Eli Manning Makes Bold Prediction For 2016 NFL Season

Jun 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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He’s always been a man of few words, but New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning wasn’t shy about stating his expectations for 2016.

From his perspective it looks like it could be a great year.  Manning is 35-years old, coming off his fourth Pro Bowl appearance and has a potentially lethal array of weapons at his disposal in Odell Beckham Jr., rookie receiver Sterling Shepard and the possible return of Victor Cruz. Manning has thrown 30 or more touchdowns and 4,400 or more yards in two-straight seasons. Now his former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is the head coach, which could open up even more possibilities.

This is to say nothing of the additions made to the defense over the past few months. Jason Pierre-Paul is back and he’s joined by several new faces including fellow pass rusher Olivier Vernon, big nose tackle Damon Harrison, veteran corner Janoris Jenkins and talented rookie corner Eli Apple. If those players can live up to their billings this year and elevate the defense from the persistent mediocrity its been in, then this team could be one to watch.

Manning is so confident of that fact, he didn’t shy away from making a bold statement on the season to come.

"“I’m excited about this year with the Giants, I’m excited about Coach (Ben) McAdoo and staying in that same offense,” Manning told NFL Media’s Rhett Lewis. “I’m looking forward to getting back to making playoffs and getting back to what we’re expected to do.”“We expect to score the ball more. We think we can score over 28 points a game,” the quarterback said. “We were close to hitting that last year. I think being my third year in the offense, getting some new weapons like Sterling (Shepard), getting Victor Cruz back, getting Larry Donnell back healthy. …. We do have a lot of weapons.”"

The Giants have finished with a 6-10 record the past two seasons. They haven’t posted a winning mark since 2012 and haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 when they made their miracle run to the Super Bowl. Eli Manning knows even more pressure is on him to perform with Tom Coughlin being fired and his offensive coordinator getting the job. In years past he’s been able to answer the bell, but the truth is he’s going to need help in order to make this prediction a reality.