EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Eight months ago, the New York Giants were patting themselves on the back after engineering a draft-day trade to get Eli Manning. No one seemed to care the Giants mortgaged the franchise in the deal with San Diego for the No. 1 overall pick.

“I think it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get somebody you feel that strongly about,” general manager Ernie Accorsi said after sending the rights to quarterback Philip Rivers (the fourth choice overall), a first-round pick next year and two other draft choices to the Chargers for the rights to Manning.

It was a deal everyone loved. New coach Tom Coughlin and the Giants supposedly got a great quarterback for the future. Manning also got his wish, which was not to play for the Chargers.

The other offshoot was that it left Ben Roethlisberger on the board and the Steelers took him with the 11th choice overall.

With the NFL regular season winding down, the deal of the century isn’t looking very good, especially with Manning and the Giants (5-8) prepared to meet Roethlisberger and the Steelers (12-1) today at Giants Stadium.

The Giants have lost six in a row and seven of eight in seeing their once-promising playoff hopes nosedive. They could be eliminated this weekend with a loss and wins by two of three teams: Minnesota, Carolina and St. Louis.

Manning, who replaced two-time MVP Kurt Warner at quarterback after the ninth game, is winless in four starts. His last two starts have been pathetic. The brother of 2003 co-MVP Peyton Manning of the Colts has hit 16 of 43 passes for 140 yards and two interceptions. He has led New York to one touchdown in 44 offensive series since becoming a starter.

Roethlisberger has not lost a game since becoming the starter Sept. 26 against Miami, a rookie record.

In 20/20 hindsight, it might be worth asking: Did the Giants make the wrong move eight months ago?

“I think Eli is going to be a very good quarterback in this league from what I see,” Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. “I think that if you give the kid time and give him some experience, I don’t think there’s any question that he is going to have success in this league.”