The New York Giants visit the Chicago Bears for NFL Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:25 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE.
For many, it was hard to imagine the Giants starting off 0-5. Now the G-Men are trying to avoid their first 0-6 start since 1976, ESPN reports. The offensive line for the Giants has been atrocious, and the running game hasn't lessened any of the burden from the shoulders of quarterback Eli Manning.
"The guy is trying to play the best he can," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, via ESPN. "He's certainly trying to do too much. He knows his team and he knows his responsibility. He's an extremely accountable guy and he's going to do everything he possibly can. Sometimes it's not to be done that way."
Manning has thrown a league-high 12 interceptions. The O-line hasn't helped, giving up 15 sacks through five games. Manning has completed only 53.7 percent of his passes, and the running game has averaged just 56.8 rushing yards.
"It's everyone, the receivers, the offensive line. Everyone is to blame for some of these losses," said receiver Victor Cruz. "It's pretty frustrating. We understand that one of these games has to turn for us."
Chicago, meanwhile, has dropped two straight games after winning their first three. Bears receiver Brandon Marshall voiced his frustration this past week about his production in the offense. After catching 15 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games, Marshall has been limited to just 16 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown in the last three games.
Defenses have keyed on Marshall, often throwing double-teams his way to limit his production and force quarterback Jay Cutler to look elsewhere.
"Sometimes the formula may go to me, sometimes it doesn't. Whatever's best for the team to win, that's what we need to do," said Marshall. "I'm always going to be frustrated when our offense isn't No. 1 in the league. I'm always going to be frustrated when we're losing."
