How justified is that reputation, though? Nearly all the other statistical evidence of quarterback excellence tilts in Peyton’s favor.

Over the course of their careers, their regular season stats aren’t even close. In 225 games dating back to 1998, Peyton’s teams (the Indianapolis Colts through 2010, and the Broncos since then) are 155-70 (a .689 win-loss percentage), while Eli, who has played every game since his 2004 rookie season for the Giants, has led his team to a record of 78-58 (.574).

Almost any statistic you choose could prove the same point. Pass completion percentage? Peyton’s is .652, Eli’s .587. Interception percentage? 1.8 percent for Peyton, 3.3 percent for Eli. Touchdown passes? Peyton, with 443, is second on the all-time list, behind only Brett Favre, and has led the league in scoring throws three times. Eli has 215 and has never led the league’s passers in TDs.

In the most important of all passing stats, yards per throw, Peyton has averaged 7.7 to Eli’s 7.1, and in overall QB rating it’s no contest—Big Bro, 96.0; Baby Bro, 82.9. And in their two previous head-to-head meetings, Peyton has completed 45 of 67 for 531 yards while Eli has connected on 33 of 58 for 408 yards; Peyton’s team won both games 26-21 in 2006 and 38-14 in 2010.

Importantly, though, there’s only so much a quarterback can do, and not all stats—arguably no stats—reflect just the quarterback’s performance. In baseball, you can say with some certainty that Miguel Cabrera or Mike Trout are superiors to other hitters by looking at their on-base and slugging averages, which are solely the products of their individual effort. But all QB numbers are impacted not just by the passer’s ability but his teammates’ performance in pass blocking, running, and even special teams and defense. The QB can do nothing to impact his team’s defense except control the ball on offense and limit the number of plays the opposing team can run. For instance, I’d argue that in the Broncos’ loss this past January to the Baltimore Ravens, Peyton did just about all a quarterback can do, putting up 35 points and passing for 290 yards and 3 TDs. One would have to give most of the credit for that passing offense to Peyton and pretty much let him off the hook for the fact that the Ravens, who went on the win the Super Bowl, won the game by scoring 38 points.

Many of the postseason failures of Peyton’s teams can be attributed to bad defense. Compare him to three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. Brady’s teams are 17-7 in postseason play. His pass completion percentage is .623 to Manning’s .63. In four more games, Brady has thrown for 270 more yards, 5949 to 5579. Brady has 42 TD passes against 22 interceptions to Peyton’s 32-2 and has a slightly lower passer rating—87.4 to Manning’s 88.4. In yards/throw, Peyton has a big edge over Brady, 7.46 to 6.71.