Thanks, Eli!

Thank you Eli Manning.

Thank you, from the bottom of every true football fan's heart. From the Black Hole to the Hogettes; Dirty Birds to Bless You Boys! Thank you.

By overcoming your previous playoff failures (0-and-2 in two appearances) to piece together back-to-back playoff victories, you have given the greatest gift possible to for-love-of-the-game football fans.

You even had to overcome history to gift wrap this gem. Since the NFL switched to its current playoff format in 1990, top seeds from the NFC were a perfect 17-0 in the Divisional Round. Until now. Because of you, Eli.

By leading your New York Giants to an improbable 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Texas Stadium Sunday, you have assured all NFL fans the opportunity to see the most entertaining player in the league's history lead the league's most historic franchise one more time in the league's greatest Cathedral with a trip to the league's biggest game on the line. Set your tape. Get your TiVo ready. Brett Favre gets to play another game in the already snow-covered, Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field with a trip to Super Bowl XLII on the line. And we have Eli Manning to thank.

True the newly-tanned Tony Romo (Thanks Jessica!) was on the field with the Dallas offense for 13 more minutes than was Manning. Big-D even out gained the G-Men by more than 100 yards! And maybe we should toss a few kudos the Giants defense which had Romo staring more at the hole in the roof of Texas Stadium than at holes in the Giant's "D", but this was Eli's day. When big brother Peyton couldn't carry the Manning family flag in a home game, Eli was able to go on the road and wave it proudly.

The roller coaster ride that has been Manning's four seasons in New York is beginning to peak. Eli was strikingly calm and efficient Sunday. On the game's first drive, Manning found Amani Toomer for a 52-yard scoring strike to give the Giants an early edge. Then, after Dallas clawed to a 14-7 lead, Manning orchestrated a brilliant two-minute drive, finding Toomer again for a 4-yard TD, knotting the game with seven seconds to play in the first half. Unfortunately for Eli, every thrill-seeker knows when a roller coaster peaks, a hard, fast descent is soon to follow.

That fall could come next week. So when you laugh at seeing a gray-bearded, 38-year-old quarterback pelting teammates with snowballs during timeouts, thank Eli. When you see No. 4 hoist a wide receiver on his back and gleefully carry him off the field after a touchdown, thank Eli. When you see one of the greatest men to ever play the game take the field at Lambeau one last time, savor it, and thank Eli.

Favre says he may play next season, but we all know his ride will soon come to an end. And we are all anticipating the backside of Eli's roller coaster. After all, a fall follows every peak.

Or, has Eli's ascent just begun?

Hmmm. Maybe you shouldn't mail those thank you cards just yet.