New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s history against the Indianapolis Colts brings decent stats but zero wins.
Through his 15-year career, Eli Manning hasn’t had much experience against the Colts. Playing in opposing conferences, the New York Giants and Colts can only face off every four years. Therefore, Eli has had a mere three games against Indianapolis in his life.
In those three games, Manning and the Giants are 0-3. Although he’s put together decent stats through the air, Eli has also failed to take care of the football. And that’s translated to three losses, two of which were to his brother and former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
That being said, in honor of the Giants-Colts matchup this Sunday, here is Eli Manning’s history against Indianapolis.
1. 2006 Week 1 Prime Time Loss at Home
It was Week 1 in the 2006 NFL season, and the Giants hosted the Colts at the old Giants Stadium. A Sunday Night Football matchup, the Giants were looking to build upon their successful 11-5 campaign in 2005, despite losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. However, the previously 14-2 Colts were still the Colts, and it showed.
For the majority of the game, Eli Manning (his third year in the NFL at the time) put up decent numbers. He completed 58.8 percent of his throws and was able to rack up 247 yards through the air. The Giant quarterback also threw for two scores in the game, one of which was a 34-yard touchdown to former receiver Plaxico Burress in the second quarter, along with a 15-yard score to former tight end Jeremy Shockey in the third.
However, Manning also had two turnovers on the night. He lost one fumble late in the third quarter that led to a Colts touchdown along with an interception late in the fourth that essentially sealed the deal.
Peyton Manning and the Colts eventually escaped the Meadowlands victoriously with a final score of 26-21. The Giants were thus sent into week two with an 0-1 record.
2. 2010 Week 2 Prime Time Loss on the Road
The Giants came into Indianapolis fresh off of a Week 1 victory against the Carolina Panthers. It was the second Eli Manning-Peyton Manning showdown, as Big Blue was looking for a big win to start the year 2-0. However, that wasn’t the case due to Eli’s play.
In another Sunday Night Football matchup, Eli was a turnover machine. He threw one interception and managed to lose two fumbles in the game. Eli simply wasn’t careful at all with the ball, and it was a huge factor in the eventual 38-14 loss.
As far as the stats are concerned, Eli did complete 13 of 24 throws for 161 yards and two scores. The two touchdowns consisted of a 54-yard pass to Mario Manningham and one from 31 yards out to Hakeem Nicks late in the fourth quarter.
Overall, it was an abysmal game for the Giants. They dropped to 1-1 in a year where they eventually went 10-6 but missed the playoffs.
3. 2014 Week 9 Prime Time Loss at Home
Eli Manning and the 3-4 Giants hosted Andrew Luck and the 5-3 Colts at MetLife Stadium in a Monday Night Football matchup. It was a big game for the Giants, as a win would get them to .500 and put them in a better position in both the NFC East and NFC playoff picture.
Through the air, Eli did all he could. He completed 51.9 percent of his throws for 359 yards and two scores. Both touchdowns were in the fourth quarter, one from five yards out to tight end Larry Donnell and one from a yard out to Corey Washington.
However, once again, Manning failed to be careful with the ball. He fumbled the ball twice, losing one.
The Big Blue defense didn’t help Eli and the Giants offense out much either, as the G-Men eventually lost the game 40-24, dropping to 3-5 on the year. They eventually finished that year at 6-10, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
