The Giants take on the Dolphins in Week 15. While all postseason dreams were shattered weeks ago, there is one story worth talking about.
Eli Manning is set to make, in all likelihood, his final start at home. The face of the franchise for the past 16 seasons and two-time Super Bowl winner will get what he well deserves. One last time, we will hear the chants of “Eli Manning!” from the Giants’ faithful. This is being coordinated on social media to take place after the first quarter, but I think it will be echoing through MetLife Stadium all game long.
One thing that would make it more special is if he leads the Giants to a win and ends his career at an even .500.
Even if you’re not a fan of this team, you have to respect Eli. His pair of titles came at the hands of the Belichick and Brady Patriots dynasty in a span where a select few can say they beat them in the Super Bowl once, let alone twice.
The next question is, will he retire? I think the answer is yes. The only way he will play in 2020 will be if the Giants bring him back, or if he signs with the Jets. He and his family have set up their life in New Jersey, so I doubt he would uproot them at this point in his life.
The other question on everybody’s mind is if Eli is a Hall of Famer. He doesn’t have lights-out career numbers. He had just as many bad games as good. The defense helped win the championships without a doubt. A miraculous helmet catch sealed New England’s fate in one of the Super Bowl victories.
I think he is a Hall of Famer based on the two Super Bowl wins. He might not get in on the first ballot, but he will definitely be enshrined in Canton in the near future.
