Fantasy Football 2015: Start or Sit Eli Manning

Week 3 of the fantasy football season is almost here and that means that things are starting to heat up in all fantasy football leagues.

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Coming into the 2015 season, the New York Giants’ offense had some high expectations with a lot of talented players. One of the players that were a popular pick to do well in fantasy football this season was quarterback, Eli Manning.

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Manning was coming into 2015 with some momentum from a good 2014 season that saw his mistakes minimized and his statistics saw a boost from that.

In Week 1, Manning was a very popular player to succeed against the Dallas Cowboys, but instead the Giants blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, and Manning did virtually nothing for fantasy owners. In the loss to the Cowboys, Manning totaled just 193 passing yards without a touchdown pass.

The loss to the Cowboys was one of the worst in the history of the Giants with their mistakes at the end of the game to give Tony Romo enough time to pick apart their defense on a game-winning drive.

In Week 2, Manning and the Giants had another very favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at home. The Giants once again made mistakes at the end of the game which led to a loss, but Manning produced a lot better for fantasy owners.

Against the Falcons, Manning totaled 292 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and one lost fumble.

Manning and the Giants have a big game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football in Week 3. Coming into the season, the Redskins were a team that you would want to target against in fantasy football, but after two weeks they have played well on the defensive side of the ball.

To start the season, the Redskins are the fourth best team in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. This is an absolutely shocking development after the Redskins were the worst team in the NFL last season in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks.

The two quarterbacks that have been shut down by the Redskins are no slouches, as Ryan Tannehill and Nick Foles both underperformed. One of the keys that have helped the Redskins’ defense was a formula that the Dallas Cowboys used last season. Washington is making it a priority to run the ball early and often, and that has resulted in their defense being off the field.

On Thursday Night Football, the Giants’ defense may have a hard time getting off the field against the Redskins’ running game, and that could limit opportunities for Manning and the offense.

I would have called myself crazy saying this a few weeks ago, but Manning doesn’t appear to be a good play against the Washington Redskins in Week 3. There is the possibility that Manning is going to be the best quarterback on many fantasy teams, but it’s hard to say that he will have a great game against the Redskins.

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