Eli Manning Stays Confident In Abilities As Giants Continue To Struggle

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Oct 12, 2018

The New York Giants are off to a horrendous 1-5 start, but struggling quarterback Eli Manning isn't worried about his own abilities.

Oct 11, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks on from the sidelines late during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants had any remaining playoff hopes fade away on Thursday, following an embarrassing 34-13 home loss to the defending Super Bowl champion and arch rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Nothing went right for the Giants in Week 6, but much of the loss can be pinpointed on quarterback Eli Manning, who had another frustrating performance. He completed just 24 of 43 pass attempts for 281 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

The Giants now sit at 1-5, as Manning simply hasn't been able to make the most of a star-studded supporting cast that includes world class wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie running back Saquon Barkley. But the 37-year-old isn't ready to wave the white flag on his career.

"Obviously not where we want to be. I'm not happy about it," Manning said after the game, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I am frustrated like everyone. Obviously, all you can do is worry about the next game. That is the way football works...My confidence in myself is good. I know I can play. I just have to figure out how to be more consistent and be better on offense."

Head coach Pat Shurmur said after the game that he's not worried about Manning, a clear indicator that the two-time Super Bowl champion remains the starter going forward. But it's a now-or-never situation for Manning.

A bad finish could force the Giants to cut him loose after the season, and owning a high draft pick will help them find the next franchise quarterback. So yes, the pressure is absolutely on Eli to find his old form and get this offense going again.

The good news is that the Giants' schedule gets easier down the stretch. They visit the 1-4 Atlanta Falcons next Monday, get a home contest with the 2-2 Washington Redskins and then head into the bye week. After that, they visit the lowly San Francisco 49ers then host the equally struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Keep in mind the 2007 Giants started out 0-2, and 6-6 in 2011. They won the Super Bowl both years. If this team can somehow reach nine or 10 wins, the G-Men just might get into the playoffs (at least) one more time before Eli's career ends.

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