Former New York Giants backup quarterback David Carr nearly started the 2011 NFC Championship vs. the 49ers.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s former start-streak nearly ended in the 2011 postseason.
Former Giants backup quarterback David Carr mentioned on NFL Total Access how he nearly started the 2011 NFC Championship Game.
Leading up to the game against the San Francisco 49ers, Manning apparently came down with the flu. He ended up not being able to practice for nearly the entire week.
“We roll into Friday, he’s still sick — can’t practice. He’s literally in the training room getting IVs all day,” Carr said. “Has the flu for like four straight days. So I practice on Friday with the team. So now Eli hasn’t had any practice time, I’ve taken all the reps for the NFC championship game.”
However, the Giants avoided a scare, as Eli eventually felt better the day before the game in San Francisco.
“He shows up on Saturday, looks fine, he goes through the walk-through, goes to the game,” Carr said. “Everything is normal. No one knew. He didn’t practice all week.”
Carr was Manning’s backup from 2008-09 and then again from 2011-12.
Manning then went on to put up 316 yards through the air on 32 of 58 passing and two touchdowns against the 49ers. Scores were to former Giants tight end Bear Pascoe and former receiver Mario Manningham.
They went on to win the game 20-17 after a game-winning 31-yard field goal by former kicker Lawrence Tynes in overtime.
Of course, as many know, Big Blue went on to win Super Bowl 46 against the New England Patriots a few weeks later. Manning thus solidified himself as an elite NFL quarterback. It was a claim he made prior to the 2011 season.
Who knows what would’ve happened if Eli had the flu for just a few more days.
