All those cringe-inducing interceptions, the throws at the feet of his target, the hangdog look, the nagging analysis of his negligible charisma, the bland quotes and sagging quarterback statistics, all of it can be done away with tomorrow as long as Eli Manning steers the Giants to victory. It's a life of firsts for any quarterback - first NFL start, first touchdown pass, first 300-yard passing game, first win. For some, first celebrity girlfriend.
Manning has got all except the last one, but he doesn't have his first playoff win. He's 0-for-2, having played miserably (along with everyone else in a Giants uniform) two years ago against the Panthers and much better in last year's 23-20 loss in Philadelphia. Manning led the Giants back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Eagles with a 65-yard drive for a field goal and an 80-yard drive capped with a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 5:04 remaining, but that is largely is forgotten. Continue
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