Here are 10 storylines to follow as the Giants get set for the Raiders:
1. STREAK ENDS
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For the first time since November 14, 2004, Eli Manning will not be the starting quarterback of the New York Giants, concluding a streak of 210 consecutive regular-season games bookended by Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and now Geno Smith. Coach Ben McAdoo announced the news on Tuesday that Smith will start in his place when the Giants (2-9) face the Raiders (5-6) in Oakland on Sunday.
"Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis [Webb] are given an opportunity to play," Manning said. "My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them. Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won't finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can."
2. SMITH'S RÉSUMÉ
Smith has 30 career starts under his belt. He started 29 games between 2013 and 2014 with the New York Jets and once more for them in Week 7 of last season, a 24-16 home victory over Baltimore. In that game, he completed 4 of 8 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown before suffering a torn ACL in the second quarter that ended his season. He signed with the Giants in the offseason and eventually beat out Josh Johnson to serve as Manning's backup.
Smith is 12-18 as a starter, including 2-0 in his career against the Raiders. Smith also relieved Ryan Fitzpatrick early in a 2015 meeting vs. Oakland, completing 27 of 42 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns to one interception in a 34-20 road loss.
3. WHEN WILL WEBB PLAY?
Webb, who was taken with the 23rd pick in the third round (87th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, is expected to play sometime before the end of the season – if not this week. The Cal product has been inactive for all 11 games this season with his last action coming in the Giants' preseason finale on Aug. 31 against the Patriots. In three preseason games (he did not play in the second at Cleveland), Webb went 18 of 34 (52.9 percent) for 190 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants get set to face the Raiders, presented by Microsoft Surface
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSNo player in the NFL has more total tackles (28) in the last two weeks than Landon Collins, who now leads all safeties in the league for the season with 83.
DT DALVIN TOMLINSONTomlinson, who recorded his first career sack last week, will team up with Damon Harrison and company to try to contain Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch.
RB WAYNE GALLMANThe rookie led the team in rushing yards last week week and could be featured more down the stretch as the Giants evaluate their young talent.
WR ROGER LEWISWith Sterling Shepard likely returning to the field on Sunday, things could open up for Lewis after a game in which wide receivers accounted for only five receptions.
CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIEAfter losing cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Donte Deayon to season-ending injuries, DRC will have to step up to help the secondary.
Webb played three seasons at Texas Tech before transferring for his final year to the University of California, which became only the second school to have quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds of back-to-back NFL Drafts (Jared Goff was selected No. 1 overall in 2016). In four combined seasons, Webb played in 35 games with 26 starts. He had 841 completions in 1,367 attempts (61.5 percent) for 9,852 yards, 83 touchdown passes and 34 interceptions.
4. INJURY REPORT
Out: LB Casillas (neck/wrist)
Doubtful: OL Justin Pugh (back)
Questionable: DT Damon Harrison (elbow)
5. JENKINS LATEST ON IR
The Giants' injured reserve list swelled to 19 players this week with the addition of cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who injured his ankle in the Thanksgiving loss to the Redskins. In that game, Jenkins, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, recorded his seventh career interception return for touchdown. The Giants also placed the following players on injured reserve this week: offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (toe), cornerback Donte Deayon (forearm), and linebackers Curtis Grant (knee) and Deontae Skinner (hamstring).
6. SHEP EXPECTED BACK
Migraines kept Sterling Shepard out of the last two games, but the second-year wide receiver is in line to play on Sunday. Shepard, who missed another two games earlier in the season, was coming off a career game in which he had 11 receptions for 142 yards.
7. APPLE BACK IN FOLD
Second-year cornerback Eli Apple has been inactive the last two weeks due to a coach's decision, but the former 10th overall draft pick will be back in play this week against the Raiders. "Eli is back in the fold and depending on what package we're in, you'll see him out there," defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "So that's a good thing. That'll help us."
8. O-LINE STATUS
Last week, the Giants employed their eighth different starting offensive line of the season, tying them with Green Bay for the NFL high. Fluker, who started six games at right guard this season, this week joined starting center Weston Richburg on injured reserve. Justin Pugh, meanwhile, has missed three of the last four games with a back injury. Jon Halapio made his first career start last week at right guard, next to undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler at tackle.
9. BEAST MODE
Five-time Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch is coming off his most productive game as a Raider, racking up 111 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in a win over Denver. Derek Carr and the Raiders could lean on him heavily again this week with wide receivers Michael Crabtree (suspended) and Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle) sidelined. In his last game against the Giants in 2014, Lynch, then with the Seahawks, ran for 140 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
10. FAREWELL TO OAKLAND
The Giants are visiting Oakland for the first time since Dec. 31, 2005, when they clinched the NFC East title with a 30-21 victory in a game highlighted by Tiki Barber's team-record 95-yard touchdown run. It will also be the last time the Giants face the AFC West foe in Oakland as the Raiders will relocate to Las Vegas by the time they play each other again.
The Giants trail the all-time series, 5-7, but have won the last three meetings, including a 24-20 victory at MetLife Stadium in 2013. This year's Giants look to improve to 3-1 against the AFC West, where both of their wins have come this season. The Giants won in Denver in Week 6 and at home vs. Kansas City in Week 11. They lost to the Chargers in Week 5.
