The Eli Manning era with the Giants is coming to a close.
Giants head coach Ben McAdoo has decided to bench the longtime starter and will go with Geno Smith this weekend against the Raiders.
Manning had started 210 straight games for the Giants, a streak that dated back to his rookie season in 2004. His streak for consecutive games started by a quarterback is second to only Brett Favre, who started 297 straight.
On its face, this move shouldn't be very surprising. Manning hasn't played very well (2,411 yards, 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions) and the Giants are 2-9, in the basement of the NFC East and NFC. So it makes sense that they'll want to see what they have in Smith and rookie Davis Webb.
But benching Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP, is still pretty shocking.
The last time the Giants started a different quarterback was on Nov. 14, 2004. To put that in perspective, Carson Wentz was just 11 years old then.
According to a release from the Giants, the team offered Manning the opportunity to start games and then come out for Smith, but Manning didn't take them up on the offer. He thought that would tarnish the legitimacy of the streak.
Philadelphia Eagles
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In 27 career starts against the Eagles, Manning has a 10-17 record. He has thrown for more yards (6,779) and more touchdowns (48) against the Eagles than any other team he's faced. (He also has 48 touchdowns against the Cowboys.)
The Eagles will face the Giants on Dec. 17 in North Jersey. It will be the first time they'll face the Giants sans Manning since the season opener in 2004. The Eagles beat the Giants and starter Kurt Warner 31-17 in that one at the Linc.
