Eli Manning Makes A Late Push For The Interception Record Books

When we last checked in on Eli Manning's quest for the single-season interception record, the Giants QB had thrown 17 interceptions through 10 games, but was tapering off and seemed in danger of losing the league lead to Geno Smith. We wrote at the time that they'd need a Tarkenton-level meltdown to reach 30 interceptions, something no quarterback has done in a quarter century.

Well, the meltdown has begun. The updated chart above tracks Manning's and Smith's interception paces, through Week 15, against the four QBs of the post-merger era to hit 30 on the season. After his five picks against the Seahawks on Sunday, Manning has 25 interceptions through 14 games; he's throwing picks at the same rate as Ken Stabler, Richard Todd, and Fran Tarkenton in their interceptiest years. He needs five interceptions in his last two games to join the club, 10 to tie Vinny Testaverde's mark of 35 from 1988, and 11 to top it. Anything is possible.

Geno Smith—whose interception total was surging at last check—seems to have gotten his shit together. After throwing 18 interceptions in his first 11 games, he's settled into a nice "one pick a night" rhythm, and would need nine in his last two games to hit 30. As a reminder, Eli's older brother is probably going to break the single-season record for passing touchdowns this year.