"Philip Rivers is to Eli Manning as Dan Fouts is to Phil Simms: Better numbers, except where it counts the most.

Rivers is to Tom Brady as Dan Marino is to Joe Montana: More advance hype, much less history.

Rivers is to Alex Smith as Drew Bledsoe is to Steve Young: Steadier progress, earlier peak.

Rivers is to Joe Flacco as Warren Moon is to Jim McMahon: All defenses are not created equal. "