Jets vs. Giants: Eli Manning Must Rebound from Dreadful 2010 Season

If the New York Giants hope to make the playoffs in 2011, they are going to need more from franchise quarterback Eli Manning.

Manning just simply needs to be better than he was in 2010.

Last season, Manning led the NFL with 25 interceptions while finishing with a pedestrian quarterback rating of 85.3. Those aren't the numbers of a guy deserving of his six-year, $97.5 million contract.

The younger Manning did throw for 4,002 yards with 31 touchdowns while completing 62.9 percent of his passes, but he threw multiple interceptions in eight games, four of which were losses.

In fact, he was only interception-free in four games in 2010.

The Giants finished 10-6 last year—the same record as the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers—but missed the playoffs thanks to a tiebreaker. It's not a stretch to say that if Manning had taken better care of the football, they would have been in the postseason.

Thanks to injuries and defections, the Giants are likely to rely even more heavily on Manning in 2011. Leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw is struggling with a lingering back injury, Steve Smith—the team's most consistent receiver—will now be catching passes in Philadelphia and three cornerbacks are now out for the season.

All of that adds up to more pressure on the 30-year-old Manning.

With the Eagles and Cowboys both looking improved and primed for division title runs, the Giants will rely heavily on their leaders to keep the team above water early. Until the defense finds its footing and the secondary can round into shape, New York's offense will need to lead the way.

With Bradshaw ailing and Smith on to greener pastures (and a greener jersey), Manning needs to find a way to get it done.

As the Giants take the field against the New York Jets in their third and most important preseason game Monday night, Manning will need to show he is in control of the team's offense. He needs to take ownership of the team, step up into a leadership role and put the offense on his back.

If Manning doesn't improve from last year, it could be a very long season for Giants fans.