Eli Manning to Get Home Start Against Dolphins and That Spells Trouble for Tanking
By Michael Luciano
The only quarterback the New York Giants knew for the better part of 14 years will get one last hurrah at the Meadowlands.
With rookie QB Daniel Jones still nursing an ankle injury that kept him out of Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-year-old Eli Manning will once again start for the Giants when they take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.
Daniel Jones is not expected to play Sunday against the Dolphins, per source. Eli Manning will take his place and make at least one more home start. Jones returned to practice in a limited capacity this week but needs more time with the high ankle sprain. #Giants #NFL #Dolphins
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) December 13, 2019
Manning has completed 59.7% of his passes and thrown four touchdowns and two interceptions in three starts this season, all of which have been losses. He did take the Eagles to overtime on the road, however.
In the big picture, the G-Men wouldn't be wrong to keep on tanking for the chance to draft a guy like Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young, but those hopes could take a hit if a motivated Eli gets the start not just this weekend, but in Week 16 against the division rival Redskins.
About a dozen Eagles hung around on the field after Monday night's OT win over the Giants to shake hands Eli Manning—including Doug Pederson, Carson Wentz & Josh McCown #respect pic.twitter.com/81OG0Y6z6b
— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) December 10, 2019
You can bet Manning is going to get the curtain call of his life at MetLife Stadium this weekend, as he has a chance to end his legendary career with one last home win for old time's sake. That could be a nice bit of catharsis for Giants fans, but it's effect on the tank shouldn't be understated.