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NFL New York Giants

Frank Fleming
Author: 
Frank Fleming
125 mins
November 1st, 2023
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  • 94th Season

  • First Game Played: October 11, 1925

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HISTORICAL MOMENTS:

1925:

Four years after the NFL’s first try in New York, Tim Mara, a successful businessman and promoter, purchased a team for a reported $500. In an era when professional football was in the shadows of baseball, boxing, horse racing and college football, while professional football teams hailed from the towns of Dayton, Rochester and Columbus, league officials believed that a team in a large market such as New York was exactly what was needed to keep the fledgling NFL alive. However, the Giants were in danger of bankruptcy despite playing competitive football in their first season. The Giants started off 0-3, but after a seven game winning streak stood at a respectable 7-3. However, more important then Wins and Losses was, what could them get out of the red? A December 11th game at the Polo Grounds against Red Grange and the Chicago Bears would be key. The game was a huge gate attraction drawing over 70,000 fans at the Polo Grounds, and kept the Giants in business, and helped to get pro-football a foothold in New York, as the Giants went on to finish with an 8-4 record splitting a home and home series with the Bears.

1926:

In their second season the Giants would get off to a slow start losing three of their first four games. However, they would only lose one more game the rest of the year as they posted a solid 8-4-1 record.

1927:

The Giants led by a stifling defense that only allowed 20 points in a 13-game season stomps their way to first Place, and a NFL Championship with a record 11-1-1. During the season, the Giants would walk off the field ten times having shut out their opponents, and did not allow a single score against them in the first half all season long.

1928:

The Giants are unable to repeat their magical defense, and stumble their way through a sixth place 4-7-1 season. This year it is the Giants who seem to have trouble getting on the scoreboard, as they are shutout six times, and only manage to score a total of 79 points in a 12 game season.

1929:

The Giants rebound and once again become one of pro-football’s strongest team with an impressive 13-1-1 record. However, the 20-6 loss the Giants suffered November 24th against the Green Bay Packers would end their championship aspirations as the Packers complete a perfect 12-0 season.

1930:

Near the end of another impressive second place 13-4 season Head Coach LeRoy Andres was replaced by Bernie Friedman, and Steve Owen. Following the season Owen takes over the job full time and would serve as the Giants Head Coach for the next 23 years.

1931:

With the depression gripping the NFL, Tim Mara was worried that it would not only cost him his team, but his business hands over the day to day control of the team to his two sons Jack, who was twenty-two, and Wellington, who was fourteen. Wellington Mara became the youngest owner of a football team and began his storied career as a major player within the Giants organization. The Giants would go on to suffer through a mediocre 7-6-1 season.

1932:

The Giants continue to struggle posting a losing record for the second time in franchise history at 4-6-2, as the NFL was set to move into the modern era.

1933:

In the beginning of the NFL’s modern era the Giants begin the first year of divisional play by dominating the Eastern Division with an 11-3 record, and claiming a spot in the first official NFL Championship Game in Chicago against the Bears. The game would seesaw back-and-forth with the Giants taking a 21-16 lead in the 4th Quarter. However, with less than a minute to go, the Giants defense could not hold on, and allowed a lateral that accounted for 19-yard game winning Touchdown. The Giants would make an attempt at a similar play but Bears great Red Grange grabbed Giants Back Dale Burnett around the chest making such a play impossible as time ran out.

1934:

Despite struggling to finish 8-5 the Giants finish at the top of a mediocre Eastern Division to earn a NFL Championship Game rematch with Bears. However even with the Giants playing host in the Polo Grounds they had their work cut out for them as the Bears finished the season a perfect 13-0. In the first half the Giants had trouble just keeping their feet on the ground as the Polo Grounds was covered in a sheet of ice, as the thermometer read that it was only nine degrees. Giants Coach Steve Owen seeing his players stumble decided to take a gamble and sent for basketball sneakers to be worn in the second half. The Giants would fall behind 13-3, but in the 4th Quarter the Giants were able to get their footing with sneakers as the Bears still stumbled on the icy field. The steady footed Giants 4th Quarter uprising began with an Ed Danowski 28-yard Touchdown pass to Ike Franklyn. Ken Strong would race 42 yards for another Touchdown just moments later to give the Giants a 17-13 lead. Danowski and Strong would then score subsequent touchdowns to bring the final score up to 30-13 in a game that would be forever known as “The Sneaker Game”.

1935:

The Giants win their third consecutive Eastern Division Title and earn a trip to Detroit to take on the Lions in the NFL Championship Game. The Lions took a quick 13-0 lead in the 1st Quarter when Leroy “Ace” Gutowsky plunged over from the two yard line and Earl “Dutch” Clark shook loose on a 40-yard touchdown romp. The Giants would close the gap at 13-7 in the 3rd Quarter when Ed Danowski connected with Ken Strong for a 42-yard touchdown pass. However, the Lions defense would score twice in the 4th Quarter on a blocked punt and intercepted pass to end the Giants Championship reign.

1936:

After three straight years in the NFL Championship Game the Giants suffer through a disappointing 5-6-1 season and finish in third Place in the Eastern Division.

1937:

The Giants rebound to finish in second Place with a 6-3-2 record, but lose two key games to the eventual NFL Champion Washington Redskins, who claimed the Eastern Division over the Giants.

1938:

After a 1-2 start the Giants go on a season ending tear and didn’t lose another game the rest of the way to reclaiming the Eastern Division Title with an 8-2-1 record. In the NFL Championship Game the Giants would host the Green Bay Packers at the Polo Grounds, in a bruising thriller that was staged for the largest crowd 48,120 o see a championship game up to that time. With the victory, the Giants became the first team to win the championship twice since the divisional split-up. The Giants blocked two punts early in the game, and capitalized on both with Ward Cuff kicking a 13-yard Field Goal and Tuffy Leemans blasting over on a six yard plunge. Arnie Herber’s 50-yard Touchdownpass to Carl Mulleneaux got the Packers on the scoreboard, but Ed Danowski hit Hap Barnard for a 20-yard Touchdown pass and a 16-7 lead. The Packers closed to 16-14 at halftime on Clark Hinkle’s 6-yard Touchdown, then took the lead 17-16 on Engebretsen’s 3rd Quarter Field Goal. However, the Giants stormed as Danowski hit Hank Soar for the game-winning 23-yard Touchdown pass.

1939:

The Giants dominate the Eastern Division with a 9-1-1 record on their way to an NFL Championship rematch with Green Bay Packers. In the Championship Game played at the Milwaukee Fair Grounds the Giants would find themselves caught in a 35-mph biting cold wind that completely disrupted the Giants passing game. The Packers would go on top shutdown the Giants and claim the NFL title with a 27-0 victory.

1940:

The Giants lose their grip on the Eastern Division and struggle with mediocrity on the way to a third place 6-4-1 season.

1941:

On December 7th the Giants played their cross-town rival Brooklyn Dodgers for pride. Even though the Giants had lost their earlier match-up in Brooklyn, the 8-2 Giants had the Eastern Division Title sewn up. However, the game in which the Giants lost 21-7 would quickly fade into memory, as the sounds of football collisions were interrupted for the paging of Military Personal over the Polo Grounds Public Address system. Pearl Harbor had been attacked, and the country was now in World War II. With the specter of war weighing heavily there was talk of canceling the NFL Championship Game. However, the game would go on as scheduled two weeks later and the Giants would quickly grab a 6-3 1st Quarter lead over the powerful Bears in Chicago. However the Bears would take a halftime lead on a pair of field goals, and would go on to rout the Giants for a 37-9 final, with fourTouchdowns in the second half.

1942:

A midseason three game losing streak dooms the Giants chances for getting back into the NFL Championship, as the men in blue fall to third place with a 5-5-1 record.

1943:

The Giants get off to a rocky 2-3-1 start, as hopes for an Eastern Division Championship fades. However the Giants win their next two games and sit a 4-3-1 with two games against the first place Washington Redskins. If The Giants were to beat the Redskins in both games, they would be set up with a third straight match-up in the Eastern Division Playoffs. The Giants would win on December 5th in the Polo Grounds 14-10 and then again in Washington a week later 31-7 to set up the Divisional showdown in the Polo Grounds. However, third time was not a charm as the Redskins blanked the Giants to advance to the NFL Championship.

1944:

The Giants led by a strong defense that only allows 76 points in an 8-1-1 season edge out the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eastern Division Title. The Giants would face the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game played at the Polo Grounds. The Giants would have a rough time getting in the end zone all day as eth Packers raced out to a 14-0 halftime lead. The Giants would final crack the scoreboard on the first play of the 4th Quarter to get within a Touchdown. However, it would be the final scoring of the day as the Packers claimed the NFL Title with a 14-7 victory.

1945:

With the victorious end of World War II, life began to return to normal in America, and the NFL, who got many of its stars back. However, up and coming Al Blozis who departed the Giants early in the 1944 season would not return. Blozis would lose his life in battle, and the Giants would retire his uniform number 32 in his honor. The Giants would also experience rough times on the field as they suffer through a disappointing 3-6-1 season.

1946:

The Giants rebound nicely off their poor 1945 showing and reclaim the Eastern Division title with a 7-3-1 record. However, the Giants could not contain the Chicago Bears and Quarterback Sid Luckman who was a one-man wrecking crew in the Bears 24-7 win over the Giants at the Polo Grounds.

1947:

The Giants never quite get started, and struggle from the very beginning of the season. The defending Eastern Division Champions would not even win their first game until November 30th, by then the Giants were settled in last place having started the season 0-7-2. The Giants would go on to split their last two games as the aging Giants finished with a 2-8-2 record.

1948:

The Giants continue to struggle posting a record of 4-8 as the Giants defense allows a league high 388 points as they allowed 35 or more points seven times during the season including an embarrassing 63-35 home loss to the Chicago Cardinals and a 52-37 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

1949:

After two straight eight loss seasons the Giants show some signs of life, and sit at 6-4 with two games remaining even though a Division Title is out of the question the Giants can get a measure of respect if they can beat the Philadelphia Eagles in any of the two games to close out the season. However, the Eagles prove to be too strong, and hold the Giants to a Field Goal in each game ending the Giants hopes for a winning season.

1950:

The Giants rise back to the top of the newly re-christened American Conference, and put together a solid 10-2 season beating the Cleveland Browns twice. However, the Browns also finished 10-2, forcing a playoff game for a trip to the NFL Championship Game. Making matters worse is that the Giants lost a coin toss, and the game was played in Cleveland where the Browns and Giants met in a Defensive struggle, in which the Browns emerged victorious 8-3.

1951:

The Giants put together another solid 9-2-1 season. However, both losses would come at the hands of the American Conference Champion Cleveland Browns.

1952:

The Giants would fall one game short of first place as they posted a 7-5 record, in which they beat the first place Cleveland Browns twice. However a home loss to the last place Washington Redskins in the next to last week of the season would prove costly.

1953:

While one era was ending another one was beginning for the Giants. Coach Steve Owen would retire after a disappointing 3-9 season. Owen’s coaching career began as an interim head coach in 1930; his career would span the pre-modern era through the depression, and past World War II into the 1950’s where the league was on the verge of exploding. While, the Giants were scuffling along a light of hope was not hard to find as second year all-purpose back Frank Gifford had a breakout season leading the Giants in Touchdowns with seven.

1954:

In Jim Lee Howell’s first season as head coach the Giants get off to a solid 6-2 start, and are in the thick of the race for the Eastern Conference Title. However, threee losses in their final four games ended any playoff aspirations.

1955:

The Giants hopes for the playoffs end quickly as the Giants lose five of their first seven games. However, the Giants would not lose another game and would head into the off season with a 6-5-1 season to build off.

1956:

After 31 seasons at the Polo Grounds the Giants leave the crumbling old ballpark for Yankee Stadium. In their first season at Yankee Stadium the Giants jump out of the gate quickly winning six of their first seven games. The Giants would go on to finish with an 8-3-1 record, which was good enough to capture the Eastern Conference Title. Leading the way was Frank Gifford, who earns the NFL MVP with a nine Touchdowns and 1,422 all-purpose yards. In the first NFL Championship Game played at Yankee Stadium the Giants would face the Chicago Bears. The game was over by halftime as the Giants established a 34-7 lead, on the way to a 47-7 victory. Leading the way for Big Blue was Quarterback Charlie Connerly, and bruising Fullback Alex Webster who walked all over the Bears all day. The Championship proved perfect timing for both the league and the Giants as the NFL was about ready for an explosion in popularity, and at the forefront was the New York Giants, who were quickly becoming household names. The NFL was eager to promote its stars, and with Madison Avenue knocking on the door, the Giants became the most recognizable team in the NFL, as stars ranging from the matinee idol Frank Gifford to the rugged Sam Huff landed in advertisements. However, two bright stars toiled in anonymity on the Giants coaching staff. Working under Coach Jim Lee Howell was Offense Coordinator Vince Lombardi, and Tom Landry who guided the Defense each would go on to establish legendary Head Coaching careers.

1957:

After losing the season opener to the Cleveland Browns the Giants bounce back and stand at 7-2 after nine games. However, the quest for a second straight NFL title ended with three losses to close out the season at 7-5.

1958:

Through the first 11 games the Giants stand at 7-3, but still trail the Browns for first place in the Eastern Conference by a game. This set the stage for a season finale showdown with the Browns in the final game of the season at Yankee Stadium. The Giants would edge the Browns 13-10 to force a showdown for the Eastern Conference a week later. In the rematch at Yankee Stadium the Giants defense led by Sam Huff would completely shut down Jim Brown, to aid the Giants to a 10-0 victory to advance to the NFL Championship Game. The NFL Championship Game at Yankee Stadium saw the Giants taking on the upstart Baltimore Colts led by young Quarterback Johnny Unitas. The game was also a showcase event as it was the first time a major Television Network featured an NFL Championship Game. Millions would tune in, as the NFL was about rise from the shadows. With a crowd of 64,185 on hand at Yankee Stadium, the Giants jump out to a 3-0 on a 36-yard Pat Summerall Field Goal. However, the Colts would score twice, and would head into halftime with a 14-3 lead. The Giants would get back into the game on a one yard plunge by Mel Triplett, which was set up by an 86-yard gainer from Charlie Conerly to Kyle Rote with Alex Webster picking up Rote’s fumble. The Giants would later take a 17-14 lead on Conerly’s 15-yard Touchdown throw to Frank Gifford. However, with seven seconds remaining Colts Kicker Steve Myrah nailed a 13 yard Field Goal to knot the game at 17-17. Time would run out and at the end of 60 minutes nothing was settled, and for the first time in NFL History Overtime was needed to decide a game. The rules were simple the first team to score won, and thus it was important to get the ball first. The Colts would win the coin flip, but would not score on their first possession. After the Giants failed to score on their first possession the Colts got the ball back and drove it the length of the field, and won the game on a one yard Touchdown plunge by Alan Ameche. The Colts would win the NFL Championship, but the game won over new fans, and set the stage for the NFL’s explosion in popularity. To this day many experts still believe it to be the greatest game ever played.

1959:

The Giants cruise to the Eastern Conference Title with a 10-2 record, as Quarterback Charlie Conerly takes how the NFL MVP. The Giants Conference Championship set the up in a NFL Championship Game rematch with Colts in Baltimore. The Giants would take a 9-7 lead into the 4th Quarter, but the Colts would go on an offensive explosion to pull out a 31-16 victory.

1960:

At 5-1-1 the Giants had that Championship look heading into back-to-back match up with Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Giants season would come to crashing end in the first match up when Eagles Defensive Back Chuck Bednarik leveled Frank Gifford. Gifford would not regain conciseness for a few days, and would miss the rest of the season and the entire 1961 season. The Giants would only win onegame the rest of the season finishing with a 6-4-2 record.

1961:

The Giants go through changes on the sidelines and on offense as Allie Sherman takes over for Jim Lee Howell, as Head Coach, while former 49er Y.A. Tittle wins the starting Quarterback job away from the aging Charlie Conerly. Y.A. Tittle would have a stellar first season passing for 2,272 yards, which would serve important as Frank Gifford sat out the season recovering from the Bednarik hit. The Giants 10-3-1 record, that included a sweep over the Eagles that catapulted them into the NFL Championship Game. However, the Giants would find themselves over matched by the Packers who claimed the first of their five NFL Championships in seven years. The Packers would get 19 points from the lags and foot of Running Back Paul Horning, who also served as the Packers kicker on the way to a 37-0 thrashing.

1962:

With the return of Frank Gifford, and the stellar passing of Y.A. Tittle who threw for 3,224 yards, and connected on 33 Touchdown passes the Giants cruise to the Eastern Conference Title with a 12-2 record. This set up the Giants with a NFL Championship rematch against the Packers at Yankee Stadium. Bitter cold weather was no deterrent to 64,892 fans that turned out for the game. As things turned out, a trio of field goals by Packer guard Jerry Kramer made the difference in a game where both defensive units turned in superlative jobs. The only Giants score was a result of defensive work when Erich Barnes blocked a Max McGee punt and reserve end Jim Collier fell on the ball in the end zone, as the Packers emerged with a 16-7 victory.

1963:

Y.A. Tittle puts together another stellar 3000 yard passing season, while connecting on 36 Touchdown passes, which earns him the NFL MVP. The passing of Tittle enables the Giants to make return trip to the NFL Championship Game with an 11-3 record. In the NFL Championship Game in Chicago the Bear defense turned the tide in this championship game, after the Giants took an early 10-0. The Giants were the victims of five pass interceptions thereafter, two of which set up the Bear scores. Tittle, who suffered a knee injury in the first half, gallantly returned to action in the second half, but was hampered by his injury.

1964:

The Giants seemed to get old at once gone was the magic in Y.A. Title’s arm that only passed for 10 Touchdowns against 22 interceptions. The magic was also gone form Frank Gifford’s legs as he only managed to cross the end zone 4 times. Both Giants greats would retire after the season as the Giants would suffer through a 2-10-2 season.

1965:

Shortly after a mediocre 7-7 season the Giants shake the world of pro-football to its core by signing Kicker Pete Gogolak. However, Gogolak was already property of the AFL’s Buffalo Bills. The AFL threatened a lawsuit, and began talking with NFL stars about buying out their contract. This worried owners in both leagues that salaries would escalate, and forced both leagues to meet on how to respect each other’s contracts. The meetings would go better then expected, and resulted in a merger that included an end of the season Championship Game starting in 1966.

1966:

The addition of Pete Gogolak is no help for an inept Giants team that suffers through its worst season in franchise history finishing with an awful 1-12-1 record, while allowing over 500 points on defense.

1967:

The acquisition of Quarterback Fran Tarkenton ignites the Giants offense, and helps the Giants improve to 7-7. The nimble footed Tarkenton passes for 3,088 yards and 29 Touchdowns. Tarkenton’s favorite target was a young Wide Receiver named Homer Jones who scored 13 Touchdowns, and caught 1,209 yards in passes. When Jones scored he would slam the football into ground, giving birth to the Touchdown celebration called the spike.

1968:

The Giants get off to a promising start winning their first four games, and giving hope to Giants fan. However, the hope would fade, as the Giants would begin to struggle splitting their next six games, as rumors of coach Allie Sherman’s firing began to circulate. The rumors would get louder as the Giants would lose their final four games to finish with a disappointing 7-7 record. In the final game of the year at Yankee Stadium frustrated Giants fans serenaded their departing coach with a verse of “Goodbye Allie”.

1969:

Under new Coach Alex Webster the Giants would get off to a strong start winning three of their first four games. However, the Giants would go into a tailspin losing their next seven games, which wiped out any playoff hopes. The Giants would win their last three games to post a record of 6-8. Despite the poor record Quarterback Fran Tarkenton would have a fine season with 23 Touchdowns to just eight interceptions.

1970:

The Giants stumble out of the gates losing their first three games, but the Giants would quickly right themselves and would win nine of their next ten games, and were set up with a possibility of playoff berth with a win in their final game. However, the Giants would be routed by the Los Angeles Rams 31-3 in their season finale to finish with a 9-5 record, one game out of first place in the NFC East.

1971:

With Fran Tarkenton suffering through one of his worst seasons the Giants find themselves in the NFC East cellar with a 4-10 record. After the season Fran Tarkenton is dealt back to the Minnesota Vikings, where he would lead the Vikings to three Super Bowls in four years.

1972:

After dropping their first two games the Giants ran off a four game wining streak to give New York fans reason to hope. However, the Giants would split their final eight games and ended up in third place with a record of 8-6.

1973:

With the renovation of Yankee Stadium into a baseball only facility the Giants are forced to find a new home. Finding a permanent home was easy, as the Giants and the New Jersey town of East Rutherford agreed on the building of a state of the art stadium. However, the stadium would not be completed until 1976, and the Giants need to find a temporary home. The Giants wanted to play on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. However New Haven officials were reluctant because of the NFL’s blackout rule. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle then with help of national politicians would persuade the FCC to change the rule so that the rule was only in effect if the game was not sold out in advance. This would clear the way for the Giants to play in New Haven after playing their first two games of the season at Yankee Stadium. However, the new home would still have a negative effect as the Giants finished with a woeful 2-11-1 record.

1974:

The Giants continue to struggle in their temporary home losing all seven games played at the Yale Bowl, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Jets in the first regular season match up, with their New York rivals. The Giants would go on to finish in last place with a woeful 2-12 record.

1975:

After two horrible seasons in New Haven in which the Giants only won once in 12 tries the vagabond Giants return to New York to share Shea Stadium with the Jets for one season. Shea was also used that season by the Mets, and Yankees making it the busiest facility in sports. However, the Giants struggle with a 2-5 home record, on the way to another miserable 5-9 season.

1976:

After playing their first four games on the road the Giants finally move into their new home in the Meadowlands. Located just a short drive from the Lincoln Tunnel, the state of the art Giants Stadium final gave Big Blue a place of their own. However, the failures on the field continue as the Giants lose their first nine games, along the way costing Head Coach Bill Armsberger his job. The Giants would go on to finish in last place with a woeful 3-11 record.

1977:

The Giants struggles continue as they suffered their fifth consecutive losing season while finishing in last place again with a terrible 5-9 record.

1978:

Before a team can turn things around it is said it must first hit rock bottom. For the Giants rock bottom finally came during a late November Game at the Meadowlands against the Philadelphia Eagles. Leading 17-13 late in the 4th Quarter all the Giants had to do to win the game was kneel on the football. However, Quarterback Joe Pisarcik for some unknown reason tries to hand the ball of to Larry Csonka. The ball hit the Csonka, (who was not excepting it) in the chest and lands on the turf where Eagles Defensive Back Herman Edwards scoops it up and returns it the distance for a winning Touchdown in a play that would forever be know as “The Miracle in the Meadowlands.” Had the Giants won the game they would have stayed alive in the Wild Card race with a 6-6 record. Instead the Giants would go on to win only one of their remaining games finishing with a 6-10 record.

1979:

After 15 years without a playoff appearance, and the embarrassing “Miracle in the Meadowlands”, Giants owner Wellington Mara was desperate to get the ship righted. Mara would turn to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle for advice; on the recommendation of Rozelle the Giants hire George Young to run the day-to-day operations of the team. Young, had success in a similar position with Baltimore Colts years earlier, and had been serving in the front office of the Miami Dolphins. Young, who was the first true General Manager in franchise history, began by replacing Head Coach John McVay with Ray Perkins. His next move was to find a young Quarterback to build the team around. However, when the QB he selected was not a popular choice as he used a first round draft pick on Phil Simms from tiny Morehead State. Fans at the NFL Draft soundly booed the choice as New York Headlines screamed “Phil Who?” Simms would go on to have a solid rookie season as the Giants recovered from 0-4 start to stand at 4-4 at the midpoint. However, the Giants would struggle down the stretch before finish with a 6-10 record.

1980:

Quarterback Phil Simms experiences a sophomore slump, and becomes “Phil Boo” to the press and fans in a season plagued by interceptions. The Giants would go on to finish with a woeful 4-12 record, which was only highlighted by a Week 10 win over the Dallas Cowboys, which probably cost their division rivals a trip to the Super Bowl.

1981:

After a season in which the Giants defense allowed 425 points, General Manager George Young set out to find defense for his team. With the second Pick overall in the NFL Draft, Young would select LInebacker Lawrence Taylor from North Carolina. LT would make an immediate impact as the Giants defense improved immensely allowing almost 200 less points, as Taylor took home both Defensive Rookie and Player of the Year honors. The Giants would play solid football as well, and stood at 8-7 going into the final week of the season with a chance to make the playoffs with a win. In the final game of the season the Giants and Cowboys would meet in a defensive struggle that went to Overtime. In OT Giants Kicker Joe Danelo would nail a game winning Field Goal to send that sent the Giants to the playoff for the first time in 18 years. In the Wild Card game against the Eagles the Giants took the field with backup Quarterback Scott Brunner. The young Giants would go on to stun the defending NFC Champions in Philadelphia 27-21. In the second Round at San Francisco the Giants would stay in the game with 49ers until late before falling 38-24 to the eventual Super Bowl Champions.

1982:

If the Giants were going to make the playoffs for a second season in a row they were going to have to do it with backup Quarterback Scott Brunner, as Phil Simms would miss the entire season with an injury leading papers to give him a new name “Phil Ouch”. The Giants would get off to a 0-2 start before a two month player’s strike interrupted the season. When the season resumed, the Giants would lose again, and would enter a Thanksgiving match up with the Lions. With the game tied lat Lawrence Taylor would return an interception 97 yards for a Touchdown. The win was the catalyst for a second straight Defensive Player of the Year for LT. It also served as a catalyst for the Giants who would go on a three game winning streak. However the Giants would go on to lose two of their final three to finish at 4-5, which left them a tiebreaker away from the postseason. Shortly after the season Giants Coach Ray Perkins resigned to take the head-coaching job at the University of Alabama.

1983:

To replace Perkins the Giants promoted Defensive Coordinator to head Coach Bill Parcells to Head Coach. However in his first season Parcells looked over matched as the Giants struggled on both sides of the ball finishing with a woeful 3-12-1 record. General Manager George Young considered firing the Parcells, but after much consideration decided to give the young coach another year.

1984:

With Phil Simms regaining the starting Quarterback job and passing for 4,044 yards the Giants showed marked improvement finishing 9-7, and earning a playoff spot thanks tie-breaker. In the Wild Card Game the Giants clamped down on Running Back Eric Dickerson who set the single season rushing record, while holding the Rams to ten points. The Giants would win the game 16-10 in Los Angeles thanks in part to three Field Goals by Ali Haji-Skeeikh, who had struggled all season, but performed at his best in the season’s biggest game. In the second round the Giants found themselves in the way of another Championship run by the 49ers, and fell 21-10 in San Francisco.

1985:

The Giants improvement continues as the team finds a star in Running Back Joe Morris, who scores 21 Touchdowns. Lawrence Taylor also continues to establish himself as the most intimidating force in the game, a reputation that is amplified with the horrific injury to Redskins Quarterback Joe Theisman. The Giants make the playoffs again with a 10-6 record, and host their first home playoff game in 23 years. In the Wild Card Game the Giants defense would smother the 49ers n the first Giants playoff game played at the Meadowlands as the G-men advanced to the second Round with a 17-3 win. However, in the next round the Giants found themselves overmatched again, as the powerful Chicago Bears beat the Giants 21-0 on the way to a Super Bowl Championship.

1986:

After the harsh end to 1985 in Chicago the Giants were on a mission in 1986. However, the season would get off to a rough start as they fell in the Monday Night season opener in Dallas 31-28, as Running Back Hershel Walker made an impressive NFL debut with Cowboys. The Giants would go on to win their next five games before losing to the Seahawks in Seattle. At 5-2 the Giants stood in a three way tie for he NFC East lead entering a key Monday Night Match up with Washington Redskins at the Meadowlands, before a distracted home crowd who was keeping one eye on the New York Mets playing in Game 7 in the World Series. The Giants beat the Redskins 27-20, while the crowd chanted “Lets Go Mets.” The following week the Giants would beat the Cowboys in the Meadowlands 17-14 a loss that would send the Cowboys into a tailspin, as the Giants dfense knocked around Cowboys Quarterback Danny White. The Giants would play solid football, but found themselves behind the eight-ball late in a game in Minnesota against the Vikings. However, Phil Simms, who had struggled most of the season would come of age and set the Giants up for a dramatic Game Winning Field Goal by Raul Alegree. The Giants would face another crucial moment in a Monday Night Match up in San Francisco. The 49ers would take a 17-0 lead, but the dominant Giants would fight back thanks to the inspirational play of Tight End Mark Bavaro who dragged several 49ers defenders on his back for a key first down in the Giants 21-17 victory. The Giants would go on to finish with a 14-2, as the road comebacks proved to be key in that the Giants got Home Field through out the playoffs thanks to a tie-breaker. Lawrence Taylor would make history by winning the Defensive Player of the Year for a third time. In addition LT would become the first defender in 15 years to win the NFL MVP. The Giants would face the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. The game would be no contest as the Giants bruised, battered and down right embarrassed the 49ers 49-3. Not even Joe Montana was immune getting knocked unconscious by Jim Burt on a pass that was intercepted and returned for a Touchdown by Lawrence Taylor. The Giants would go on to face the Redskins in the NFC Championship Game played in a frigid windy Giants Stadium. A sold-out crowd would watch frozen to their seats as the Big Blue Wrecking Crew smothered the Redskins 17-0 along the way giving another Quarterback Jay Schroeder a concussion.

Super Bowl XXI:

Pasadena, CA might as well been East Rutherford, NJ as Giants fans filled the Rose Bowl for Super Bowl XXI. The Giants were big favorites over the Denver Broncos, but went into halftime trailing 10-9. However, the Giants would come storming out in the second half and would score 24 unanswered points to crush the Broncos hopes. Phil Simms who completed his journey from “Phil Who”, to “Phil Boo” to “Phil Ouch”, was now “Phil Hero” was named MVP by a record 88% of his passes. The turning point would come on a fake punt, as back Quarterback Jeff Rutledge got a key first down on the go ahead scoring drive. With the game settled at 39-20 only one mystery remained when would Bill Parcells get his Gatorade Bath? Throughout the season Giants Defensive End Harry Carson would dunk Parcells after each win was in hand, at first Parcells was less than amused, but after the Giants got on a roll it would become a ritual. As time winded down Carson, who suffered through some of the Giants darkest years, disguised himself in a security jacket snuck up behind Parcells and splashed the Giants coach to officially seal the victory.

1987:

Coming off the Super Bowl the Giants lost a much-hyped Monday Night Season opener in Chicago to the Bears. A week later the Giants would lose a heartbreaker to the Cowboys at the Meadowlands, which put the Giants at 0-2, when the Player’s Strike began. After a week off the NFL resumed play with replacement players. The Giants would field one of the worst replacement teams going 0-3, and dooming their playoff hopes at 0-5 when the regular players returned from the picket lines. The regulars would play solid football down the stretch winning six of ten games, but with a disappointing 6-9 record the playoff were well out of reach, as the Giants went form the Super Bowl to last place.

1988:

The Giants get off to a 2-2 start as Lawrence Taylor sat out the first four games on a drug suspension. When LT returned the Giants would catch fire, and would enter a season finale against the New York Jets with a 10-5 record, needing a win for the NFC East Title. However, the Jets would stun their landlords with a 27-21 win that not only knocked the Giants out of firs, but completely out of the playoffs.

1989:

The Giants reclaim the NFC East title with an impressive 12-4 record that was good enough t get the Giants the number two seed in the NFC Playoffs. However, the Giants would fall in divisional Round to the Los Angeles Rams 19-13, on a long Jim Everett to Flipper Anderson pass in Overtime, before a stunned crowd at Giants Stadium.

1990:

The Giants jump out of the gate quickly winning their first 11 games to take a stranglehold on the NFC East. The win streak would end in Philadelphia as the Giants and 49ers both lost their first games a week before what would have been a December math up of undefeated teams on Monday Night in San Francisco. The Giants would go on to lose that game too, and began to look like a team with allot of faults. After a home win over the Vikings, the Giants found themselves in another marquee match up with Buffalo Bills. In a Saturday game played in freezing rain at Giants Stadium the Giants would fall 17-13 as Quarterback Phil Simms suffered a season ending foot injury. The Giants would go on to win the final two games of the season with backup Quarterback Jeff Hostetler. Back up Quarterback Jeff Hostetler played solid football in the Giants final two regular season games, but without Phil Simms how far could they make it in the playoffs? The Giants would not have to test that theory in the Divisional Round as the defense held the Chicago Bears to three points, as the Giants advanced to the NFC Championship with a 31-3 win at the Meadowlands. The Giants would face the 49ers, who were seeking their third straight Super Bowl Championship in San Francisco. The 49ers would not allow the Giants to reach the endzone, but Kicker Matt Bahr kept the Giants in the game while the defense held the 49ers to 13 points, while knocking Joe Montana out of the game. The Giants would draw to within one point after a fake punt was run by Linebacker Gary Reasons. With time winding down the Giants defense would step up big again and strip Running Back Roger Craig of the football to give the G-men the ball. The Giants would set up Kicker Matt Bahr in Field Goal range with three seconds left. Bahr would nail the 42-yard Field Goal to give the Giants a 15-13 win, and a trip to the Silver Anniversary Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XXV:

In the Super Bowl played in Tampa, FL the Giants would face the high octane Buffalo Bills. Without Phil Simms the Giants were heavy underdogs in the Super Bowl that was played against a patriotic backdrop because of Operation Desert Storm. The greatest Super Bowl ever played began with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by New Jersey Native Whitney Houston. The Bills would jump out to a quick 12-3 lead, as the Giants were in trouble of being caught in a Buffalo stampede. Bill Parcells knowing the Bills offense was hard to contain would have the Giants play a methodic ball control game the rest of the way, and closed the gap to 12-10 with a long Touchdown drive to close out the first half. The Giants would then go on another long methodical drive, which lasted more than 10 minutes to take a 17-12 lead. The Bills would re take the lead on a Touchdown run by Thurman Thomas on the first play of the 4th Quarter, but the Giants kept driving keeping the Bills offense on the sidelines, as they retook the lead 20-19. The Giants would establish a Super Bowl record 40:33 time of possession, but the Bills would have the ball with a chance to win the game. Quarterback Jim Kelly would get the Bills into position for a Scott Norwood Field Goal with ten seconds remaining. Norwood would hit the 47-yard attempt flush, but as it approached the goal posts it sailed wide right giving the Giants their second Super Bowl Championship.

1991:

Five months after the Super Bowl Bill Parcells stuns the team by resigning after seven seasons at the helm. With the announcement so late after the season, and the Giants top two assistants taking jobs elsewhere, the Giants were forced to settle on Running Back Coach Ray Handley. Handley was over his head from the start as he was thrown into the fire of a preseason Quarterback controversy. Should Phil Simms get his job back? Should Jeff Hostetler be given the job for his post-season performance? Eventually “Hoss” would win the starting job. The Giants would win their first game, but would struggle in the ensuing weeks, and stood at 6-6 when the Quarterback Controversy raised its ugly head again. In a win in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers Hostetler sustained an injury leading Phil Simms to get his job back, but in a following press conference Ray Handley would show how ill-suited for the job he was when he stormed out at a reporter’s question about the Quarterback situation. The Giants would lose three straight games before finishing at 8-8, missing out on the playoffs.

1992:

The problems of Head Coach continue as the Giants continue to play terrible football. As the season wore on it was more and more apparent that Handley’s days as coach were numbered, as the Giants would finish the season with a woeful 6-10 record.

1993:

The Giants would hire Dan Reeves, who led the Denver Broncos to three Super Bowls as their new head coach. With Jeff Hosteller gone the starting Quarterback job was back in Phil Simms hands as the Giants ended one of the ugliest Quarterback Controversies in recent history. The Giants would return to their playoff form and would stand in first place with two weeks remaining at 11-3. However, a bad loss to the Arizona Cardinals and a heartbreaking Overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys at home cost the Giants the NFC East title. The Giants would however, earn a wild card home game and would beat the Minnesota Vikings 17-10 on a frigid afternoon at Giants Stadium. However, the Giants season would end a week later with a 44-3 thrashing at the hands of the 49ers in San Francisco.

1994:

The 1993 Playoffs would mark the end of an era for the Giants as Lawrence Taylor; one of the most dominating defenders in NFL history called it a career after 13 seasons. The Giants would then go on to stun their fans in June by unceremoniously releasing Quarterback Phil Simms after 15 years to make room for third year Quarterback Dave Brown. Brown would get off to a good start winning his first three games, but it was followed by a seven game losing streak that all but doomed their playoff hopes. However, Brown and the Giants would make a valiant comeback winning their last six games to finish 9-7, which left them just short of the postseason.

1995:

The Giants season got off on the wrong foot, as they were thrashed at home 35-0 by the Dallas Cowboys in the Monday Night season opener, spoiling a halftime ceremonies where the famous number 56 of Lawrence Taylor was retired. The Giants would go on to finish the season with a terrible 5-11 record, as their season ended with the franchise getting a black eye as fans pelted the San Diego Chargers with ice balls from snow under the seats knocking out a San Diego Chargers assistant coach.

1996:

In his third year as starting Quarterabck Dave Brown continued to struggle, as the Giants suffered through a 6-10 season that would claim the job of Head Coach Dan Reeves, who just came into the fold at the wrong time.

1997:

Under new Coach Jim Fassel the Giants get off to a another shaky start losing three of their first four games, in an attempt to change the fortunes of his team around Quarterback Dave Brown is benched in favor of second year Quarterback Danny Kannell. Although Kannell did not perform much better the Giants fortunes changed as Defensive End Michael Strahan came of age as a leader on the defense. The Giants would go on to finish with a 10-5-1 record, while not losing a single division game n the way to an NFC East Title. The third seeded the Giants would go on to face the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round. The Giants would hold a 22-13 lead with four minutes left in a game played in snowy Meadowlands. However, the Vikings would drive up the field as eth Giants defense would start fighting amongst themselves. After a Vikings Touchdown, the Giants would fail to pick up the onside kick setting leading to a game winning Field Goal that would stun the Giants 23-22.

1998:

Quarterback Danny Kannell would struggle miserably in his first full season with starting job. Kannell would eventually lose his starting job to Kent Graham as the Giants need a four game winning streak to close out the season with an 8-8 record.

1999:

The Giants instability as Quarterback continues as Kerry Collins gets the job away from Kent Graham. The Giants also suffer with inconstancy as they lose their final three games to finish with a 7-9 record.

2000:

Picked by most experts to finish in last place at the start of the season the Giants took the field with a throwback uniform, and Kerry Collins firmly entrenched at Quarterback. The Giants get off to a good start winning seven of their first nine games to stand in first Place. However, two straight home losses had many questioning weather the Giants were for real. An irate Jim Fassel would declare in inequitable turns “The Giants were going to make the playoffs.” Those words seemed to inspire the Giants who went on a season ending 5 game winning streak that not only put them in the playoffs, but also gave them home field advantage with a 12-4 record. As the Giants moved on the playoffs people continued to doubt their legitimacy, declaring them “The worst top seed ever”. The Giants would face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round, and would pull away in the 3rd Quarter thanks to a spectacular interception catch and return by Defensive Back Jason Sehorn. After dispatching the Eagles the Giants were matched up against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship. The Giants were still receiving no respect, as the Vikings were favored to win the game. However, the Giants quickly jumped on the Vikings taking a 14-0 lead less then five minutes into the game, the shell-shocked Vikings never recovered as the Giants advanced to the Super Bowl with a 41-0 victory. After the game Owner Wellington Mara publicly mocked the experts calling the Giants the worst top seed ever.

Super Bowl XXXV:

Back in Tampa ten years later the Giants were matched up against the smothering defense of the Baltimore Ravens in the 35th Super Bowl. The Ravens would take a 10-0 lead into halftime, as the Giants could not do anything on offense. The Ravens were in danger of pulling away after a 49-yard Interception return by Duane Starks gave the Ravens a 17-0 lead, but the Giants would quickly get back into the game on a 97-yard Kickoff return by Ron Dixon. However, the reprieve was short lived as the Ravens answered the kick return with one of their own by Jermaine Lewis that gave Baltimore a 24-7 lead on the way to a 34-7 win.

2001:

The Giants would get off to a 3-1 start as Defensive End Michael Strahan was making a serious run at the single season sack record of 22. However, two consecutive onepoint losses to the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles would send the Giants into a tailspin. Jim Fassel tried to repeat his playoff guarantee of the year before but bad penalties, and poor special teams play put the Giants into a 5-7 hole. However, the Giants would win their next two games to enter a game with Eagles in Philadelphia with a chance to still win the division. The Giants would lead the Eagles 21-14 late, but ten quick points in the final two minutes had the Giants down 24-21 with three seconds remaining. The Giants needing a miracle almost scored on an 80-yard hook and lateral, but Ron Dixon was tackled three yards short of a miracle. The Giants would go on to finish with a 7-9 record, but Strahan would get his record, with a questionable sack of Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre in the final game of the season.

2002:

Trough most of the season the Giants played inconsistent football with frustrating losses to the last place Arizona Cardinals and expansion Houston Texans. After a heartbreaking home loss against the Tennessee Titans in which the Giants led by eight points in the final seconds most had given up on the Giants as they were straddled with a mediocre 6-6 record, needing to win the rest of their games to have any hope of making the playoffs. However the Giants offense would catch fire scoring 108 points in their next three games as they entered the final week of the season with a record of 9-6 needing to win their final game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Meadowlands to make the playoffs. With Tiki Barber rushing for a career high 203 yards the Giants would get that win 10-7 in overtime. With a record of 10-6 the Giants were rolling as Quarterabck Kerry Collins passed for 4,073 yards with super rookie Tight End Jeremy Shockey becoming an instant fan favorite. In the playoffs the Giants offense continued to roll as they jumped out to a 38-14 lead in the 3rd Quarter on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the Giants would suddenly unravel as the 49ers scored 25 unanswered points to take a 39-38 lead in the 4th Quarter. Despite the collapse the Giants would still have an opportunity to win the game as they set up for a game winning 38-yard field goal. However, the special teams’ troubles that plagued them all year rose up again as long snapper Trey Junkin who was signed just for the playoffs snap was low forcing holder Matt Allen to try a desperate pass, which landed incomplete, when Guard Rich Seaubert was yanked to the ground. In the chaos the officials failed to realize Seaubert was eligible and the Giants should have had another play, as the NFL sent the team a letter of apology that made the stunning loss feel even worse for Giants fans.

2003:

The Giants kicked off their season on a positive note as their defense harassed St. Louis Rams Quarterback Kurt Warner all day forcing six fumbles while sacking him six times and adding an interception in an impressive 23-13 win. However, the following week their specials teams failed them as the Giants 18-point 4th Quarter was all for naught after Matt Bryant’s kickoff sailed out of bounds allowing the Cowboys to quickly get in Field Goal range for a tying field goal at the end of regulation. In overtime the Giants would fall 35-32. After rebounding to beat the Washington Redskins in overtime the offense faltered in their next three games which they all lost. The Giants slump would come to an end in Minnesota as the Giants beat an undefeated Vikings team 29-17. A week late the Giants faced off with the New York Jets for city and stadium bragging rights, with the specter that the loser’s playoff hopes would go on life support. In perhaps the most exciting Giants-Jets game as it went a full 15-minute overtime period before Brett Conway playing for an injured Matt Bryant nailed the game winner from 29 yards out. At 4-4 with two straight wins the Giants season appeared back on track as they faced the 1-7 Atlanta Falcons at home. However, the Giants put forth one of their worst efforts in recent years turning the ball over four times in a listless 27-7 loss before a booing crowd at Giants Stadium. Following the game Coach Jim Fassel was heard audibly yelling at his team “Are you trying to get me fired?” From there things would only get worse as the Giants would not win another game losing their final eight games to finish with a league worst 4-12 record. Even worse was the fact in seven of the eight losses were by more 13 points or more. Following the season in which the Giants appeared to quit midway through Jim Fassel was in fact fired, as the team began a major shake up that also saw them trade up to obtain the top overall pick which they used on Quarterback Eli Manning, whose rich bloodlines include his father Archie a former All-Pro Quarterback and brother Peyton the league’s 2003 Co-MVP.

2004:

With new Coach Tom Coughlin the Giants began a new era on a sour note losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 on the road 31-17 as former MVP Kurt Warner started the season with Rookie Quarertback Eli Manning watching from the sidelines. However, the Giants would play well over the next few weeks winning their next four games on the way to a solid 5-2 start. However, in Week 9 the Giants played sloppy football with five turnovers in a stunning 28-21 home loss to the Chicago Bears. A Week later the Giants offense struggled again in a 17-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, leading to the benching of Warner as Eli Manning was thrown into the starting role. However, Manning was clearly not ready as he was prone to interception and mistakes while having trouble hitting the Giants receivers as the Giants lost their first six games with Manning at the helm losing eight straight games overall. Hoping to end the season on a good note Eli Manning would have his best game in the final game of the season with three Touchdown passes in a 28-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys, as the Giants finished with a 6-10 record. One bright spot came from Tiki Barber, who rushed for a career high 1,518 yards with 15 Touchdowns, as he added 578 receiving yards for an impressive 2,096 All-Purpose yards while avoiding many of the fumble problems that had plagued his career.

2005:

In his second season the Giants hoped Eli Manning could grow into a top notch starting Quarterback, as they signed Free Agent Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress to give him a tall downfield threat. In Game 1 though it was the special teams that helped make the difference as Willie Ponder returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD and Char Morton returned a punt 52 yards for a Touchdown in a 42-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Due to Hurricane Katrina the Giants were able to get an extra game at Giants Stadium as they played a special Monday Night “road game” in the Meadowlands. The Giants would take full advantage and improved to 2-0 with a 27-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. Week 3 would be a test as the Giants hit the road, with Eli Manning in the center of a storm as the Giants traveled to San Diego to face the Chargers, whom Eli stated he would not play for when they drafted him number one overall and traded him to the Giants. With the fans raining boos on Manning, Eli was able to show allot of maturity playing well while passing for 352 yards. However, the Giants defense didn’t fare as well as the Chargers won the game 45-23. Back home a week later the Giants rebounded nicely, beating the St. Louis Rams 44-24. After an overtime loss on the road to the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants appeared to be heading for a second straight loss as they trailed the Denver Broncos 23-10 in the 4th Quarter. After a Tiki Barber Touchdown run cut the deficit to six points early in the 4th, the Giants offense seemed stalled until they got the ball in the final two minutes as Eli Manning drove the Giants 83 yards hitting Amani Toomer on a perfect Touchdwon pass with five seconds left to give the Giants a dramatic 24-23 win. That game would be the final game Wellington Mara would see, as the man who was on the sideline as a ball boy in the Giants first game in 1925, before joining his father as a co-owner at the age of 14 in 1930, passed away just two days later at the age of 89. The Giants would dedicate their next game against the Washington Redskins to him, and played inspired winning 36-0. The Giants would suffer more heartache later in the season as Robert Tisch who owned the other 50% of the team also passed away, but it would not effect the team on the field as the Giants went to win the NFC East with a solid 11-5 record, as Tiki Barber set a team record with a 1,850 rushing yards while Eli Manning passed for 3,762 yards with 24 Touchdown passes. However, in the playoffs the Giants would come up shooting blank as everyone played poorly as they were embarrassed and blanked by the Carolina Panthers at home 23-0.

2006:

The season started off with a media circus surrounding the so-called “Manning Bowl” as Eli faced off against his older brother Peyton as the Giants faced the Indianapolis Colts in a Prime Time showdown. Eli would hold his own, with 276 yards passing and two touchdowns, but the Colts would win the game 26-21. A week later Eli Manning was even better passing for 371 yards and three touchdowns as the Giants rallied from a 17-point deficit in the 4th Quarter, to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, in overtime 30-24 on a 31-yard Touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress. Manning would have another strong 4th Quarter a week later leading the Giants to 27 points on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, however the deficit was too larger to overcome as the Seahawks won 42-30. Following the bye week, which was turbulent, as Jeremy Shockey criticized Coach Tom Coughlin, while news leaked that Tiki Barber would retire the Giants came out smoking beating the Washington Redskins 19-3 to start a five game winning streak. However as the streak wound down the Giants injuries began to mount with Free Agent acquisition Linebacker LeVar Arrington missing the final ten games, while Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Michael Strahan soon joined him on the sidelines. Also missing half the season was Amani Toomer, who Eli Manning would sorely missed as Plaxico Burress had trouble getting open the final half of the season. After losing two straight to the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars the Giants appeared to be getting back on track as they led the Tennessee Titans 21-0 in the 4th Quarter. However, a key personal 4th down foul penalty on Frank Walker for a late hit out of bounds on Vince Young gave the Titans new life, as they rallied to tie the game with 44 seconds left. Things went form bad to worse, as Eli Manning tried to force a pass down the field, and was picked off by Pacman Jones, who set the Titans up for a game winning 49-yard Field Goal with 6 seconds left. A week later the Giants would return home and lose again on a last second field goal as the Giants hopes for a division title slipped away in a 23-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at home. The four game losing streak would finally end the following week as the Giants took advantage of a Carolina Panthers team playing with a back up Quarterback to win 27-13. The Giants though would continue to struggle as they fell below .500 with losses to the Eagles and New Orleans Saints. However, despite the terrible stretch the Giants could still make the playoffs by winning their last game on the road against the Washington Redskins. Not wanting his career to end on such a bad note, Tiki Barber rushed for a team record 234 yards with three Touchdowns, single handily led the way as the Giants won 34-28 to finish with an 8-8 record and slip into the playoffs. In the Wild Card round the Giants would face the Eagles for the third time. Much like their first meeting in Philadelphia the Giants trailed entering the 4th Quarter 20-10; however they would battle back tying the game with a little over five minutes remaining on an 11-yard pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress. However, there would be no overtime win this time around, as the Eagles drove down the field to set David Akers up for 38-yard Field Goal that gave the Eagles a 24-21 win as time expired. The Giants season would end in heartbreak as Tiki Barber the team’s MVP retired to pursue a career in television after ten years, later saying it was Coach Tom Coughlin, and the atmosphere in the locker that made him retire.

2007:

When the Giants season began there was not much optimism, even from the most ardent supporter of Big Blue. The team was in absolute chaos, a new General Manager Jerry Reese, and the belief that Tom Coughlin was a lame duck coach, as former Giant Tiki Barber ripped him openly in a book and with his new television job. While Eli Manning appeared to be on the road to bustville, as Barber also openly questioned his heart and leadership ability. Then there was the Michael Strahan situation, as the Giants star Defensive End began training camp uncommitted to returning for a 15th season, as he missed all of the pre-season. Before the season started Strahan finally returned as fans crossed their fingers and hoped the Giants would be better then expected. However, when the season started the dire predictions looked to be coming true as the Giants got off to an awful start as their defense looked like Swiss cheese in a 45-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, which was followed up by a 35-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the home opener. In Week 3 the Giants continued to look like a bad team as they trailed the Washington Redskins at halftime 17-3. With Ruben Droughens leading the way and the Giants defense holding the Redskins to 85 yards in the second half the Giants would stage a 4th Quarter comeback as they clinched victory with an impressive goaline stand. The win would be a turning point for the Giants defense, as the unit that looked like Swiss Cheese in Week 1 looked like the Big Blue Wrecking Crew of the 80’s as they sacked Donovan McNabb 12 times, with Osi Umenyiora leading the was with six as the Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles 16-3. The following week the Giants winning streak increased to three as they beat the Jets in the battle of New York 35-24, with Eli Manning connecting with Plaxico Burress for the go ahead Touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Giants win streak would increase to five, as they had easy wins over the lowly Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. Week 8 would see another lowly opponent for the Giants as they faced the Miami Dolphins. However, they had to fly over 3,000 miles to play the first regular season game in Europe. The weather was tough and slippery at London’s Wimberley Stadium as Eli Manning was limited to 59-yards. However, the Giants defense shutdown the Dolphins as the Giants escaped with a 13-10 win over the winless Dolphins. After a bye week the Giants had a chance to avenge their Week 1 loss and claim first place as they hosted the Cowboys. However, their defense was exposed by Tony Romo again as their six game winning streak ended with a 31-20 loss. The Giants would alternate wins and losses over the next few weeks as they picked up big wins on the road, and played disappointing football at home, including an ugly 41-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, where Eli Manning threw four interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. The Giants would clinch a playoff spot in the next to last game of the season as they used the big play to stun the Bills 38-21 on a blustery day in Buffalo, as they Ahmad Bradshaw’s 88 yard run in the snow followed by Corey Webster’s 34-yard interception return singled great things ahead. Those great things would not manifest themselves in the regular season finale as they faced the 15-0 New England Patriots. The game meant nothing to the Giants, but they played with integrity and decided to play their regulars the entire game in order to prevent the Pats from making history. The Giants would give the Patriots all they could handle as Eli Manning had a strong game with four touchdown passes. However, in the end the Pats record breaking offense was too strong as they finished the season 16-0 by beating the Giants 38-35.

2007 Playoffs:

As the fifth seed the Giants road to the Super Bowl was away from Giants Stadium, and for them that was a good thing, as they had not lost on the road since Week 1, while they posted a 3-5 record at home on the way to a 10-6 record. The Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers approached their Wild Card match up in different directions, as the Giants played the final week of the season to win, the Buccaneers played not to get hurt and rested many of their starters. In a battle of differing philosophies it appeared Coach Tom Coughlin’s decision to play hard the final week paid off, as the Bucs appeared out of sync, despite a Touchdown on the first possession. The Bucs would not score again, until late in the fourth quarter as the Giants controlled the game and continued their road winning streak with a 24-14 win. The win set up a rematch with the Dallas Cowboys, at the site of the Week 1 loss. In the regular season the Cowboys had easily beaten the Giants twice, as the Giants defense seemed to have no answer for Tony Romo. However, Romo found love since the Giants last played the Cowboys, and while the Giants were focused on football the Cowboys, almost laughing off the Giants as insignificant vacationed during their first round playoff bye, with Tony Romo taking a much publicized trip to Mexico with girlfriend Jessica Simpson. From the start it was easy to tell that this game would be different for the Giants as their defense pressured Romo all day, as the game went into halftime tied 14-14, with Eli Manning connecting with Amani Toomer for two big touchdown passes; (a 52-yarder in the first quarter and a short four yard pass with seven seconds left in the first half). In the second half the Giants defense got even tougher harassing and rushing Romo who had a disappointing game completing just 50% of his passes, while keeping Terrell Owens under control. The Giants battling defense would final get paid off, as Brandon Jacobs’ one yard Touchdown plunge gave them a 21-17 lead in the fourth quarter. From their it would be all defense as Romo attempted to lead a game winning Touchdown drive in the final minute, as R.W. McQuarters clinched victory for the Giants by stepping in front of Terry Glenn for an interception in the endzone. The win sent the Giants to the NFC Championship Game where they faced the Green Bay Packers, and sub zero temperatures. However, it was not the Giants who looked cold on the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field it was the Packers as the Giants defense continued to pressure and harass Quarterbacks as they hit Brett Favre all day. The lone blemish against the Giants defense came in the second quarter as they allowed Favre to find Donald Driver on a 90-yard Touchdown Pass, which gave the Packers a 10-6 halftime lead. In the second half the Giants would take control as they took the lead on another Touchdown plunge from Brandon Jacobs. After the Packers retook the lead the Giants recovered behind rookie Running Back Ahmed Bradshaw who had a chunk of his helmet chip off on a scoring drive that game the Giants a 20-17 lead. The Giants defense continued to harass Favre in the fourth quarter as he was picked off by R.W. McQuarters. However, McQuarters during the run back fumbled the ball giving the Packers the ball back which allowed them to tie game 20-20. The Giants would have two chances to win the game before the end of regulation, but Lawrence Tynes missed two field goal attempts. However, the Giants defense continued to shutdown Brett Favre who appeared to be badly affected by the cold, while Eli Manning remained cool under pressure in the third coldest game in NFL history. One Giant who looked worst for ware as they game went to overtime was Coach Tom Coughlin whose face looked to be going through the early stages of frost bite. Overtime would not last long as Corey Webster picked off Favre to set up a third try for Tynes, who made the third time a charm as the Giants advanced to Super Bowl XLII with a dramatic 47-yard Field Goal that won the game 23-20.

Super Bowl XLII:

Once again the Giants stood in the way of history for the New England Patriots, who were attempting to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only team to have a Perfect Season. For the 10-6 Giants it was as if they were just at the coronation for the team labeled by ESPN “The Greatest Football Team of All-Time.” The Patriots had even trademarked the phrase 19-0. It was going to be cakewalk for the Patriots who entered the game as 12-point favorites. As for the Giants it had been a great run, Tom Coughlin had won over the team and his critics, Eli Manning had proven he was a good leader, and was not a bust, and Michael Strahan, who was playing in his final game had one more chance to win an elusive Super Bowl ring. Much like the early days of September expectations were low for the Giants, as fans merely wanted a good showing, truly not expecting a win. However, the Giants had a secret in the Week 17 meeting they were able to find weaknesses in the Patriots stellar offense and entered the game with a quiet confidence as they arrived in Glendale, AZ wearing black as a funeral for the Patriots perfection. The pressure was far from the Giants sideline, as they were playing with the house’s money. Getting the ball first the Giants took a page out of their Super Bowl XXV victory as they kept the Patriots offense off the field, holding the ball for the game’s first ten minutes. However, the Giants would only manage a 32-yard Field Goal by Lawrence Tynes. The Pats would not take long to answer back scoring a Touchdown on their first possession as Laurence Maroney scored from one yard out on the first play of the second quarter. That would be the last points scored for the next two quarters as the Giants defense kept the team in the game by keeping the Patriots under wraps, by pressuring MVP Tom Brady like he had not been pressured all season. The pressure came from all directions as Justin Tuck seemed to be on Brady’s back every play. In the fourth quarter the Giants offense began to find a grove as Eli Manning connected on a 45-yard pass to Rookie Tight End Kevin Boss, who established himself as a go to receiver during the playoff run, while playing for an injured Jeremy Shockey. A few plays later Manning connected with David Tyree to give the Giants a 10-7 lead. As the playoffs continued to be filled with unsung heroes for the Giants, as it was the first Touchdown scored by Tyree all season. The Giants defense would continue their harassment of Tom Brady, but the Pats MVP who had won the Super Bowl three times, continued his dazzling fourth quarter career giving the Patriots 14-10 lead with 2:42 left in the game. The game and the season would rest in Eli Manning’s hand, as his brother Peyton Super Bowl XLI’s MVP watched, from the stands, it would be Eli’s time to prove all his critics wrong. The drive started slow for the Giants as Manning’s first two passes landed incomplete. Needing a big play to keep the drive alive hit Amani Toomer to set up a fourth down and one play, which would be converted by Brandon Jacobs. After a five yard scramble and another incomplete pass the Giants faced another key third down at their own 44-yard line. The Patriost defense would bring the pressure and appeared to have Manning sacked, but Eli escaped and found David Tyree for a 32-yard pass into Patriots territory. The escape from Eli Manning was amazing, but the catch itself was even more spectacular as Tyree battling All-Pro Rodney Harrison pinned the ball to the back of his helmet to make the competition. It was reviewed by the officials, and ruled a catch, as suddenly it seemed something special was in the air. However, time was short and the Giants still needed 24 yards to win the game. After misfires on the next two plays it was another third down pass this time to Rookie Steve Smith that kept the drive alive. The next play would bring pay dirt as Manning found Plaxico Burress who was playing injured in the endzone for a Touchdown that gave the Giants a 17-14 lead with 39 seconds remaining. With Brady needing to heave the ball down the field the Giants defense continued to apply the pressure throwing the NFL MVP who set a single season record for touchdown passes for a ten yard loss, as another Rookie Jay Alford broke up the middle. With 19 seconds left the Pats now were stuck deep in their own territory as two prayers landed safely on the ground securing the Giants improbable Super Bowl win. For his clutch drive Eli Manning was named the Super Bowl MVP. Three days later the Giants returned to New York as they were given the ticker tape parade the city had refused to give them for their two other championships, while returning to the Meadowlands later that day to celebrate with their loyal fans in New Jersey, while somewhere in Miami the 1972 Dolphins popped champagne celebrating that they remained the only perfect team in NFL history.

2008:

Coming off their historic upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants hoped they could establish themselves a consistent Super Bowl contender. They were up against some bad history, as the Giants failed to make the playoffs in the season following their first three trips to the Super Bowl. Playing in the Thursday Night opener reserved for the Super Bowl Champion, the Giants started the season on the right foot beating the Washington Redskins 16-7, as they won their first four games. After a sloppy 35-14 Monday Night loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Giants quickly got back on track winning their next six games. During this winning streak the Giants recorded impressive road victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. At 10-1 the Giants looked to be on the road to a second straight Lombardi Trophy, when Plaxico Burress was lost for the season with a self inflicted gun shot wound to his thigh. Burress who caught the winning Touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, had gotten big money deal with the Giants, but continued to be a disciplinary problem, as he earned a suspension for their Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks, after continued tardiness to Giants practices and meetings. Burress was out of the rematch against the Redskins in Washington, but the Giants again did not miss a beat, improving to 11-1, and winning the NFC East with a solid 23-7 win. Burress’ wound would only be superficial, but it marked the end of his Giants career. As an investigation determined he had an unlicensed handgun that accidental went off when he tried to prevent it from slipping down his leg, as he attempted to put the gun in the waist band of his pocket-less sweatpants, while at a Manhattan Nightclub. Making matters worse, teammates Antonio Pierce and Ahmad Bradshaw were with him at the time, and also were investigated by New York Police, as Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged that Burress would serve prison time, and not receive special treatment. Despite returning the gun to Burress’ home in New Jersey, Pierce would not be charged, while Bradshaw who had a criminal record before his NFL career even began never faced any serious charges. The Giants would suspend Burress without pay the rest of the season and eventual release him, as New York strict guns laws eventually forced him to accept a two year prison sentence in a plea deal. Without Burress, the Giants moved on losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 in Week 13, a week later they would suffer a 20-8 loss on the road to the Dallas Cowboys, threatening their chances of winning home field. With playoff seeding on the line, the Giants hosted the Carolina Panthers in a key Sunday Night game. Trailing 21-10 late in the 2nd Quarter, the Giants began to claw their way back into the game as John Carney nailed a 35-yard Field Goal. After the Giants pulled within one point with a 3rd Quarter Touchdown by Kevin Boss, the Panthers extended the lead to eight points on a 30 yard Touchdown run by DeAngelo Williams. However, led by Derrick Ward who rushed for 215 yards the Giants, would force overtime, as Brandon Jacobs scored from one yard out with 3:21 left, tying the game on a two point conversion pass from Eli Manning to Domenik Hixon. In overtime it was Jacobs again scoring the winning Touchdown from two yards put to give the Giants home field in the playoffs and a 34-28 win. The Giants would finish the season with a 13-3 record, losing a meaningless game to the Minnesota Vikings 20-19 on a last second field goal from Ryan Longwell. In the playoffs the Giants would face the Philadelphia Eagles again when the loss of Plaxico Burress would catch up with them as the Giants struggled in the red zone, manning just three Field Goals in five trips inside the Eagles 20, while Donovan McNabb had a solid game leading the Eagles to a 23-11 victory to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

2009:

After the disappointing end of the season, the Giants said good bye to Plaxico Burress, who received a two year prison sentence for possession of a hand gun. Hoping to replace Burress the Giants selected Hakeem Nicks with the 29th pick in the NFL Draft. When the season started the Giants again looked like Super Bowl contenders as held off the Washington Redskins 23-17 to win the season opener at home before embarking on a three game road trip. The first game of the road trip saw the Giants spoil the opening of the Dallas Cowboys state of the art stadium, as Lawrence Tynes nailed a 37 yard Field Goal as time expired for a 33-31 win in primetime. However, the game at a price as pass rusher Justin Tuck suffered a sprain shoulder that would slow him the remainder of the season. The Giants also lost Safety Kenny Phillip for the season with a knee injury. The Giants would win the remaining two games of the road trip beating the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. Coming back to Giants Stadium the Giants continued to play well slamming the Oakland Raiders 44-7 to start the season 5-0. However, a week later in a battle of unbeaten teams the Giants were exposed, losing to the New Orleans Saints 48-27 on the road. A week later they suffered another setback, as Eli Manning was intercepted three times in a 24-17 primetime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Giants continued to struggle a week later, suffering a 40-17 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The loss had people questioning the Giants new Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan who replaced Steve Spagnuolo who left to become head coach of the St. Louis Rams. The losing streak would reach four games, when QB Phillip Rivers, whom the Giants traded to the San Diego Chargers for Eli Manning in the 2004 draft led an 80 yard to hit Vincent Jackson with a 18 game winning TD pass with 21 seconds left to give the Chargers a 21-20 win in the Meadowlands. The Giants defense would falter in the final minutes coming off the bye as the Atlanta Falcons scored with 35 seconds left to tie the game 31-31. The Giants would recover in overtime, as Lawrence Tynes nailed a game winning Field Goal from 45 yards out after the Giants won the coin toss. However, four days later the Giants again looked sloppy as they suffered a 26-6 loss to the Denver Broncos on Thanksgiving. At 6-5 the Giants suddenly needed a win to save their season. With another strong game from Eli Manning and a 70-yard punt return for a Touchdown by Domenik Hixon the Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys for the second time 31-24. However, their defense continued to struggle a week later as they lost a primetime shootout to the Philadelphia Eagles 45-38, as Eli Manning fumbled in the final minutes while trying to drive for the tying score. The Giants offense would continue to lead the way as they beat the Washington Redskins 41-9 on Monday Night Football. However, in the final game at Giants Stadium the Giants laid an egg with an embarrassing 41-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers, which all but ended their hopes for a return to the playoffs. A week later the Giants season would come to an end at 8-8 with another lackluster loss to the Minnesota Vikings 44-7, as they posted a terrible 3-8 record after starting 5-0. The season ending struggles would lead to the Giants again changing their Defensive Coordinator as Bill Sheridan was fired and replaced by Perry Fewell.

2010:

Sunset into sunrise, the Giants hosted the Carolina Panthers in the first regular season game at the New Meadowlands Stadium. When they last played the Panthers in their final game at Giants Stadium, the Giants had laid an egg, losing 41-9. This time it would be a different story as the Giants took a 14-9 lead late in the 2nd Quarter. However, the Panthers quickly went up the field and took a 16-14 lead at the half. Despite the letdown at the end of the half, the Giants would dominate the second half, with 17 unanswered points before the Panthers scored a safety late in the game, with Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks hooking up for three touchdowns. The Giants would win the game 31-18. The Giants would suffer a setback in their next two games, losing a Manning Brothers showdown on the road to the Indianapolis Colts 38-14, while they were manhandled by the Tennessee Titans at home 29-10. A week later on Sunday Night Football the Giants would unveil their ring of honor, as their defense came up huge in a 17-3 win over the Chicago Bears sacking Quarterback Jay Cutler nine times in the first half with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck both collecting three sacks. The win over the Bears would be the start of a five game winning streak. The streak would come to an end with a disappointing 33-20 loss to the reeling Dallas Cowboys, as Meadowlands Stadium suffered a blackout while the Giants as Eli Manning had a game to forget with an interception being run back 101 yards for a Touchdown by Bryan McCann in the 2nd Quarter. The Giants frustrations would continue a week later as they are beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17, losing their grip on first place. The Giants would win their next three games, and entered a re-match with the Eagles at the Meadowlands with a chance to take control of the NFC East. The game was all Giants as they jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead, and appeared to be in full control after Eli Manning threw an eight yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss to take a 31-10 lead with 8:17 left. The Giants defense however, would suffer a few lapses as the Eagles scored two touchdowns in two minutes surrounded around a successful on-side kick. With their lead shaved to 31-24, the Giants offense suddenly was unable to get going, as the Eagles got the ball back and tied the game 31-31 with 1:16 left. After the Giants went three and out they were forced to punt with 16 seconds left. The punt was poorly covered by the Giants as DeSean Jackson raced 65 yards and scored as time expired to give the Eagles a stunning 38-31 win. The loss put the Giants on their heels as they faced a must win on the road against the Green Bay Packers. Possibly still feeling the effects of the loss a week earlier the Giants played sloppy football, losing 45-17 with Eli Manning being picked off four times. The loss took playoff destiny out of the Giants hands, and eliminated their division title hopes. Needing a win and a Packers loss in the final week of the season the Giants would do their part, beating the Washington Redskins on the road 17-14. However, the Packers beat the Bears 10-3 and made the playoffs. The Packers would win the Super Bowl, as the Giants missed the playoffs despite a 10-6 record.

2011:

As the season began for the Giants there was plenty of turmoil as they lost several key players to free agency and were dealing with an unhappy Osi Umenyora who wanted a contract extension. In the season opener the Giants suffered a 28-14 loss to the Washington Redskins, as the Giants played poorly in all aspects of the game including a backbreaking interception returned nine yards for a touchdown. Just a few days before the game Eli Manning had place himself in the hot seat as he declared himself a “elite quarterback in the same class of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. A week later in their home opener, Eli and the Giants would rebound with a 28-16 win over the St. Louis Rams. In Week 3 in Philadelphia a star was born as Victor Cruz had two touchdown receptions including one that went 74 yards as the Giants drew first blood with their NFC East rivals, beating the Eagles 29-16. Trailing 20-10 to the Arizona Cardinals on the road, the Giants showed the ability to comeback in Week 4, as they rallied to win the game 31-27 as Hakeem Nicks had a break out game with 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Injuries on defense, would lead to a letdown a week later, as the Giants lost at home to the Seattle Seahawks 36-25, despite a 400 yard passing effort by Eli Manning. A week later the Giants would rebound with a 27-24 win over the Buffalo Bills, as Ahmad Bradshaw led the scoring with three one yard touchdown plunges. A surprise October snowstorm would not freeze out the Giants continued their strong start with a 20-17 win over the Miami Dolphins as Eli Manning had another solid game, passing for 349 yards with two touchdowns, including the game winner to Victor Cruz late in the fourth quarter. As November began the Giants would face their biggest test to date a game against the New England Patriots in Foxboro. It was the first regular season meeting the Giants upset win in Super Bowl XLII. After a scoreless first half the two teams traded punches, with the Patriots taking a 20-17 lead with 1:36 left. However, once again Eli showed perhaps he is an elite QB as he led the Giants 80 yards and found Jake Ballard in the endzone with 15 seconds left to give the Giants a 24-20 win. At 6-2 the Giants were atop the NFC East at the midpoint in the season, though they were mindful of their past second half failures. Over the next three weeks the Giants level of play would steadily decline, as they suffered frustrating losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, which was followed up by a humiliating loss on Monday Night to the New Orleans Saints as the Giants defense could not do anything to stop Drew Brees as the Saints won the game 49-24. Just six days late the Giants faced the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers who had gotten off to an 11-0 start. Eli Manning was at his best passing for 347 yards with three touchdowns. However, the Giants bruised and battered defense was lit up again, as the Packers won the game 38-35 on a Mason Crosby Field Goal as time expired. Sitting at 6-6 the Giants entered a Sunday Night match up with the Dallas Cowboys needing a miracle to save their season. Down 34-22 late in the fourth quarter, Eli Manning got the Giants back into the game with a touchdown pass to Jake Ballard. After Tony Romo missed Mile Austin on what would have been a game ending three down conversion, the Giants turned to Eli again, as he led the Giants down the field with Brandon Jacobs giving big blue the lead with 1:26 left. D.J. Ware would score on the two point try as the Giants 37-34 win was sealed as Jason-Pierre Paul blocked Dan Bailey’s attempt to tie the game and force overtime. Even as the Giants Defense struggled JPP became a star in his second season, recording two sacks including a safety against the Cowboys, while leading the team for the season with 16.5 sacks. However, just as they seemed to get back on their feet, the Giants put up a flat performance against the Washington Redskins, losing 23-10. On Christmas Eve the Giants faced their Met Life Roommates the New York Jets, in what was essentially a survival game for both teams. It was a Jets home and gang green had done plenty of talking on how it was their stadium and that they owned New York, they even went as far to cover up the Giants Super Bowl logos in the tunnel by the Giants locker. The Jets would hold a 7-3 lead late in the second quarter as the reeling Giants were backed up against their own goaline. With one pass, every thing changed as Eli Manning and Victor Cruz connected on a 99-yard Touchdown pass that gave the Giants a 10-7 halftime lead. The Giants would go on to win the game 29-14, setting up a Week 17 showdown with the Cowboys in which the winner would win the NFC East, while the loser went home. It was rather warm New Year’s Night at the Meadowlands, as the Giants got off to a 21-0 lead early with Eli Manning and Victor Cruz continuing to drive the Giants offense. The Giants would go on to win the game 31-14. While Eli Manning finished the season career high 4,933 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes, the best sign was that Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Jacobs who have struggled with nagging injuries looked healthy for the first time all season, while the Giants defense which at times was their Achilles Heel had become a strength as Osi Umenyora and Justin Tuck were finally healthy as the Giants went to the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

2011 Playoffs:

In the Wild Card Round the Giants hosted the Atlanta Falcons and began to look like the Big Blue of old, as the Giants defense held the Falcons to just 247 yards, most of which were gained late in the game as the Giants won easily 24-2, with Eli Manning’s 72 yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks breaking the game open in the third quarter. In the divisional round the Giants would face the Green Bay Packers, who finished the season at 15-1, they entered the game as 7.5 point underdogs. The Giants would dominate the game in the early going, taking a 20-10 lead into the half as Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks hooked up on two long touchdown receptions. The Giants would go on to win the game 37-20 as their defense continued to play solid football led by Michael Boley, who had eight tackles including two sacks. With memories of 1990 and 2007 in their minds, the Giants returned to Candlestick Park, where their November slide began with a chance to go to Super Bowl XLVII. On rainy day by the bay the 49ers got on the board first as Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis on a 73 yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. The Giants would bounce back in the second quarter, as they took a 10-7 lead into the half. However, Smith and Davis connected again as the 49ers held a 14-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Giants would catch a break when Kyle Williams muffed a Steve Weatherford punt. The Giants quickly took advantage as Eli Manning connected with Mario Manningham on 17 yard Touchdown pass that gave the Giants a 17-14 lead. The 49ers would bounce back and tie the game on a David Akers field goal to send the NFC Championship Game to overtime, just like 2007. In overtime, the big play was on the punting unit again, as Kyle Williams fumbled the ball deep in 49ers territory, as the Giants quickly went for the field goal which Lawrence Tynes nailed from 31 yards to give the Giants a 20-17 win, sending them to Super Bowl XLVI.

Super Bowl XLVI

: In the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, the Giants were once again matched up against the New England Patriots, as they sought to stun the world again by becoming the first 9-7 team to win the Lombardi Trophy. The Giants struck first as Tom Brady was called for grounding in the endzone, on the ensuing possession the Giants drove down the field with Eli Manning hooking up with Victor Cruz to give the Giants a 9-0 lead. However, the Patriots would strike back and score ten unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 10-9 lead into the half. The Patriots continued to roll in third quarter as they took the opening possession 79 yards with Tom Brady connecting with Aaron Hernandez to extend the lead to 17-9. However, the Giants managed to keep things close on two field goals by Lawrence Tynes as once again the game was going to be decided in the fourth quarter. The Patriots looked to pad the lead as the fourth quarter began. However, Chase Blackburn intercepted Tom Brady at the Giants eight yard line. Blackburn was a symbol of the Giants late season rise from the ashes. Following the 2010 season in which he was the Giants captain on special teams, the team decided not to re-sign him. Chase Blackburn remained unsigned until Week 13 when the Giants gave him a chance to return. Throughout the playoffs he played well and in the Super Bowl he had just made the biggest play so far. Besides his interception of Brady, Blackburn also had six tackles. The Patriots kept their poise and still had the lead late in the fourth quarter when Brady overthrew a wide open Wes Welker, on a play that would have surely sealed the title for New England. Once again it came down to the last possession with the ball in Eli Manning’s hands. Starting on their own 12 yard line the Giants drive to glory started when Eli Manning hit Mario Manningham on a 38 yard pass down the sideline. The drive would finish with 57 seconds left as Ahmad Bradshaw was allowed to score from one yard out, after the two point try failed, the Giants had less than a minute to protect a 21-17 lead. The Patriots would get the ball to midfield but Tom Brady’s HaiL Mary pass would fall harmlessly to the endzone, as the Giants were once again Super Bowl Champions. Earning MVP honors and joining rare company as a two time Super Bowl MVP was Eli Manning, who reminded everyone that you can’t spell elite with Eli.

2012:

Coming off their second Super Bowl Championship in four years, the Giants were flying high as they hosted the Dallas Cowboys in a Wednesday Night opener. However, an early fumble by rookie David Wilson set the tone, as the Cowboys spoiled the party at the Meadowlands with a 24-17 win. It marked the first time since 1999 the reigning Super Bowl champs lost their first game of the season. Turnovers continued to be a problem in Week 2, as Eli Manning was picked up off three times, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers built a 27-13 lead in the 3rd Quarter. The Giants would comeback as they scored 25 points in the 4th Quarter with Andre Brown scoring the winning Touchdown with 1:27 left in a 41-34 win. The Giants would play on Thursday Night for the second time in three games, four days later as the Giants defense picked off Cam Newton three times in an easy 36-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Giants would again play in primetime in Week 4 as they faced the Philadelphia Eagles. The game would be a back and forth affair as the Giants trailed 19-17 in the final seconds. The Giants would have a chance to win the game, but Lawrence Tynes 54 yard Field Goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired. After two road games, the Giants returned home and again got off to a slow start against the Cleveland Browns, who led 14-0 early in the 1st Quarter. However, the Giants would recover with 20 points in the 2nd Quarter to quickly take control on the way to a 41-27 win as Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 200 yards with a touchdown. The Giants would then play one of their strongest games of the year, as they beat the San Francisco 49ers 26-3 in a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, as the Giants defense picked off Alex Smith three times. After losing their first two division games, the Giants got on track in Week 7 with a 27-23 win over the Washington Redskins at Met Life Stadium. The Giants had struggled to maintain Redskins rookie Quarterback Robert Grifin III all day and trailed late in the 4th Quarter, when Eli Manning hocked up with Victor Cruz for a game winning 77 yard Touchdown pass. A week later on the road against the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants continued to find Cowboys Stadium to their liking as they led early 23-0 was Jason Pierra Paul returned an interception 28 yards. However, the Cowboys would come roaring back with 24 unanswered points of their own. The Giants would retake the lead in the 4th Quarter as Lawrence Tynes kicked two Field Goals. Late in the game it appeared as if the Cowboys had a last second win as Dez Bryant caught pass in the endzone. However, his hand land out of bounds and the pass was ruled incomplete as the Giants improved to 6-2 with a nerve wracking 29-24 win. In between the next game, the New York Metropolitan area would be hit with the worst natural disaster in its history as Hurricane Sandy created wide spread damage up and down the Jersey Shore, New York City and Long Island. Many Giants were personally affected with their homes damaged as power outages were widespread. Despite leading early, the Giants lacked a spark and energy as they lost at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-20. A week later things would not improve as Andy Dalton had four Touchdown passes to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 31-13 win over Big Blue. After entering the bye week at 6-4, looked as if they were back on track as Eli Manning had three touchdowns to lead the Giants to a 38-10 Sunday Night win over the Green Bay Packers. However, a week later they would suffer an agonizing one point loss to the Redskins 17-16 on Monday Night Football. David Wilson, the Giants first round pick who early in the season would struggle with holding on to the ball had a breakout performance in Week 14, collecting 227 return yards, highlighted by a 97 yard kickoff return, while also rushing for 100 yards highlighted by a 52 yard TD run as the Giants slammed the New Orleans Saints 52-27. However, in their next two games on the road the Giants suffered blowout losses to the Atlanta Falcons (34-0) and Baltimore Ravens (33-14), which would severely cripple their playoff hopes. The Giants would end the season on a strong note, with a 42-7 beat down of the Eagles at Met Life Stadium, as Eli Manning had five touchdowns. With the win the Giants would post a 9-7 record for the second straight season. However, this time it would not be enough to get into the playoffs.

2013:

After missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, the Giants began the season attempting to make it back to the Super Bowl, which was to be held at Met Life Stadium. The Giants started the season on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Like he did in his rookie season David Wilson committed a crucial early fumble to put the Giants in an early hole. However, the Giants managed to stay in the game, thanks to a70 yard Touchdown pass to from Eli Manning to Victor Cruz. Manning would also have his problems, with three interceptions, in the end the Giants made too many mistakes and lost for the first time in Dallas in five years 36-31. In the Giants home opener, Eli would face his older brother Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Eli would come up short again, falling to 0-3 against his brother as the Broncos won the game 41-23. The biggest worry for the Giants, was that Eli Manning again had problems with the interception, throwing four picks. The turnovers continued to mount for the Giants and Manning as they lost their next two games to the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs by a combined score of 69-7. Returning home to face the Philadelphia Eagles, Eli Manning was picked off three more times, as the Giants lost 36-21. Four days later, the Giants dropped to 0-6 for the first time in nearly 40 years, as Eli again threw three interceptions in a 27-21 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Giants would finally get their first win in Week 7 by beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 on Monday Night Football. Despite not throwing any interceptions, Eli Manning continued to struggle completing 23 of 39 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. The Giants would get a win the following week in one of the ugliest games ever played, as they beat the Eagles on the road 15-7, with Josh Brown providing the offense with five Field Goals at Lincoln Financial Field. The only points the Eagles scored came on a botched punt over the head of Steve Weatherford that was scooped up for an Eagles touchdown. Following their bye week, Eli Manning’s nightmarish season continued, as he completed just 12 of 22 passes for 140 yards, while having an interception returned for a touchdown. However, Cooper Taylor return a blocked punt for a touchdown, and Andre Brown having a big game with 115 yards running with a touchdown the Giants managed to edge the Oakland Raiders 24-20. The Giants would continue to claw their way back to .500 with a 27-13 win over the Green Bay Packers, as the Giants picked off Packers backup QB Scott Tolzien three times, highlighted by a 24 yard pick six by Jason Pierre-Paul that sealed the win in the fourth quarter. With a chance to get within one game of .500 the Giants hosted the Cowboys in Meadowlands. Like their season they dug a big hole early and trailed 21-6 in the third quarter. Eli Manning would lead the Giants back, with touchdown passes to Brandon Myers and Louis Murphy, adding a two point run by Andre Brown to even the score. However, the Cowboys would win the game 24-21 on a Dan Bailey Field Goal as time expired. The loss would all but end the Giants playoff hopes. Big Blue would bounce back with a Sunday Night win over the Washington Redskins, but could never make it to the .500 mark as they dropped their next two games to the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, with Manning continuing to struggle with interceptions, with five picks against the Seahawks in a 23-0 loss at home. The Giants would end the season with wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins. However, at 7-9 the season was a giant disappointment for Big Blue. Injuries played their fair share as Jason Pierre-Paul following off-season back surgery. The offensive line was also decimated by injury as All-Pro Guard Chris Snee suffered a career ending hip injury, The Giants would also see second year Running Back David Wilson their first round pick in 2012 career come to an end with a neck injury. Other players just had disappointing seasons, as Hakeem Nicks distracted by his pending free agency had a terrible season, dropping many passes while catching a just 56 passes for 896 yards, while failing to score any touchdowns. The biggest disappointment was the season of Eli Manning, who looked anything but an elite quarterback, with a career high 27 interceptions and just 18 touchdowns the lowest amount since his rookie season. Manning was sacked a career high 39 times and fumbled seven times.

2014:

Coming off a disappointing season, the New York Giants had a new offense as Ben McAdoo replace Kevin Gilbride. After struggling with the new system in the pre-season the Giants looked shaky early on as they suffered 35-14 loss to the Detroit Lions in their Monday Night opener. A week later in their home opener, the Giants did not look much better losing to the Arizona Cardinals 25-14, as they allowed 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The Giants offense finally got on track in Week 3, as Eli Manning passed for 234 yards, with two touchdowns during a 30-17 win over the Houston Texans. Four days later in a Thursday Night Game against the Washington Redskins on the road, Tight End Larry Donnell had a break out game, with three first half touchdowns in a 45-14 rout of the Redskins. First round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. who missed the first four games with a sore hamstring made his debut and caught four passes for 44 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown reception which gave Big Blue the lead during a 30-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Giants had hoped Beckham and Victor Cruz could open up the offense, but a week later they would find themselves without Cruz, as he suffered a torn patella tendon during a 27-0 Sunday Night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The loss to the Eagles would start a seven game losing streak for the Giants, ending their playoff hopes early once again. Despite the struggles a new hero emerged for the Giants, as Odell Beckham Jr. went on one of the greatest stretches ever for a receiver. Beckham tied the NFL record with nine straight games of 90 or more yards receiving. Odell Beckham finished his impressive rookie campaign with 91 receptions, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games. He’s the fourth rookie in NFL history to have 1,300+ receiving yards in a season, and the only rookie to have at least 90+ receptions and 10+ receiving touchdowns in a season, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, it was one catch that launched Odell Beckham Jr. into superstar status. Against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, while being interfered with Beckham made a one hand catch with three fingers while leaping backward into the end zone. Odell Beckham Jr. had 10 catches for 146 yards with two touchdowns, but the Cowboys won the game at the Meadowlands 31-28. Despite the loss, Beckham’s catch became the talk of the league, lighting up social media with stars around the world including LeBron James expressing amazement. The Giants losing streak would end two weeks later, as they hammered the Tennessee Titans 36-7, Beckham leading the way with 130 yards, and a touchdown. A week later, with Odell Beckham Jr. catching three touchdowns from Eli Manning, the Giants earned a second straight win against the Redskins 24-13. Eli Manning passed for 391 yards with three touchdowns, two of which were caught by Odell Beckham Jr. as the Giants defeated the St. Louis Rams 37-27. In the final game of the season that man Odell Beckham Jr. was at it again, with 12 receptions for 185 yards highlighted by a 63 yard TD catch from Eli Manning. Despite Beckham again having a big day the Giants would fall to the Philadelphia Eagles at home 34-26, finishing the season with a record of 6-10.

2015:

The Giants defense started the season shorthanded as Jason Pierre-Paul blew off two fingers in a Fourth of July fireworks accident. Kicking things off on the road in a Sunday Night Game against the Dallas Cowboys once again, the New York Giants appeared to be heading for a big win as they had the ball deep in Dallas territory holding in a three point lead in the final two minutes. However, some questionable play calling left the Giants settling for a Field Goal, while giving the Cowboys a chance to win the game. Which Dallas would as Jason Witten caught an 11-yard with seven seconds left to complete a 72-yard drive with 1:27 left and no timeouts to win the game 27-26. A week later in their home opener the Giants again let a game they controlled get away as the Atlanta Falcons scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win the game 24-20 making the Giants the first team in NFL history to blow double digit leads in their first two games. The Giants would earn their first win four days later as they beat the Washington Redskins 32-21.It was a complete team effort for Big Blue, as they scored in nearly every possible way beginning with Rashard Jennings punt block leading to a safety. A week later, the Giants improved to 2-2 with a 24-10 win over the Buffalo Bills as Eli Manning passed for 212 yards with three touchdowns. Returning home for a Sunday Night Game, Eli Manning had a career high 41 completions for 441 yards and three touchdowns as the Giants rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-27 as Larry Donnell caught a game winning pass with 21 seconds left, answering a go ahead score by the Niners with 1:45 left. A week later the Giants would suffer a major Monday Night letdown as they were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17, as Eli Manning struggled passing for 189 yards with two interceptions, including a pick six by Nolan Carroll. Returning home the Giants got a measure of revenge against the Cowboys, winning 27-20. The Giants got a pick six from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, while Dwayne Harris won the game with a 100-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. However, the Giants continued to struggle on defense and in the fourth quarter as they lost an old fashioned shoot out at the Superdome to the New Orleans Saints 52-49. Eli Manning passed for 350 yards with six touchdowns, but Drew Brees was even better passing for 505 yards with seven touchdowns. Questionable clock management again doomed the Giants as the Saints tied the game with 36 seconds left. Rather than play for overtime the Giants went three and out in 16 seconds. The Saints would return the punt deep into Giants territory as Kai Forbath won the game with a 50-yard Field Goal as time expired. After missing the first eight games, Jason Pierre-Paul made his season debut in Week 9 helping the Giants earn a 32-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A week later the Giants hosted the unbeaten New England Patriots and appeared to be on the verge of a thrilling win as Odell Beckham Jr. caught a go ahead touchdown pass with under two minutes left. However, replay ruled that Beckham did not complete the catch process as the Giants settled for a Josh Brown Field Goal to take a 26-24 lead with 1:47 left. The lead was not enough as Tom Brady drove the Patriots down the field as Stephen Gostkowski won the game 27-26 with a 54-yard Field Goal. Following the bye week the Giants dropped below .500 with a 20-14 loss to the Redskins. A week later the Giants let another game slip away in the fourth quarter as the New York Jets rallied to tie the game with ten unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The Jets would go on to win in overtime 23-20 on a Field Goal by Randy Bullock. The Giants would rebound the following week with a Monday Night road win against the Miami Dolphins, as Eli Manning had four touchdowns to win the game 31-24. A week later the Giants began to implode as the Carolina Panthers raced out to a 35-7 lead at the Meadowlands, with Odell Beckham Jr. committing three personal fouls that would lead to his suspension for Week 16. The Giants would make a late charge and tied the game, but the Panthers answered with a 43-yard Field Goal by Graham Gano to win the game 38-35 as time expired. The Giants would go on to lose their final two games to the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with a record of 6-10 as they missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season. A day after the season ended the New York Giants would relieve Tom Coughlin of his coaching duties, ending one of the most successful tenures in franchise history that was highlighted by two Super Bowl victories.

2016:

The New York Giants entered a new coach for the first time in more than a decade as former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo replaced Tom Coughlin. For the second straight season, the Giants opened the season at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys, this time the Giants would get the win 20-19 as the Cowboys were unable to get the field goal until on the field as time expired. In his first game in nearly two years Victor Cruz had four catches for 34 yards with a touchdown. The home opener was just as tight as the Giants beat the New Orleans Saints 16-13 with Josh Brown hitting a 23-yard field goal as time expired. A week later the Giants had a 2015 flashback as late mistakes cost them a win against the Washington Redskins at Metlife Stadium. The Redskins won the game 29-27, after the Giants at one time held a 21-9 lead. The game also brought out the worse in Odell Beckham Jr. who was seen fighting the kicker’s net as he was again frustrated by Josh Norman who signed with the Redskins in the off-season. A week later, on Monday Night Football, the Giants delivered a flat performance as they suffered a 24-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. They would not play much better in prime time a week later as they suffered a 23-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field to drop to 2-3 on Sunday Night Football. The reeling Giants returned home in Week 6 and found themselves down 10-0 after the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants would work their way back in the game, taking the lead on a 75-yard pass play from Eli Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. in the third quarter. After the Ravens regained the lead in the fourth quarter, Manning and Beckham connected for a 66-yard touchdown to win the game 27-23. Odell Beckham Jr. was the true star of the game, with eight catches for 222 yards and the two big touchdowns. A week later the Giants went to London for a game against the Los Angeles Rams. It was all defense for Big Blue, as they again overcame an early 10-0 hole to win 17-10. The Giants defense picked off Case Keenum four times, with two from Landon Collins, including a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown that turned the game around. Following the bye week, the Giants ended a frustrating string of losses against the Philadelphia Eagles, beating their rivals at Met Life Stadium for the first time since 2012 by a score of 28-23 as Eli Manning had four touchdown passes. Back on Monday Night Football, the Giants earned a fourth straight win as they edged the Cincinnati Bengals 21-20. The Giants had taken the lead early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown catch by Sterling Shepard. The Giants continued their winning streak in Week 11, as Shepard again scored a key touchdown to give the Giants a lead as they beat the Chicago Bears 22-16. Facing the winless Cleveland Browns, the Giants avoided a letdown by playing smart football, as Beckham had a pair of touchdown catches, while Jason Pierre-Paul returned a fumble 48 yards for a touchdown to win the game 27-13. The Giants six-game winning streak would end a week later, as their offense could not get any traction in a 24-14 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Giants returned home in Week 14 to take on the Dallas Cowboys a night showdown. The game was a defensive struggle from the start, as the Giants completely shut down the Cowboys offense to win the game 10-7. Nothing illustrated the Giants defensive effort more than Dez Bryant who had just one catch, which later fumbled forced by Janoris Jenkins to secure the Giants win in the fourth quarter. The Giants defense continued to excel the following week, as they beat the Detroit Lions 17-6 for their tenth win of the season. Four days later the Giants suffered a letdown that cost them a shot at the division title as they were beaten by the Eagles 19-10. The Giants would bounce back a week later to beat the Redskins 19-10, to secure a playoff spot 11-5.

2016 Playoffs:

In the Wild Card round the New York Giants traveled to frigid Lambeau Field for another postseason battle with the Green Bay Packers. Early on things looked good for Big Blue as the Giants completely had Aaron Rodgers boxed in for most of the first half. However, the Giants missed several opportunities to build on a 6-0 lead as Odell Beckham who spent the week leading up to the game on a party boat with the rest of the Giants receivers and Justin Bieber dropped a key pass. The Packers taking advantage of a bad punt by Brad Wing took control of the game late in the second quarter Aaron Rodgers quickly moving the Packers down the field. Rodgers would add a second touchdown at end of the second quarter on a Hail Mary play that sent the Giants to the locker down 14-6 feeling the game slipping away. The Giants would answer in the third quarter, with a Tavarres King catching a 41-yard pass from Eli Manning, but Rodgers was too much for the Giants to handle as the Packers pulled away in the fourth quarter to win the game 38-13.

2017:

Coming off of an 11-5 season and a playoff appearance under first-year coach Ben McAdoo there were high hopes for the New York Football Giants, who were still maneuvering away from the regime of Tom Coughlin. Ironically, the 2017 Giants could have used a little of the two-time Super Bowl championship coach and less of the coach who cannot even choose a suit that fits as he fumbled his way through weekly press conferences. Things began to fall apart right away as their seemingly annual season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, resulted in a lackluster 19-3 loss. A week later the Giants hosted the Detroit Lions in their home opener on Monday Night Football. Once again, the Giants struggled in all aspects of the game, losing 24-10. The offensive line was especially bad as Ereck Flowers was embarrassed several times during the game. The Giants struggles continued into Week 3 as they found themselves down 14-0 at the start of the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants sleeping offense finally woke up on Philadelphia as Eli Manning connected with Odell Beckham Jr. twice to even the score, then found Sterling Sheppard on a 77-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-14 lead. The Eagles battled back as the game was tied late 24-24. After the Giants failed to advance the ball in the final minute, the Eagles got the ball and set up Jake Elliott for a 61-yard field goal attempt that barely cleared the crossbar to give the Eagles a 27-24 win. More than any other loss the sudden loss in Philly hurt. A week later there would be even more pain as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-23 on a last second 34-yard field goal by Nick Folk. Things went from bad to worse for the Giants as they returned home in Week 5. Not only did they drop to 0-5 with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but they also suffered a series of major injuries, including a broken ankle suffered by Odell Beckham Jr. With all hope seemingly lost, the Giants faced the Denver Broncos on the road in a Sunday Night Game, and out of nowhere delivered and inspired 23-10 win as Orleans Darkwa had his first 100-yard game, while Janoris Jenkins broke Denver’s spirits with a pick-six. The win was not the sign things were turning around, rather a ting oasis in a desert of woe. The Giants would lose at home against the Seattle Seahawks a week later 24-7. Following the bye, the Giants struggled continued as they were humiliated by the Los Angeles Rams 51-17 at Met Life Stadium, the most points they allowed at home since 1964. In the game, Eli Manning became the seventh quarterback to pass for over 50,000 yards in his career. In Week 10, the Giants dropped to 1-8 with a 31-21 road loss to the previously winless San Francisco 49ers. Returning home, the Giants got their first win in the Meadowlands on the season beating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime 12-9. In the game, Eli Manning started his 209th straight game, passing his brother Peyton Manning for the second longest streak behind Brett Favre among quarterbacks. Eli Manning extended the streak to 210 games, four days later as the Giants gave yet another uninspired effort, losing to the Washington Redskins 20-10 on Thanksgiving at FedEx Field. The loss eliminated the 2-9 Giants from playoff contention and led coach Ben McAdoo to do the unthinkable, bench, Eli Manning. Making the move seem even stranger instead of giving rookie Davis Webb the start on the road against the Oakland Raiders, they started Geno Smith. The Giants would lose the game 24-17, as the backlash among fans and former players built. At 2-10, McAdoo and the Giants were a dumpster fire, while it was not all his fault with 20 players on IR, fans began to make him the target of their ire. Upon returning from Oakland, with fans fuming, John Mara decided to pull the plug firing both Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese. Steve Spagnuolo would run coach the team on an interim basis the rest of the way. Things did not get much better under coach Spags, as they lost to the Cowboys 30-10 as Eli Manning returned to the lineup. A week later, Eli had his best game of the season, passing for 434 yards with three touchdowns, but it was not enough as they lost to the Eagles 34-29. Following an embarrassing 23-0 road loss against the Arizona Cardinals, the Giants went into their final game with a new General Manager, as they announced the hiring of Dave Gettleman, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. With pride on the line, the Giants won their final game, beating the Redskins 18-10. The win would not erase the pain and embarrassment of a difficult season as they posted their worst record since 1980 at 3-13. Contributor Jeff Jost

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

1927 NFL Champions

New York Giants

1934 NFL Champions

New York Giants

1938 NFL Champions

New York Giants

1956 NFL Champions

New York Giants

Super Bowl XXI Champions (1986)

New York Giants

Super Bowl XXV Champions (1990)

New York Giants

Super Bowl XLII Champions (2007)

New York Giants

Super Bowl XLVI Champions (2011)

New York Giants

GIANTS STADIUMS

Polo Grounds

1925-1955

Yankee Stadium

1956-1973

Yale Bowl

1973-1974

Giants Stadium

1976-2009

Met Life Stadium

2010-Present

Giants Greats

Tim Mara

Owner 1925-1957

Benny Friedman

1929-1931

Jack McBride

1925-1928, 1932-1934

Morris “Red” Badgro

1927-1935

Ray Flaherty

1928-1935

Ed Danowski

1934-1941

Tuffy Leemans

1936-1943

Al Blozis

1942-1944

Mel Hein

1931-1945

1938 NFL MVP

Ward Cuff

1937-1945

Hank Soar

1937-1944, 1946

Ken Strong

1933-35, 1939, 1941-47

Steve Owen

Coach 1930-1953

Arnie Weinmeister

1950-1953

John Cannady

1947-1954

Tom Landry

1949-1955

Eddie Price

1950-1955

Emlen Tunnell

1948-1958

Bill Svoboda

1954-1958

Bob Schnelker

1954-1960

Harland Svare

1955-1960

Charlie Conerly

1948-1961

1959 NFL MVP

Kyle Rote

1951-1961

Cliff Livingston

1954-1961

Pat Summerall

1958-1961

Ray Weitecha

1953-1962

Rosey Grier

1955-1962

Sam Huff

1956-1963

Dick Modzelewski

1956-1963

Frank Gifford

1952-1964

1956 NFL MVP

Jack Stroud

1953-1964

Alex Webster

1955-1964

Don Chandler

1956-1964

Andy Robustelli

1956-1964

Erich Barnes

1961-1964

Y.A. Tittle

1961-1964

1963 NFL MVP

Rosey Brown

1953-1965

Jim Patton

1955-1966

Dick Lynch

1959-1966

Del Shofner

1961-1967

Jim Katcavage

1956-1968

Darrell Dess

1959-1964, 1966-1969

Homer Jones

1964-1969

Aaron Thomas

1962-1970

Fran Tarkenton

1967-1971

Tucker Frederickson

1965, 1967-1971

Joe Morrison

1959-1972

Greg Larson

1961-1973

Willie Williams

1965, 1967-1973

Pete Gogolak

1966-1974

Carl “Spider” Lockhart

1965-1975

Willie Young

1966-1975

Ron A. Johnson

1970-1975

Craig Morton

1974-1976

Bob Tucker

1970-1977

Jack Gregory

1972-1978

Larry Csonka

1976-1978

Doug Van Horn

1968-1979

Joe Pisarcik

1977-1979

Doug Kotar

1974-1979, 1981

George Young

GM 1979-1997

Wellington Mara

Owner 1937-2005

Brian Kelley

1973-1983

Brad Van Pelt

1973-1983

Terry Jackson

1978-1983

Lawrence Taylor

1981 Defensive Rookie

Scott Brunner

1980-1983

Dave Jennings

1974-1984

Earnest Gray

1979-1984

Brad Benson

1978-1987

George Martin

1975-1988

Harry Carson

1976-1988

Jim Burt

1981-1988

Lawrence Taylor

1981 & 1982 Defensive Player & 1986 Defensive Playe & MVP

Phil Simms

Super Bowl XXI MVP

Phil McConkey

1984-1988

Joe Morris

1982-1989

Terry Kinard

1983-1989

Bill Parcells

Coach 1983-1990

Lionel Manuel

1984-1990

Mark Bavaro

1985-1990

Gary Reasons

1984-1991

Maurice Carthon

1985-1991

Leonard Marshall

1983-1992

Carl Banks

1984-1992

Jeff Hostetler

1984-1992

Bills PK Scott Norwood

Super Bowl XXV

Ottis Anderson

1986-1992

Super Bowl XXV MVP

Pepper Johnson

1986-1992

Stephen Baker

1987-1992

Mark Ingram

1987-1992

Matt Bahr

1990-1992

Phil Simms

1979-1993

Lawrence “LT” Taylor

1981-1993

Perry Williams

1984-1993

Sean Landeta

1985-1993

Bart Oates

1985-1993

Mark Collins

1986-1993

Steve DeOssie

1989-1993

William Roberts

1984-1994

Erik Howard

1986-1994

Dave Meggett

1989-1994

Doug Riesenberg

1987-1995

Jumbo Elliot

1988-1995

Brian Williams

1989-1996, 1999

Rodney Hampton

1990-1997

Chris Calloway

1992-1998

Phillippi Sparks

1992-1999

Brad Daluiso

1993-2000

Howard Cross

1989-2001

Jessie Armstead

1993-2001

Michael Strahan

2001 Deffensive Player

Jason Sehorn

Michael Strahan

Keith Hamilton

1992-2003

Jim Fassel

Coach 1997-2003

Kerry Collins

1999-2003

Michael Barrow

2000-2003

Ron Dixon

2000-2003

Ike Hilliard

1997-2004

Ron Dayne

2000-2004

Will Allen

2001-2005

Will Peterson

2001-2005

Tiki Barber

1997-2006

Luke Petitgout

1999-2006

Michael Strahan

1993-2007

Jeremy Shockey

2002-2007

David Tyree

2003-2007

Gibril Wilson

2004-2007

Amani Toomer

1996-2008

Plaxico Burress

2005-2008

Super Bowl Winning TD

Sam Madison

2006-2008

R.W. McQuarters

2006-2008

Jeff Feagles

2003-2009

Fred Robbins

2004-2009

Antonio Pierce

2005-2009

Jay Alford

2007-2009

Rich Seubert

2001-2010

Shaun O’Hara

2004-2010

Barry Cofield

2006-2010

Kevin Boss

2007-2010

Steve Smith

2007-2010

Kareem McKenzie

2005-2011

Mario Manningham

Kareem McKenzie

Jake Ballard

2010-2011

Deon Grant

2010-2011

Eli Manning

Super Bowl XLII & XLVIMVP

Osi Umenyiora

2003-2012

Chase Blackburn

2005-2012

Ahmed Bradshaw

2007-2012

Domenik Hixon

2007-2012

Lawrence Tynes

2007-2012

Kenny Phillips

2008-2012

Michael Boley

2009-2012

David Diehl

2003-2013

Chris Snee

2004-2013

Brandon Jacobs

2005-2011, 2013

Justin Tuck

2005-2013

Corey Webster

2005-2013

Kevin Boothe

2007-2013

Aaron Ross

2007-2013

Terrell Thomas

2008-2013

Linval Joseph

2010-2013

David Baas

2011-2013

Andre Brown

2011-2013

David Wilson

2012-2013

Mathias Kiwanuka

2006-2014

Antrel Rolle

2010-2014

Spencer Paysinger

2011-2014

Steve Weatherford

2011-2014

Tom Coughlin

Coach 2004-2015

Hakeem Nicks

2009-2013, 2015

Prince Amukamara

2011-2015

Rueben Randle

2012-2015

Jon Beason

2013-2015

Cullen Jenkins

2013-2015

Damontre Moore

2013-2015

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Interested in finding out more about Iowa's sports betting scene? After the legalization of sports betting in May 2019, a range of sportsbooks both online and retail have become available to Iowa bettors.
February 5th, 2024

Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.