Eli On WFAN: Giants Need To Eliminate Mistakes Coming Out Of Their Bye
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- While it may be premature to say the Giants are in trouble, they have a stretch of games coming up that could easily define their season-- and not in a good way.
Speaking to WFAN's Mike Francesa on Monday during his usual weekly spot, quarterback Eli Manning said Big Blue needs to recharge its batteries during its bye week and come out with purpose to begin the unofficial second half of its season.
Following their week off, the Giants' next four opponents, Indianapolis, Seattle, San Francisco and Dallas, are a combined 18-9, and feature some of the best quarterbacks in the league.
"Well, obviously we'd like to have a better record," Manning said of the Giants' 3-4 start. "We've been right there in the mix in every game. We've lost to some good teams – you look at the Cardinals, at Dallas and Philadelphia. They have great records and are playing very good football. We have to stay the course, keep working to get better. We have to make some strides and stop hurting ourselves and figure out a way to get some explosive plays, and game-changing plays.
"I feel like we can be strong, get hot in the second half, get on a win streak and make something of the season," Manning added. "We can't get caught up with where we are in the division right now. We have to worry about the Giants and ways to win games."
On Sunday, the Giants struggled to contain the Cowboys' three best weapons, running back DeMarco Murray, quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The result was a 31-21 loss, one that Manning said the Giants will learn from.
"We went backwards instead of forwards in some situations. That's what really hurt us," Manning said. "We're just making some mistakes at crucial times in the game that are keeping us from playing as well as we can.
"Those key moments in games, those big plays, third downs, fourth and 1, fourth quarter, that's where your play has to excel. That's where you have to play at your highest level," he added. "Yesterday, we just seemed to go backwards."
Despite the season-ending injury to wide receiver Victor Cruz and a knee injury that has kept running back Rashad Jennings sidelined since Week 5, the Giants' offense has held up its end of the bargain. That's saying something considering the unit was expected to struggle even with veteran pieces due to the introduction of a new coordinator and philosophies during the offseason.
Manning said it will be on younger players like receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to continue their maturation process as the fall turns to winter.
"We have guys who can do some good things, but we have young guys who are going through it for the first time. So there will be some mistakes. There will be some good and bad," Manning said. "We need this second half of the season for them to be no longer having those rookie mistakes. We need you to play at a high level and be on the same page with everybody. Hopefully we can get that, and excel and have a good second half."
To hear Manning's complete interview with Francesa, please click on the audio link below.
Eli Manning
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