After 5 INT game, Dallas Cowboys expecting to face a resilient Eli Manning
Jon Machota Email
jmachota@dallasnews.com
Published: November 19, 2014 5:35 pm
IRVING – Eli Manning is coming off his worst game of the season. The New York Giants quarterback threw a career-high five interceptions and completed only 48.9 percent of his passes in a 16-10 loss to San Francisco last Sunday.
The Cowboys aren’t expecting a repeat performance Sunday night.
“He’s just a really good player and has been for a long time,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “When you play that position in this league, you’re going to have some games where it doesn’t go your way and he’s proven throughout his career that he always comes back.”
Cornerback Brandon Carr said the Cowboys defense won’t be taking the two-time Super Bowl MVP lightly.
“I think he’s going to be himself,” Carr said. “The same mentality that he had last week, the same throws he throws with confidence. He’s a Pro Bowl caliber player. He’s going to step back up to the plate and try to deliver again.”
Sunday’s game will mark the 15th time that Manning and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo have squared off. Romo holds the edge in those head-to-head matchups, winning eight of the previous 14. Manning is 11-10 lifetime against Dallas.
“Obviously, he has had a fantastic career and he has been a great competitor,” Romo said. “He has been a great challenge. I think the evolution and just to see his ability to continue to grow as a player and obviously come up big when they needed him in the Super Bowl years. He has done an outstanding job.”
What about Manning’s game does Romo admire most?
“He really gives that football team a really good chance when not everything is going perfect,” Romo said. “He still allows them to compete game-in and game-out and have a chance. Ultimately, that is what you are asking is that the pieces around you some years are better than others, but he has been a constant, and I think it shows over the years.”
In his 21 games against the Cowboys, Manning is averaging two touchdown passes, one interception, 252 yards and a 91.7 passer rating.