Manning is key to Giants’ hopes

One of the most popular story lines of this year’s Super Bowl has been the turnaround of much-maligned New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Dogged as Peyton Manning’s underachieving little brother since he became a starter for New York in 2004, Eli’s strong late-season play is a major reason why the Giants will play New England for the NFL title today.

During Manning’s last four games, including three road playoff victories, he has completed 75 of 117 passes for eight touchdowns with only one interception.

Impressive numbers for sure, but this season’s book on Manning is far from closed. Not with the Super Bowl yet to be played.

In the history of the NFL’s big game, there have been plenty of quarterbacks -- all between 25 and 29 years old -- who entered the Super Bowl on a roll and lost -- and never returned.

From Vince Ferragamo and Boomer Esiason to Stan Humphries and Kerry Collins, losing in the Super Bowl has a way of putting a damper on a successful season and tainting a quarterback’s career.

That could happen to Manning, 27, who has excelled in New York’s ball-control offense during the playoffs.

Manning had nine passes intercepted in his first seven games and 20 this season, but with New York able to establish a running attack in each game of the playoffs he has been throwing sharp, accurate passes to a variety of targets.

However, the receiver Manning looks to most is Plaxico Burress, who has been nagged by injuries this week.

In the NFC championship game, Burress was a difference-maker for Manning, dominating Green Bay cornerbacks at will.

Burress, who led New York in receptions, yards and touchdowns during the regular season, finished with 11 catches for 154 yards against the Packers, who tried to defend him with single coverage.

Burress probably will get a heavy dose of New England cornerback Asante Samuel, who may be the NFL’s most complete defensive back.

Samuel does not try to out-tough receivers at the line of scrimmage as Green Bay’s Al Harris tried against Burress. Nor does he always rely on zone coverage schemes to make plays. Samuel does everything well, and that could be a problem for New York’s passing attack.

Although Burress caught four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns when New York faced the Patriots during the regular season, he was not much of a factor when the Giants needed him in the fourth quarter.

New England got it done by keeping a cornerback in front of him and a safety to help deep.

New York should expect a similar tactic today, meaning Manning will have more opportunities to get the ball to his other receivers, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss.

Don’t be surprised to see the Giants open the game distributing the ball among multiple receivers in a wide-open attack designed to spread out New England’s defense.

That would give Manning a good chance to get into rhythm early and also keep the Patriots from concentrating on New York’s running attack.

Summary: Manning has raised his game in the playoffs, but he still needs to play well against the Patriots to quiet his skeptics.

The best way for that to happen is for New York to get an early lead and not force Manning to have to win the game with his arm.

But here’s the catch for the Giants: If they rely on Manning too much too early, any mistake he makes could cost them the game. But a hot start by Manning could give New York an advantage that would seriously jeopardize New England’s quest for a perfect season.

lonnie.white@latimes.com