It's the second preseason game for the 2019 Giants, so it's silly to slap any real level of significance on Friday night's contest against the Bears. And for Eli Manning in particular, as he pushes toward his 16th NFL campaign, it's just a root in the trail that has to be stepped over without tripping. He's started must-win regular-season games, postseason games and Super Bowls. A contest in August in a half-empty stadium against a defense that may or may not be playing all of its starters? Hardly a seminal moment.
Then again...
Maybe this is an important opportunity for Manning. After his meek three-and-out in last week's opener was overshadowed by rookie Daniel Jones' 5-for-5 touchdown drive, a strong showing by the veteran would allow the Giants to put their planets back into proper orbit. It would allow them to cling to their plan of having Manning as their starting quarterback � perhaps all season, if you ask co-owner John Mara, perhaps beyond if you ask general manager Dave Gettleman � and bury the narrative push for an open quarterback competition with the regular-season opener fast approaching.
