Eli Manning: Top 10 Performances Of His Career
By John Tolis
Sep 25, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) celebrates with fans in the stands after defeating the Washington Redskins 45-14 at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
10. November 20th, 2005 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Final Score: 27-17
Barely into his first full season as an NFL quarterback, Manning displayed his willingness to win. It was a mid season match-up against their NFC East rivals and the Giants needed to win to keep their play-off hopes alive. Manning went 17-26 throwing for 218 yards and three touchdowns. His overall passer rating for that game was around 130, which was the highest in that 2005 season.
Manning showed his determination to come strong in the fourth quarter, which has become his forte. The Giants were holding a 13-10 lead heading into the fourth, but Manning made sure the Eagles couldn’t reach. After a critical touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey, the Giants jumped to a 20-10 lead.
The Eagles answered right back to narrow the gap to 20-17, but again, Manning came firing. Back when wide receiver Plaxico Burress was his main target, Manning and Burress connected for 61 yard pass to gain a 27-17 lead that would seal the victory.
This game was just a glimpse of what the Giants would be in store for with Manning’s fourth quarter grittiness. Manning and Co. would go onto finish 11-5 to secure a spot in the playoffs, but rookie Eli couldn’t pull any upset.
Next: 9. October 5, 2008