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    Giants' Pat Shurmur Says 'There's a Chance' Eli Manning Keeps Playing

    Megan ArmstrongAnalyst IIIDecember 15, 2019

    EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 15: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants hugs head coach Pat Shurmur of the New York Giants in the final seconds of their 31-13 win against the Miami dolphins at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
    Al Bello/Getty Images

    Eli Manning led the New York Giants to a 36-20 win over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and fans in attendance made sure to treat it as if Manning will never suit up as the Giants starter at home again:

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    Trying not to cry while Giants fans give Eli his well-deserved ovation in what could be his last home start 👏 (via @Giants) https://t.co/gQA4BLEc4B

    The victory put an end to the Giants' nine-game losing streak, but according to head coach Pat Shurmur after the game, it may not be the end of Manning. "We have two games left to go," Shurmur told reporters when asked if Sunday was it for Manning. "We'll have to see. ... There's a chance Eli keeps playing."

    Sunday was also Manning's first win as a starter this season and brought his career regular-season record to 117-117, all with the Giants since debuting in 2004. Despite the window dressing, Manning was mainly focused on getting a win with the team:

    NFLonCBS @NFLonCBS

    After expressing his appreciation for @Giants fans in his postgame interview, Eli Manning trotted off, waved to the fans, and left the MetLife Stadium field as a hero one final time. https://t.co/d1KkVtVGcg

    But his team gave him the game ball:

    Giants' Pat Shurmur Says 'There's a Chance' Eli Manning Keeps Playing
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    New York Giants @Giants

    "No better feeling" #GiantsPride | @Pepsi https://t.co/Gy4UzZMlu1

    Manning did offer a comment on his NFL future, too. "I don't know what the circumstances are," the two-time Super Bowl champion said. "We've still got some football games left. I'll have time to reflect on all that. But it's still a special win, no matter what."

    Following the Giants' 23-17 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday night, Manning was equally as vague about his football future:

    Ralph Vacchiano @RVacchianoSNY

    When will Eli Manning make a decision about next year? “Probably next year,” he said. https://t.co/sDEqoJD97x

    As for next week against Washington, Manning admitted he'd "like to" start, but the status of rookie sixth overall pick Daniel Jones is unclear. "I know Daniel is getting close," he added. "I get it either way."

    Manning was benched for Jones in mid-September but stepped back into the starting role last week after Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain.

    The likelihood that New York brings back Manning is objectively slim, though. The 38-year-old's contract will expire following this season, and the Giants have made their commitment to Jones clear.

    But with Jones presumably in place as the franchise quarterback in 2020 and beyond and the Giants with nothing to play for at 3-11, it would make sense to let Jones fully heal and have Manning finish out the remaining two games.