Eli Manning Saves Starting Job With Game-Winning Touchdown Drive

Manning led New York on fourth-quarter scoring drive as the Giants beat the Niners 27-23.

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images

It was a Week 10 game in San Francisco, but for Eli Manning, it was his Super Bowl.

And, much like he did twice against the New England Patriots, the 37-year-old quarterback played like it.

For the 36th time in his NFL career, Manning led New York on a game-winning drive, taking the Giants 75 yards in the fourth quarter and tossing a three-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard with 53 seconds left on the clock.

The score and the extra point put the Giants up 27-23 over the San Francisco 49ers and the G-Men snapped a five-game losing streak with the win.

“It doesn’t get old,” Manning said. “It’s fun. It’s fun playing in those games and having a two-minute drive to win it. Those are the situations you want to be in. You want to have a chance.”

Manning finished 19-of-31 for 188 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Odell Beckham Jr.

More importantly, Manning did not throw an interception, had a passer rating of 110.7, and, at least temporarily, silenced chatter that he should lose his starting job.

“That’s what Eli is really good at, engineering those come-from-behind drives,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “That was terrific. He hung in there and made some really good throws and got us into the end zone. That’s the sign of a good quarterback.”

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1062214085561921536

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.