Eli Manning On WFAN: 'We're Elevating Our Play In The Fourth Quarter'
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Just like that, the Giants' playoff hopes are alive and well.
After two crushing defeats to begin the season, New York won its second consecutive game on Sunday, defeating the Bills, 24-10, in Orchard Park, New York.
The Giants are now 2-2, in a three-way tie with the Cowboys and Redskins for first place in the NFC East. The Eagles are in the cellar with a 1-3 mark.
It's anyone's division.
"Coach (Tom) Coughlin did a great job challenging us to start winning the fourth quarter and elevating our play in the fourth quarter," quarterback Eli Manning told WFAN host Mike Francesa during his weekly spot on Monday. "I think we did that. It was looking grim there for a little bit, but the defense had some great stops on some drives.
"(There was) a first-and-goal situation that we get a stop on. They turn the ball over on downs, and they got within six and had a lot of momentum. The offense responded also, and the defense got a turnover. Instead of having leads in the fourth, and not playing our best and maybe getting conservative, we're going all out.
"And we're elevating our play in the fourth quarter to give us a chance and an opportunity to win those games."
Big Blue came into a hostile environment this weekend but earned a victory against a talented Bills team. Rex Ryan's squad scored just 10 points, and Manning was terrific again.
The two-time Super Bowl MVP completed 20 of 35 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He threw one interception, but continued to protect the football exceptionally well.
In his second year under offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, Manning has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 976 yards and has thrown seven touchdown passes to just one interception.
The G-Men have a terrific opportunity to get above .500 this coming Sunday night when they host the lowly 49ers (1-3) at MetLife Stadium.