New York Giants president and chief executive officer John Mara has leapt to the defence of Eli Manning, following a poor campaign for the player and the team.

Manning threw a league-high 27 interceptions this season, as well as being sacked 39 times and throwing just 18 passing touchdowns as the Giants failed to reach the post-season for the second year in a row.

However, Mara has backed Manning to come good again next year, once the team has been strengthened during the off-season.

He told reporters: "Well listen, he did not have a good year and he'd be the first one to tell you that. But he had a lot of company there, and I think with Eli, sometimes he tries to do too much.

"He competes so hard out there and he has so much confidence in his ability to get the ball into certain areas that, unfortunately, he makes mistakes sometimes, but I still have every confidence in him.

"He's still the face of the franchise and we need to help him. We need to give him some better tools and do a better job around him next year."

The Giants ended the campaign with a 7-9 record in the NFC East, finishing behind the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.