The New York Giants QB Talks Saints-Giants
Just four days away from the New York Giants home visit from the New Orleans Saints, Eli Manning looked ahead to the matchup on Wednesday during a conference call.
Coming off a 27-22 win vs the Houston Texans — the Giants first win of the season — Eli Manning opened about the Giants offense next challenge vs a struggling Saints defense.
“It’s just different,” Manning said during the conference call. “Nothing specifically. [They have been] going against a couple of high-powered offenses … [teams] that have good receivers and guys have won some battles.
“I think they do a lot of different looks on defense so we gotta be prepared for all of them and make sure we can hold up and hopefully give our guys some opportunities to win those one-on-one battles.”
The New Orleans Saints defense — promising for much of 2017 after a rough first two games — has taken a major step back to begin 2018. The Saints have surrendered 34.3 PPG (Last in the NFL) and are giving up the 3rd most yards per game in the NFL (421.0).
That’s a welcoming sign for Eli Manning and the New York Giants offense that’s averaging only 18.3 PPG.
In order for the Giants to have success, however, a offensive line that made a move at right tackle last week from Ereck Flowers to Chad Wheeler will have to be better.
The Giants have allowed Eli Manning to be hurried or pressured on a number of his drop backs to begin the year as Manning has been sacked 12 times to begin the season, fourth most in the NFL.
When asked about the Saints defensive line that features Pro-Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan, Manning acknowledged the challenge they present to a offensive line finding its way.
“They have a couple of good guys on the end that do a good job of getting pressure and inside,” Manning said. “They’re big guys and we just gotta make sure we know where they all are and we should be able to compete. They’ve done a good job of getting pressure, especially at critical moments in the game.”
Eli Manning is 3-4 in his career vs the New Orleans Saints, and most of those games have seen the Saints offense led by Drew Brees light up the Giants.
The New York Giants are allowing 36.5 PPG to the New Orleans Saints in six matchups since 2006 with the Giants giving up 48+ points three times in that span.
Eli Manning had one of the best games of his NFL career on November 11th, 2015 vs the New Orleans Saints when he threw for 350 passing yards and a career-high 6 TDs.
He would be outdone by Drew Brees, however, as Brees would go for 505 passing yards and a career-high 7 TDs in a epic 52-49 shootout in the Superdome.
Eli Manning, who had it brought to his attention that Brees is closing in on his brother Peyton Manning’s all-time passing yards record of 71,940 passing yards, praised him on Wednesday.
“Drew (Brees) has had an unbelievable career,” Manning said. “What he’s been able to do when he was in San Diego and (now) in New Orleans these last (13) years.
“He’s been there a long time now and he’s had great success and there offense has always been high-powered and he’s been leading the way. [I have] a lot of respect (for Drew Brees) and I’ve gotten to know Drew (Brees) over the years. [I have] a ton of respect for him.”
The New York Giants are +3.5 underdogs at home this Sunday at MetLife Stadium vs the New Orleans Saints.
What are your thoughts on the Giants chances on Sunday vs the New Orleans Saints? Leave your comments below!