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NY Giants Schedule: Top-10 season openers of all-time

By Connor McJunkin

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 08: The reflection of the New York Giants practice facility is seen on the helmet of Matt Dodge #6 of the New York Giants during practice at New Meadowlands Sports Complex on August 8, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 08: The reflection of the New York Giants practice facility is seen on the helmet of Matt Dodge #6 of the New York Giants during practice at New Meadowlands Sports Complex on August 8, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Tiki Barber #21 of the New York Giants takes the handoff from quarterback Eli Manning (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

8. September 11, 2005 – NY Giants 42, Arizona Cardinals 19

This opening contest of the 2005 season would mark the beginning of a 14-year run where Eli Manning started the season under center for the NY Giants. The 24-year old had taken over midway through the 2004 season and was now the full time signal caller leading the franchise.

It was a bizarre game that saw Arizona dominate almost every offensive statistical category. They had more first downs, more total yards, over 100 more passing yards, went 8-19 on 3rd downs, ran 29 more plays than the Giants, and had almost 11 minutes more time of possession.

Eli Manning hit Jeremy Shockey in the first quarter to give Big Blue a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would hit two field goals and return a Manning interception for a touchdown to take a 13-7 lead at halftime.

The teams went back and forth in the third quarter, with the Giants hanging on to a 21-19 lead after a Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald touchdown. The ensuing kickoff was returned 95-yards for a touchdown by Willie Ponder to take a 28-19 lead. In the fourth quarter, Manning connected with Burress for another score and Chad Morton put the nail in the coffin with a 52-yard punt return touchdown to go up 42-19.

Despite Manning completing just 10 passes and each team committing just one penalty and two turnovers, game breaking special teams plays and 121 rushing yards by the G-Men sparked a 35-6 second half performance.

The 42 points scored is tied for the most points scored in a season opener in franchise history since the modern era of the NFL began in 1970. The Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers 42-40 in 1971.

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