Week 17 – Eli Manning vs. Philadelphia
Eli Manning had a big game against the Rams last week. He didn’t turn the ball over and he had 391 yards and three touchdown passes as the Giants showed they still have some fight left in them this season. The emergence of rookie Odell Beckham as an elite receiving option has really helped Manning over the second half of the season.
This week, Manning faces an Eagles defense that has given up 29 touchdown passes and over 250 yards per game through the air. It’s a nice matchup and a late season battle for pride as these two teams are now out of the race for the NFC East title. Manning is an inconsistent option in general, but he has a nice matchup and isn’t a bad filler option or QB2 in most leagues this week.
Week 16 – Eli Manning vs. St. Louis
Eli Manning had a nice day against Washington last week, leaning heavily on star rookie receiver Odell Beckham and throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He also didn’t turn the ball over, which is always a big bonus for Eli.
Manning may continue to hook up with his phenomenal rookie, but banking on him this week against a tough Rams pass defense that ranks third in the league in passing touchdowns allowed isn’t where fantasy owners want to be entering the end of the season. Manning should be considered QB2 at best this week and should be on the bench in most leagues.
Week 15 – Eli Manning vs. Washington
Eli Manning had 260 yards, a touchdown and a pick last week as the Giants destroyed the Tennessee Titans to earn their fourth win of the season. Manning has been quiet the past few weeks, but hasn’t been a turnover machine like we’ve seen from good old Erratic Eli in the past.
Manning has a fantastic matchup this week against a Washington pass defense that only gives up 238 yards passing per game, but is 30th in the league in passing touchdowns allowed this year. Manning is too inconsistent to rely on week-to-week or to consider an elite option in any outing, but the stars are aligned for a good game this week and fantasy owners should consider him a nice QB2 or injury fill in option.
Week 14 – Eli Manning vs. Tennessee
Eli Manning couldn’t pull off a victory against the Jaguars last week, and had a ho-hum fantasy outing as well. He finished with only 247 yards and a touchdown, and while he didn’t throw any picks, he did fumble the ball twice, helping Jacksonville sink the Giants down to 3-9 on the season.
Manning should have a nice matchup against a Titans defense that has been average against the pass all year but was completely torched by Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Texans passing offense last week. Still, he’s a scary one to trust, since Manning has been known to blow good matchups before (cough, Jacksonville, cough) and it’s hard to count on a guy like that. If you’re struggling this week and need a guy with upside, Manning isn’t bad, but we have him just outside our starter rankings even against the Titans.
Week 13 – Eli Manning vs. Jacksonville
Eli Manning had a nice game against Dallas last week, even though the Giants fell short of a much needed victory. He ended up with 338 yards and three touchdowns and only threw one pick.
This week, Manning faces a Jacksonville pass defense that has given up plenty of yards and touchdowns this season, but also is surprisingly third in the league with 33 sacks. That could spell trouble for a Giants offensive line that has struggled to protect Manning, and could lead to turnovers. Still, it’s the Jaguars, which means Eli has moderate QB2 fantasy value and upside. He remains a risky guy to count on as a QB1 though and fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Week 12 – Eli Manning vs. Dallas
Eli Manning is usually good for a few bad games a year with multiple turnovers. Against the 49ers last week, he made up for old times, tossing five interceptions to only one touchdown in a Giants loss. Manning wound up with 280 yards passing, but the five turnovers were hard for fantasy owners to take.
This week, Manning faces an above average pass defense. Dallas has allowed only 14 touchdown passes all season and is tied for tenth in the league with 10 interceptions forced. This should be a little easier of a day for Manning than last week, but he’s still a very risky starter at best in most fantasy leagues. He’s in low-end QB2 territory.
Week 11 – Eli Manning vs. San Francisco
Eli Manning had 283 yards, a touchdown, and a pick in a loss against the Seahawks last week. The Giants continue to run hot and cold on offense, and Manning has been anything but consistent, which to be fair, is pretty consistent for Manning.
This week, Manning faces a 49ers defense that has looked vulnerable this season, but he’s hard to trust on a week to week basis due to his propensity for turnovers and his erratic production. Plus, the 49ers have given up only 215 passing yards per game and they are sixth in the league with 11 interceptions on the season. That doesn’t bode well for Manning, and fantasy owners should look elsewhere.
Week 10 – Eli Manning vs. Seattle
Eli Manning actually put up good numbers last week against the Colts, even though the team got blown out. While Eli did fumble the ball twice, he also had 359 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns to go with no interceptions.
While encouraging, he faces a tough Seattle defense this week, making Manning a risky option. Seattle hasn’t been as dominant on defense as they were last year, but the Seahawks are still a formidable opponent, and Eli will likely have a tough game. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere.
Week 9 – Eli Manning vs. Indianapolis
Eli Manning was off last week, but in Week 7, he turned in a solid performance against the Cowboys, tossing three touchdowns, no picks, and throwing for 248 yards. Manning has been inconsistent this year, and the Giants offense along with him. Some weeks they look brilliant, and others they look lost.
This week, Eli faces a Colts defense that ranks 21st in passing yards per game and 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed. Still, the Colts have been a top ten team rushing the passer and may pressure Eli into his pick-happy ways that we’ve seen so many times before. He’s a risky starter and is really only a bye week filler if you need it.
Week 7 – Eli Manning vs. Dallas
Eli Manning was terrible against the Eagles, although he didn’t turn the ball over, which is surprising for a Giants loss. Manning had only 151 yards and completed less than 57 percent of his passes as the Giants were shut out. It didn’t help that the Giants gave up eight sacks, but what should’ve been a decent matchup left fantasy owners wondering why they trusted Erratic Eli again.
This week, things don’t get much better for Manning and the Giants, as the 12th ranked Dallas pass defense has helped the Cowboys to a surprising 5-1 record this season. The Giants will need to protect Eli better if they stand a chance. More bad news, Eli’s top receiver, Victor Cruz tore his patellar tendon and will likely miss the season. Eli is still a spot starter and a decent backup QB to have on your roster, but he should stay out of your lineup this week.
