These 5 New York Giants must step up against the Texans

No. 1 – Eli Manning

Eli Manning has taken plenty of blame for the New York Giants’ 0-2 start. That always tends to be the case for the quarterback. Receive the praise when you win. Take the blame when you lose.

Big Blue’s 37-year-old quarterback has been far from perfect, but according to Pro Football Focus, he’s actually been their second-best offensive player this season.

It may be hard to believe with all the check-down passes in Week 2. However, there’s been little room for success behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines.

If the Giants can get improved blocking up front, Manning must take advantage of his opportunities. He can’t end Sunday’s game with just one long completion to Cody Latimer and a bunch of check-downs to Barkley.

He will have to take some chances downfield. That also requires his playmakers, Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram, to get open. For that to happen the Giants will need the threat of a ground game, something New York’s opponents have yet to respect this season.

But at the quarterback position, Manning is expected to elevate this offense. That’s what happens when a first-year general manager spends the offseason building the team around you.

Manning has yet to take that step. It’s clearly no easy task given his blocking up front, but No. 10 knows better than most what it means to play for a New York franchise. He needs to deliver, and Giants fans are tired of waiting.

It’s no secret, everyone on the Giants from the players to the coaches needs to step up in Week 3. Nonetheless, the quarterback position inherently has the greatest impact on the outcome of a game. For that reason, Manning is the top player who needs to deliver this Sunday.