Articles

by Michael J Basile, @MdoubleJB

 

Monday Morning Manning – Season Finale

The 2018 NY Giant season has come to an end, Eli Manning made a strong case to be their starter in 2019.  This past Sunday Eli started slow but finished strong going 24-41 for 301 yards and 2 TDs.  He had the GMen eclipse 30 points 5 times this year under the direction of Pat Shurmur.  They had not reached 30 points scored once in the previous two seasons.  They were down 14-0 and 21-10, but Manning hung in there and made clutch throws to keep the Giants in the game.

 

THE GOOD:

Manning passed for 300 yards for the second straight week and was accurate with his deep balls to Cody Latimer and Shepard.  Latimer had 4 receptions for 72 yards.  Manning also displayed strong chemistry with Evan Engram.  The late-season resurgence was a very positive sign for Big Blue fans as they move into 2019.  Eli targeted Engram eight times and completed it 5 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.  You can tell he has a lot more trust in Engram today.  Eli and the NY Giants Offense played well enough to earn a victory. 

 

THE BAD:

The start of the game was rough.  After moving the ball down the field on the first drive Eli threw a bad interception in the red zone.  Then on the next drive he got hit and fumbled right into the arms of the Dallas defender.  This allowed the Cowboys to build a 14-0 lead.

 

THE UGLY:

Eli had the ball at midfield down a point with under a minute to go.  It was the 2nd week in a row where despite playing really well throughout the game he failed to get it done on the last drive.  He could not move the team into field goal range.  It was the perfect way for this Giants team to end the season proving that they cannot finish games.

 

THE GRADE:

Eli gets a B.  His performance was strong.  Without the first quarter and the last drive, he would’ve gotten an A.

 

With the 2018 season in the books, Eli had a strong second half of the season and showed enough to be the starter in 2019.  The needs in the draft are defense.   (Pass rushing OLBs, defensive ends, and secondary help) THEN the big priority they must address on offense is a right tackle and center.  The offense and Eli in year 2 under Pat Shurmur, with the weapons they have, will flourish with strong protection.