Benjamin Franklin was credited for saying, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” And you can also include Eli Manning starting at quarterback for the New York Giants to that proverb.
Manning is heading into his 16th season as the starting quarterback of the Giants. The only difference now is that his play on the field is rapidly declining.
Since 2011, Manning has led the Giants to a less than stellar record of 56-71. Although, that includes a Super Bowl win against the New England Patriots in 2011.
Since then, New York has made the playoffs just once, and Manning continues to visibly look worse throwing the ball. For Giants fans, it may be hard, but you have to realize all good things must come to an end.
Manning's career is inevitably nearing its end, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manning is under center for the Giants in the year 2080. He'll likely grace a gold jacket when its all said and done, but it isn't terrible to admit he's hard to watch.
In 2019, Manning loses Odell Beckham Jr. at wide receiver and is hoping to have a better season than he did in 2018. Here are three way-too-early bold predictions for the veteran quarterback in 2019.
3. 67+ Percent Completion Percentage
In 2018, Eli Manning had a bad season if you watched it but a decent one if you look at the stats. The most surprising stat was the 66 completion percentage he had last season.
That was, of course, his career-high in completion percentage over his 15-year career. Before that, Manning's career-high was a 63.1 completion percentage back in 2014.
He will continue to increase his completion percentage in 2019 to the tune of at least 67 percent. That is only because he will revert to throwing more and more dump offs to guys like Saquon Barkley due to his arm continuing to get weaker.
Manning no longer pushes the ball downfield, and it showed in 2018. Therefore, he has more opportunities to complete more of his passes in the short-pass variety in 2019.
2. Less Than 20 Passing Touchdowns
Is this a bold prediction in terms of a modern-day Eli? He struggles to make easy throws—especially in the red zone.
I can't name how many times Manning overthrew or underthrew a receiver in the red zone to prevent the Giants from scoring. That will continue to happen in 2019—enough so, that he will throw less than 20 touchdowns through the air.
In his fifteen years in the NFL, Manning has only three seasons where he has had less than 20 passing touchdowns. One of those seasons includes his rookie season where he had only six touchdowns.
The Giants have to realize they can't win anymore with Manning under center. Therefore, he will finally be in a role where he is just a game-manager—which should've happened years ago.
1. Less Than 10 Interceptions
We have to save the boldest of bold predictions for last. You can call me certifiably insane for saying this: Manning will have less than 10 interceptions in 2019.
Again, New York will need to move forward this season by making Manning become a game-manager. That leaves fewer opportunities to turn the ball over and complete more passes.
Throughout his career, Manning only has one season where he has less than 10 interceptions. That season was his rookie season, where he had nine interceptions.
But, he only started in only seven games in his rookie season. Manning will (probably not, but this IS a bold prediction article) improve his turnovers in 2019 by throwing less than 10 interceptions.
It would be fitting for Manning to throw less than 10 interceptions in his rookie season and for it to come full circle by him throwing less than 10 interceptions in what could be his last season under center for New York.
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