It is certainly safe to say Manning has far exceeded anyone's expectations. His 2012 stats are nearly career marks in every major qb category:
Stat. / 2012 Career rank. / 2012 #/best # yr
Yards. / 2. / 4659. / 4700 (2010)
Completions. / 2. / 400 / 450 (2010)
Attempts. / 3. 583 / 679 (2010)
Comp %. / 2. / 68.6 / 68.8 (2008)
Yards/pass. / 3. / 7.99 / 9.17 (2004)
TD. / 2. / 37 / 49. (2004)
Int. / 2 / 11 / 10 ( 03, 04, 05)
Qbr. / 1 (0nly goes back to 08). / 84.1
Wins. / 2 ( 13 wins 3x). / 13 / 14 ( 05, 09)
SB. /
?? / ? / 2006
What great year and joy this continues to be. I guess the unbelievable thing is, as great as Manning has been, and in most years we couldn't wait to see him get back on the field, the defense is at least as exciting when they hit the field. How far have we come in 3 yrs?!?!?!?