The New York Giants have been an absolute wreck in 2017. Despite high expectations before the season began, the Giants sit in last place in the NFC East at 2-9. Injuries, poor play, and controversial decisions from head coach Ben McAdoo have all been factors in this season going completely down the tubes. They currently have a -95 point differential and are considered by many as the worst team in football outside of the Cleveland Browns.
It was just announced that Eli Manning will be on the bench this Sunday in Oakland with Geno Smith getting the start.
Smith (27) has made just one start since 2014 and that was last year with the Jets. Manning (36) has been the regular starter since 2005 and there is now speculation that his days in New York are numbered. Manning has led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories over the past decade and had not missed a start to this point.
Geno Smith to start at quarterback on Sunday. READ: https://t.co/SKRIc6bCvP pic.twitter.com/LSSHIAccD4
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 28, 2017
Eli hits the bench
It is an overall bad situation for the Giants' offense. They do not have a fantastic run game and stud receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has missed most of the season due to injury. The benching of Manning is a surprise for many, even though the offense has not been good.
Manning himself this year has 2,411 yards with 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions. The benching of Manning for Smith apparently took place when Eli declined to start Sunday when given the choice, according to reporter Albert Breer. Manning had not missed a start since becoming a starter in 2004, that is a 210 game streak that will be broken.
At 2-9, the Giants are basically playing for a top draft pick at this point. This raises more questions regarding Manning's future with the team and that it may be time to move on.
WOW ... Giants' release says that Eli Manning was given option to start to keep his 210-start streak alive, before giving away quickly to young guys. Eli declined.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 28, 2017
Geno Smith
It has been a rough go for Smith so far in the NFL.
This is his first year with the Giants after playing his first four NFL years in the same stadium, but in green and white Jets colors. Smith got little action in Week nine's blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He threw two incomplete passes with no yards gained at all. The last time he was a regular starter was in 2013 when he made 13 starts and threw 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for 2,525 yards. He has a career 28 touchdown to 36 interception ratio.
Will this do anything for the Giants? Likely not. Throwing a guy making just his second start in three years after struggling as a young player in is not meant to turn things around for the team. They are well eliminated from the playoffs and have nothing left to salvage. It still makes for an interesting story in the Big Apple.
