Post-Game Transcript: QB Eli Manning

NYG Postgame (vs. Bears) Transcripts: QB Eli Manning -- December 2, 2018

Q: What was the mindset coming into this game after last week?
A: The mindset was the same. We know we are a good team and we can hang with anyone. We have been right there at the end with every team except maybe the first Philly game with a chance to win. The same thing with this game. Defense did a great job setting the tempo with Alec getting a pick six to start the game. Offensively it took us a little while to get going. We got a nice field goal before half. Then, in the second half the first two drives we scored touchdowns and we built a lead. They are a good defense and a good team. I felt like we could come in and hang with them. We made plays and we feel like the last three or four weeks, we have been playing good football. We just have to continue to do that.

Q: How much momentum did those points at the end of the half give you?
A: I think it was good. It was good to get the offense going and get some momentum. It was good to get a drive and get some points, knowing we get the ball to start the second half. That second half, the first drive to go down there and get points, score the touchdown, now we got the lead. We had not played great but now we had the lead. It was good for the whole team, the offense, defense and the fans. It was a reversal of last week with the slow start, but in the second half we were able to make plays to win the game.

Q: What changed for you personally?
A: Nothing really. They had a good plan the first half. They got us into some trouble with good coverages for some of our plays. In the second half, we just made an emphasis to run the ball. They were really challenging us and taking away the pass so they could take the run. I think we were able to run the ball and got into some third and manageable situations. And came up with a couple of big plays.

Q: What has Barkley meant to this team?
A: He is a tremendous player. He makes some good runs and opens up the play action. Once we started rushing it, it brought the safeties down there a little bit more and gave us an opportunity to make some plays.

Q: You ever jump that high with a TD celebration with Odell?
A: Well, I have never really been in that situation where someone else throws it and they are behind you. I don’t know. I know all the routes in every play and I don’t know if Russell had that route. All week we tried to hit the corner routes. Russell made something up and Odell hit him for a TD. Sometimes you have to draw it up in the dirt. We hit a big play there.

Q: How would you describe Odell’s passing skills?
A: He can throw it. He can always throw it really well. He has done it in the past and he does it in practice. He did a good job today of going through his progressions. He went one, not open, run, not open, throw it deep. It was the old 60-yard check down. We like those.

Q: Was the emphasis in the second half to establish the run?
A: I think so. They were playing a lot of shell defense and two high. They were trying to take away the passing game. They were giving us good looks to run the ball and we just had to take advantage of it. Get us in some third and manageable. It was hard to throw it. We had some pass plays and there just wasn’t much going. You don’t want to hold the ball against this group. They had us in a bind a little bit in the first half but second half, made some big plays.

Q: What was it like in OT?
A: Obviously that was a big drive for the offense right there. We were moving the ball and had a good game. We just had to keep doing it. Let’s go get one more drive and end this thing. I thought we were going to have a walk-off touchdown to Shep when I let the ball go. I said I got him and I put it right where I wanted it. He said he lost it in the lights a little bit. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the TD but we got the field goal and the defense did a great job getting the stop.