Manning and Giants face make-or-break season
While Eli Manning may have two fingers adorned with Super Bowl rings, the New York Giants quarterback could well be facing a make-or-break season after an absolutely dismal 2013. The 33-year old’s final appearance of last season summed up his entire year; forced off the field with an ankle injury with his final pass of the campaign being intercepted – his 27th of the season which saw him leading the league in interceptions.
As he trudged down MetLife Stadium tunnel, Manning could be forgiven for feeling relieved the whole rotten affair of 2013 was over. Now, the two-time Super Bowl MVP will be under some real pressure to prove he is capable of leading this Giants side back to success and drawing a line under last year’s disastrous campaign which saw New York slump to 7-9 to miss out on the NFL play-offs.
Sure, Manning had one of the worst seasons of his career but the Giants problems were in no way down solely to their quarterback. A misfiring offensive line and a myth of a running game, wide receivers were often seen heading in the opposite direction to the ball as Manning struggled with his decision-making and accuracy in a team that had many Betfair punters tearing up their betting slips midway through the season.
Without the natural talent of his brother, Manning has often needed a strong team around him to really produce his best, where perhaps Peyton could look good in any team in the league. So, while Manning is no doubt under pressure to bounce back from last year’s disappointments, the quarterback will need the Giants to put together a squad which can realistically return the Giants to the play-offs and possibly worth a wager with Betfair ahead of the new season.