How Eli Manning’s consecutive starts streak affects the Giants QB decision
By Sean Dyer
Eli Manning is set to pass his brother Peyton for second all-time for most consecutive regular-season starts by a quarterback in NFL history. Should the New York Giants care?
This past Sunday, when Eli Manning took the field to start against the San Francisco 49ers, he tied his older brother Peyton for the second-most consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history with 208.
As the New York Giants’ iron man quarterback moves up the ranks of most durable signal callers, however, Big Blue continues to lose games. A disappointing 1-8 start has fans calling for Manning’s job and wanting to get a look at rookie Davis Webb.
Should the New York Giants take Manning’s consecutive starts streak into account when deciding if they should give Webb a shot?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Absolutely not.
First of all, Eli Manning should not be benched. He is not the problem. He’s actually having one of his better seasons in recent memory. Manning has been one of the most effective quarterbacks in the red zone while operating with a makeshift offensive line and very few weapons.
As far as I’m concerned, if Ben McAdoo gets to keep his job for the rest of the season, Eli Manning should keep his. However, with the New York media, when you start 1-8, there will be calls for changes.
If the Giants are going to consider a change at quarterback, Manning’s iron man streak shouldn’t even cross their mind.
A team can’t operate thinking about individuals’ stats or milestones. Eli’s consecutive starts streak is extremely impressive but he’s also lost three consecutive starts and lost five straight before the victory against Denver so …
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Even if the Giants thought about Manning’s streak, it will have gotten about as good as it’s going to get this week when he starts against Kansas City. Manning’s Week 11 start will be his 209th consecutive. This will put him all alone in second place when it comes to quarterbacks.
Who’s in first place? That would be Brett Favre who started 297 straight games. Eli Manning would have to start every game for the rest of this year, makes every start for five seasons after this one, and then make two more starts just to tie Favre. Not happening.
Manning will take second place on the NFL’s all-time list for consecutive starts by a quarterback this week and that is where he’ll finish his career. Favre’s mark is out of reach.
The New York Giants won’t prevent Eli Manning from passing Brett Favre. Father Time will take care of that. So Big Blue should pay no attention to the streak when considering what to do at the quarterback position.
Next: New York Giants: Can anything be done at this point?
I don’t think Eli Manning should be benched this year. However, changes are coming. If not this year, then next year. Maybe at quarterback. Maybe not.
However, a new head coach and new general manager with no allegiance to Manning could certainly mix things up in 2018. Eli Manning’s consecutive starts, at least in a New York Giants uniform, could be numbered.