It’s only one game, but the 2011 season opener for the New York Giants was a disappointment. Playing on the road in Washington D.C. against the rival Redskins, the Giants executed just poorly enough to allow Rex Grossman and the ‘Skins to win by a two touchdown margin, 28-14. Allowing the Skins to score 28 points is not as alarming as it sounds, for the simple fact that the Giants were missing so many starters on defense. But that doesn’t quite explain why the Giants struggled so mightily moving the chains.
Eli Manning was neither great nor awful. He finished 18-of-32 with 268 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT. He did score on a two-yard run in the first quarter to give the Giants the lead. But Manning and the Giants offense was unable to accomplish much of anything on third down, converting just 1-of-11 third down conversions. Washington wasn’t spectacular either (5-of-15), but New York’s inability to keep the chains moving definitely contributed to the Skins’ finishing with slightly more than a five minute advantage in time of possession department.
On Monday, Manning joined The Michael Kay Show for his weekly segment on ESPN Radio New York. In the segment, Eli talks about the disappointing season opening loss, what the offense needs to do to get back on track next week against the St. Louis Rams next Sunday in their home opener, and taking over the crown of ‘Iron Man’ from brother Peyton now that he’s the Manning brother with the longest active consecutive games started streak going. Interestingly enough, Eli just started his 104th consecutive game, which only puts him at the halfway mark towards reaching Peyton’s recently snapped streak of 208 straight starts.
-- Listen to Manning’s interview on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN Radio New York
-- See Big Blue View for much more on the Giants