Sunday felt like old times for Eli Manning and the New York Giants, as the franchise quarterback led his team on a frantic game-winning drive in the final two minutes against the San Francisco 49ers. And for the first time since Week 3 of the Super Bowl season of 2011, Manning was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Manning was 41-for-54 for 441 yards, three touchdowns and an interception Sunday night. The 41 completions are a career-high and a team record. The final one, to tight end Larry Donnell in the back of the end zone, delivered the game-winning touchdown with 21 seconds left.
This is the third time Manning has won this award. He previously won it in Week 2 of 2006 and Week 3 of 2011. The last Giants player to win the Offensive Player of the Week award was wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, in Week 2 of 2012 against the Buccaneers. The last Giants player to win any Player of the Week award was linebacker Devon Kennard, who was NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 14 of last season.
And speaking of the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, that honor this week went to Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, who had three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in the Eagles' victory over the Saints. That means the reigning NFC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week will face off in Week 6, as Manning and the Giants travel to Philadelphia to take on Cox and the Eagles on Monday Night Football.