Giants Manning says brother Peyton gave him spark

PHOENIX, Arizona (Reuters) - Peyton Manning's Super Bowl MVP honors last year provided the inspiration for younger brother Eli to lead his team to the title game, the New York Giants quarterback said on Thursday.

Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to victory over the Chicago Bears, while Eli aims for his own Super Bowl ring on Sunday against the unbeaten New England Patriots.

"As happy as I was for him last year, it definitely made me want it even more, seeing someone go through it," Manning told reporters on Thursday.

"Seeing the grin on his face, his smile after the game, and the relief and enjoyment he had also put something in my heart that said this is where you want to be and want to get.

"It definitely sparked something with me. I didn't know when it would happen, but I knew I wanted to get to this point and have a shot to win a championship."

The New York quarterback had his ups and downs during the regular season, tossing 20 interceptions along the way, but has been mistake-free in the playoffs as he led the Giants to three successive road wins to reach Super Bowl XLII.

Manning, who came under fire for a lack of emotion on the field, said his laid back personality helped him find success.

"I think it's helped me deal with everything that's been thrown at me," said Manning, who came into the league with high expectations after being the top selection in the 2004 NFL Draft and is under intense media scrutiny playing for New York.

"I'm a guy who after a good game or bad game doesn't get caught up in what people are saying. I don't read the papers or watch the TV networks to see how people are rating me.

"I rate myself based on what I see from film, what coaches tell me and I learn from that."

Manning said his calm demeanor may be misleading.

"It doesn't take away from my competitiveness. I still love to win and I still hate to lose," he said.

"I go out there and try to have a calming effect on the players whether things are going great or poorly. I'm not going to get rattled.

"I'm not a screamer, I'm not a yeller. I go out there and just try to lead by example."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)