Eli Manning Benched by Giants + More NFL News
UNDATED (AP) — The offensive line has been horrible, the receiving corps has been decimated and the play-calling has been second-guessed. And with that, the New York Giants have decided a quarterback change is in order after the team fell to 2-9 with a lackluster 20-10 loss to Washington on Thanksgiving night.
Eli Manning has been benched after starting every game since the middle of his rookie season 13 years ago. The Giants will go with Geno Smith, who washed out with the New York Jets after being taken in the second round of the 2013 draft out of West Virginia.
Coach Ben McAdoo says he gave the 36-year-old Manning the option of starting to keep his streak of 210 consecutive starts alive, but the two-time Super Bowl MVP didn't want any part of that. Only Brett Favre has started more consecutive games among NFL quarterbacks in league history.
Playing with a weak offensive line and a thin group of receivers, Manning has still managed to complete about 63 percent of his passes and throw just seven interceptions. He is the team record-holder in almost every single-season and career record among Giants signal-callers.
Also in the NFL:
— Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree and Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib have had their suspensions reduced from two to one game on appeal. The pair was punished for their fight during Sunday's game at Oakland. The fight was a continuation of a dispute that started last season when Talib ripped Crabtree's chain off during the season finale.
— Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (gah-RAH'-poh-loh) will make his first start of the season when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Bears in Chicago on Sunday. The Niners hoped Garoppolo would emerge as the team's long-term QB when they acquired him on Oct. 31 from New England for a 2018 second-round pick. Garoppolo made his San Francisco debut in the final minute of Sunday's 24-13 loss to Seattle after starter C.J. Beathard left with injuries to his hip and knee.
— Running back Darren McFadden has announced his retirement two days after his release by the Cowboys. The 10-year veteran had his second 1,000-yard rushing season just two years ago, but he was an afterthought for the Cowboys even after 2016 NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott started his six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence. McFadden finished with 5,421 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns.