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NFL Week 2: Top 5 quarterback battles fans will want to watch

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Matthew Stafford (DET) vs. Eli Manning (NYG)

The Giants host the Lions on Monday Night Football, and New York will look to get back on track after a lost performance against its NFC East division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 1.

New York combined for just 233 yards and three points in Dallas’ impressive 19-3 win on Sunday Night Football. And the Giants offense did, well, pretty much nothing without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) out of the lineup.

Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off a 35-23 back-and-forth victory over the Arizona Cardinals, where quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed four touchdown passes in his season debut.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Eli Manning

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was forced to pass a lot in Dallas, as New York’s ground game was virtually nonexistent. He completed 29 of 38 passes but for only 220 yards and one interception. His longest throw was a 31-yard toss to rookie tight end Evan Engram.

Manning is clearly hurting for Beckham to get back on the field. The star receiver is still listed as questionable, despite earlier reports the injury might sideline him for six to eight weeks.

For Manning, though, the Week 1 anomaly provides a chance for the veteran quarterback to set things straight on a prime-time stage.

Matthew Stafford

Stafford’s record-setting contract extension earlier this year certainly puts him in the discussion for quarterbacks needing to live up to expectations.

Week 1 provided the opportunity, and Stafford delivered. The Lions managed to put up 20 points in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals, and two of those four touchdowns took place in the final frame to ensure Detroit’s win.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the first half in the against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the first half in the against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Lions were one of the teams I picked to go through a bit of a regression this season, but Stafford doesn’t seem to be having any of it.

Week 2 against a tough Giants defense at home should reveal if Stafford is the real deal this season.