New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hasn’t played in an NFL game since Week 2, and many wrote him off as finished. But life is funny sometimes. With rookie quarterback Daniel Jones laid up with a high ankle sprain and unlikely to play Monday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Giants are turning back to Eli to break their eight-game losing streak.
The narrative of this Giants’ season can change here if Manning can provide some stability and consistency to this wildly undisciplined team. The soon-to-be 39-year-old future Hall of Famer is creating a new dynamic, something the 16-year veteran hasn’t been able to do in years.
It’s so strange that Manning might be a breath of fresh air whereas just three months ago, he was passe — written off and washed up. Manning has been a sidebar the past 11 weeks, so much to the degree that many had forgotten about him. Now, he’s being called upon to lead Big Blue again as they strap on the pads for their final nationally televised game of the season.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson believes Manning — who has a 10-20 lifetime record versus Philadelphia with nine of those 20 losses coming in the last 10 meetings — will add something to the Giants this time around.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson says he thinks return of Eli Manning "will help jazz up the football team.''
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) December 5, 2019
Not sure what Eli can bring to the table that Jones does not. Athletically, nothing, but experience-wise, everything. Jones has never faced the Eagles and Jim Schwartz’ defense which probably would have confounded him.
The Giants will go back to the short-passing game behind Eli, the quick drops and releases will keep the Eagles’ pass rush from gaining much traction. The Giants will look to get Saquon Barkley on track as well.
Pederson took over the Eagles in 2016 and has faced the Giants six times. He lost his first game vs Big Blue, 28-23, a game in which Eli threw four touchdowns. The Eagles have bested the Giants since, winning five straight.
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