New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is set to announce his retirement from the NFL on Friday, which means it's a perfect time to look back on a great career. Even though it didn't end like he would have liked, there were a lot of special moments including winning a couple of Super Bowls. Let's breakdown the five best moments from Manning's 16-year NFL career.

5. Manning shows his potential

Everyone expected big things out of Manning because of where he was selected in the draft, but his real breakout moment didn't come until late in his rookie season. In Week 15 as a rookie, the Giants hosted a Pittsburgh Steelers team that went onto win 15 games. During that game he went head to head with Big Ben completing 70 percent passes and throwing two touchdowns. Even though the Giants lost, all the talk after the game was about young Manning's performance.

4. One last start in front of his home fans

After Manning was benched to start the season, there were questions if he would ever see the field again. Rookie signal-caller Daniel Jones did go down with an injury and that allowed Manning to get a couple more starts. The second start came at home and fans were cheering for him the entire game, sensing it might be the end. Manning finished the game throwing for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

The stat line wasn't glorious but he did enough to win the game. He got a curtain call from the fans, and it was a great way to show their appreciation for all the great things Eli Manning did for the franchise.

3. Manning hangs tough during 2011 NFC Championship game

During the 2011 NFC Championship Game, the Giants offensive line didn't do him any favors. He was hit 12 times by the San Francisco 49ers and sacked six, but that didn't stop him from having a big game. He finished the game completing 32 of his 58 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

It took overtime to get the job done, but they were able to come away with a win and advance to the Super Bowl.

2. Manning wins second Super Bowl

Manning helped lead the Giants to 12 unanswered points against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for his second Super Bowl victory over the future Hall of Famer. This was the game that cemented Manning's legacy and should be enough to get him into Canton, Ohio, someday, even if it's not on the first ballot.

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1. Helmet Catch

Is there really any doubt what the top moment was? In 50 years people will still be talking about what he did during Super XLII. On third-and-five with the Giants down four points and a little over a minute to play, Manning broke free of a few defenders and found David Tyree who caught the ball with his helmet.

Manning would later find Plaxico Burress for the game-winning touchdown. Manning took home Super Bowl MVP honors for his performance.