Eli Manning lead the Giants to a 36-20 victory over the Dolphins Sunday in what could be his last home game as a starter. Manning was replaced by Giant’s first round pick Daniel Jones in week three after the team started out 0-2, then came back last week because Jones was nursing an injured ankle.
Manning finished with two touchdowns and three interceptions with 283 passing yards before exiting the game. Head Coach Pat Shurmur took Manning out with 1:50 remaining so he could get a proper sendoff. The Giant’s faithful chanted “Eli, Eli!” repeatedly as Manning walked towards the sidelines getting emotional as the moment washed over him.
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“Obviously, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know what lies next week, let alone down the road. Obviously, the support and the fans, their ovation, chanting my name from the first snap to the end, I appreciate that. I appreciate them always and all my teammates coming up to me. It’s a special day, a special win and one I’ll remember,” Manning told ESPN.
Manning’s family was present at the game, including his parents, his wife and their four children. His three daughters met him in the tunnel as he came off the field, and he held his 10-month old son as his wife watched nearby.
Right from the jump Giants fans were chanting his name as he came onto the field for the Giants first drive. He was able to get a proper sendoff from them and in return he gave the fans a victory, bringing his regular season record back up to .500 at 117-117.
Manning gave a pre-game speech, which usually doesn’t occur, and his teammates made sure they wouldn’t disappoint. Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepardtold ESPN they looked at each other during the Giant’s first drive while Shepard said, “Let’s send him out on the right note. Do everything in our power.”
Barkley responded with 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns. His first game with 100 yards or more since week two and his first game with two or more touchdowns.
“If that is his last game and that’s the way we send Eli off, then that’s the way we envisioned doing [it]. I know I wanted to go out there and play my tail off, and I know those guys wanted to do the same, too, for No. 10. He’s meant so much to this city and to this franchise for such a long time. He’s a special person and a special player. If that is the way he gets sent off, I’m glad we were able to do it in a win and do it in that fashion,” Barkley said.
Shurmur was also happy to see Manning get a proper sendoff. “It’s good to be able to have Eli out there playing with us and help lead us to a victory. He’s certainly done many, many good things here for many, many years. For him to enjoy leading us to a victory should feel real special for him because of who he is.”
The Giant’s last game of the season will be at home, but the Giant’s haven’t announced who the starter will be for the last two games yet.
“I tried not to get too emotional just because we still have a couple football games left,” Manning said. “I know I’ll still be back in the stadium. I don’t know if I’ll play that day, but I know I’ll get to run out one more time at least. But still excited. Excited for the win and an honor if it is the last one playing here where I’m starting and getting a win. Try to enjoy it and take it in for a moment.”
