What are the 50 most memorable games in NFL history? Ask that question and you’ll get an unlimited number of answers but a 37-person panel at Sports Illustrated decided to compile a list anyway.
Here is how they determined the top 50 and the final order:
For us, the decision was based on a series of questions and answers. Which games stick in the consciousness of the country? Which had unforgettable endings and high drama? Which were the best played and the most important? The factors abound.
Ultimately, each panelist voted for their 50 games, and then a cumulative score was reached to determine the order. What follows is our best shot at ranking the 50 most memorable games of the Super Bowl era, starting in New Orleans with the NFC title on the line.
In total, four Giants games made the final cut. Here’s a quick look at each:
What are the 50 most memorable games in NFL history? Ask that question and you’ll get an unlimited number of answers but a 37-person panel at Sports Illustrated decided to compile a list anyway.Here is how they determined the top 50 and the final order:
For us, the decision was based on a series of questions and answers. Which games stick in the consciousness of the country? Which had unforgettable endings and high drama? Which were the best played and the most important? The factors abound.
Ultimately, each panelist voted for their 50 games, and then a cumulative score was reached to determine the order. What follows is our best shot at ranking the 50 most memorable games of the Super Bowl era, starting in New Orleans with the NFC title on the line.
In total, four Giants games made the final cut. Here’s a quick look at each:
What are the 50 most memorable games in NFL history? Ask that question and you’ll get an unlimited number of answers but a 37-person panel at Sports Illustrated decided to compile a list anyway.
Here is how they determined the top 50 and the final order:
For us, the decision was based on a series of questions and answers. Which games stick in the consciousness of the country? Which had unforgettable endings and high drama? Which were the best played and the most important? The factors abound.
Ultimately, each panelist voted for their 50 games, and then a cumulative score was reached to determine the order. What follows is our best shot at ranking the 50 most memorable games of the Super Bowl era, starting in New Orleans with the NFC title on the line.
In total, four Giants games made the final cut. Here’s a quick look at each:
38. 1990 NFC Championship Game
George Rose/Getty Images
“There will be no three-peat!”
At Candlestick Park, one of the hardest-hitting games in NFL history broke out, with the Giants trailing 13–12 into the waning minutes of regulation. After Joe Montana was knocked out of what ended up being his final career start for San Francisco, running back Roger Craig fumbled with New York linebacker Lawrence Taylor recovering.
On the final play, Matt Bahr drilled his fifth field goal, a 42-yarder, to send the Giants to Super Bowl XXV behind backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler.
What happened next for the Giants also made this list… But we’ll get to that later.
36. Giants vs. Eagles in 1978
Rick Stewart/Allsport
Not everything on this list is going to be pro-Giants. At the time, this was the lowest moment in franchise history and sparked significant change.
At 6–5, the Eagles faced a virtual must-win game at Giants Stadium against a poor New York squad. However, with under a minute remaining, the Giants had the ball and a 17–12 lead with Philadelphia unable to stop the clock.
Then, the Miracle at the Meadowlands. Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik botched the handoff to legendary fullback Larry Csonka. The ball bounced off Csonka, then the turf, and into the hands of Eagles corner Herman Edwards, who ran 26 yards for the winning score. Philadelphia transformed the good fortune into its first playoff berth since 1960.
How? Why? All of this time later and the question remains maddening.
9. Super Bowl XXV
Rick Stewart/Allsport
After their classic NFC Championship Game victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants followed it up with another all-time classic against the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl.
Wide right!
The Giants entered Super Bowl XXV with a backup quarterback in Jeff Hostetler. The Bills entered as 6.5-point favorites, having scored 95 points in playoff wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Raiders.
Yet instead of a Buffalo shootout, the game turned into a grind with New York controlling the ball for more than 40 minutes. The Giants also deployed a defense designed to punish receivers with the genius of coordinator Bill Belichick, usually lining up with just two defensive linemen.
The result was New York leading 20–19 with eight seconds left, with Buffalo lining up for a 47-yard field goal to win. Unfortunately for Bills fans, kicker Scott Norwood missed the attempt wide right, forever linking those two words with western New York.
Bill Belichick’s gameplan ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Bills would ultimately lose four Super Bowls in a row.
6. Super Bowl XLII
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The game itself may not be the greatest in Giants history but the result certainly was. Every Big Blue fan the world over knows exactly where they were when the Giants took down the perfect New England Patriots.
A single play may stand out from the game, but many moments deserve equal praise.
In the waning moments of Super Bowl XLII, New York trailed 14–10, facing 3rd and 5 at its own 44-yard line. Manning, caught in a furious pass rush, somehow escaped and found Tyree late and across the middle for a 32-yard gain. The miracle set up Plaxico Burress’s 13-yard touchdown grab, putting the Giants into the lead with 39 seconds left.
Ultimately, the Giants won the first of their two titles under coach Tom Coughlin, while New England remains the only team to ever go unbeaten and then lose the Super Bowl.
“Believe it and it will happen.”
If you’re a Giants fan, you can still feel the joy of that day.
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