With the New York Giants facing off against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, here are Eli Manning’s five best games against that very organization.
Throughout New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s long career as a New York Giants, he’s faced the Atlanta Falcons nine times. There have been great games, there have been bad games, and even one Wild Card Weekend playoff game. All-in-all, Eli has had success against the Falcons and hopes to continue that success on Monday night.
Here are the five best performances Eli Manning has brought to the table against the Atlanta Falcons in his storied career.
5. 2014 Week 5 Home Victory
The Giants hosted the Falcons at MetLife Stadium in Week 5 of the 2014 NFL season. Coming off two straight wins, the Giants had clawed their way back to .500 after an 0-2 start. However, the win streak hadn’t stopped there.
Completing 19-30 of his passes (63.3 percent) with 200 yards through the air, Eli Manning did what he needed to do to lead Big Blue to victory. Throwing for two touchdowns to zero picks, Eli hit former receiver Rueben Randle in the end zone, as well as gave Odell Beckham Jr. his first career touchdown in his first career game.
The Giants improved to 3-2 on the season after an 0-2 start, defeating the Falcons 30-20.
4. 2007 Week 6 Monday Night Football
In the Giants 2007 Super Bowl season, many remember the 0-2 start that had everyone wanting both Eli Manning and former head coach Tom Coughlin out of New York. However, the Giants went on to win the next six games to begin their quest to an eventual playoff berth. And in the midst of that win streak, they faced the task of going into Atlanta on a Monday night. However, it simply didn’t phase Eli one bit.
In this prime time game, Manning completed 69.2 percent of his throws, completing 27 of his 39 attempts. He also gained 303 yards through the air, with two touchdowns to two interceptions. The receivers he hit for scores included his top two targets to start his career, former Giants Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.
Eli and the G-Men went on to rout the Falcons by the score of 31-10. It was a great performance from Eli, and a great team win, as the Giants improved to 4-2 on the season.
3. 2015 Week 2 Home Loss
For the second consecutive year, the Giants hosted the Falcons in East Rutherford, NJ towards the opening weeks of the regular season. However, the outcome of this one wasn’t in the Giants’ favor, as it was the previous year. Nonetheless, it was a decent performance from the long-time Big Blue quarterback.
Coming off a week one loss to the Cowboys, along with criticism all week from the media regarding clock management in that very game, Eli was dominant against the Falcons. Throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns, Eli also completed 67.5 percent of his passes. He read the Falcons’ secondary well for the most part, and was careful through the air, as he didn’t get picked off once in that game.
The two scores were given to Beckham, his first touchdown of that year, and former Giants tight end Larry Donnell.
However, the Giants weren’t able to close out the game despite leading in the second half. They eventually lost 24-20 and fell to 0-2 on the season.
2. 2009 Week 11 Home Overtime Win
It was Week 11 at the old Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands, and the Giants were in a major slump. After starting out with the impressive record of 5-0, the Giants dropped four in a row. At that point, they were in a lot of trouble as far even getting in the position to make a playoff run.
Eli Manning and Big Blue thus hosted the Falcons at home, and Eli put the Giants back on the map…at least for the time being. With a monster, 384-yard game, throwing for three touchdowns to only one interception, Eli led the Giants to their first win in 42 days. Touchdowns were to former tight end Kevin Boss, twice, and one to former fullback Madison Hedgecock.
Manning, with a 64.1 percent completion percentage in that contest, also led the Giants down the field on a final drive in overtime, with former kicker Lawrence Tynes sealing the deal at the end. With a game-winning field goal, the Giants took the game from the Falcons, 34-31.
1. 2011 Wild Card Playoff Home Win
The Falcons came into MetLife Stadium on Wild Card Weekend to face the NFC East Champion New York Giants. It was the Giants first playoff game in nearly three years. And as we all know, these are the types of games where Eli Manning thrives.
Receiving an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone in the first half, giving the Falcons a safety and a 2-0 lead, things didn’t start out great. However, it was all uphill from there.
Throwing for 277 yards on 23-for-32 passing, Eli showed that his greatness in the playoffs wasn’t just a one-time thing in 2007. He hit wide receiver Hakeem Nicks twice for scores, along with a touchdown to Mario Manningham to seal the deal late.
With zero interceptions as well, Eli led the Giants to a 24-2 victory. They then advanced to the Divisional round of the NFC playoffs and eventually won Super Bowl XLVI.
