugged off some comments about, at worst, it takes one to know one, and unfamously said “it’s one of those you have to deal with,” with the same passion as if he were reacting to the dry cleaners failing to get a stain out of his fourth-favorite shirt.

Peyton is responsible for making Indianapolis — which he once described to Indy native David Letterman as being only about “basketball and car racin’” when it came sports — one of the most intense, passionate and loyal NFL fan bases, a relationship has extended by spending his considerable money to invest in a popular downtown restaurant, and to develop a new children’s hospital.

Eli is responsible for making New York Giants fans question whether they should renew their season tickets, and hopes to someday, if things get better, spending his considerable money to invest in a popular hot dog cart, and to develop a hamster veterinary clinic.

If Peyton loses his playoff game this weekend — against San Diego — it would be a disappointment. But he would get a pass because he is a surefire Hall-of-Famer with a Super Bowl ring, and because his team has been decimated by injuries to big stars such as Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney.

If Eli loses his playoff game this weekend — against Dallas — he stinks.

But if Eli wins, and keeps winning all the way to the Super Bowl, he still won't be a legend like his trailblazing brother. He'll just get a break from all of us pinning him down and punching his chest. Because he'll screw up again.

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