With the NY Giants 2022-23 regular season kicking earlier this month, we figured it would be fun to take a break from all of the live coverage in order to look at some of the success the NY Giants have seen in the past. And you already know there’s been plenty of it.
Obviously a list like this can be a little tedious, as even the lowest win on this list is still something several teams in the NFL have yet to do. It is still entertaining to research and read about the NY Giants of old, especially with the somewhat depressing state of the current team, though things feel like they’re changing.
The NY Giants have been one of more successful teams in NFL history, as their four Super Bowl wins is something only six other teams have accomplished. With that being said, here is a ranking of all four of the NY Giants Super Bowl victories:
4. Super Bowl XXV
A win is a win. However, when looking at the other NY Giants Super Bowl victories, it is not hard to put this one last. Not only was this the closest game (NY beat Buffalo 20-19) out of the rest, but the NY Giants were really bailed out by Scott Norwood’s infamous missed kick. Imagine had that kick gone in?
Regardless, it was still a great game, as not only did the NY Giants defense shut down Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly, but they were also able to win this game while missing their starting QB Phil Simms and rookie RB Rodney Hampton.
This Super Bowl victory is the only one in team history in which a QB did not win Super Bowl MVP. In this case, 33-year-old RB Ottis Anderson took home the award after running the ball 21 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.
It may have been a bit of an ugly win, and luck may have been on the NY Giants side. However, it is still a Super Bowl win, something that 12 teams in the NFL have yet to do. This remains a moment people won’t forget in East Rutherford.
3. Super Bowl XXI
The first Super Bowl win in NY Giants history was quite an exciting one. Not only is this game the widest margin in a Super Bowl victory for the NY Giants, it was also just a really fun game to watch.
In their true underdog fashion, the NY Giants were able to overcome their halftime deficit, and go on to explode in the third quarter, holding the Denver Broncos offense to zero points while scoring 17 of their own.
Simms played arguably the best game of his career on the biggest stage he had ever seen. He completed 22 of his 25 pass attempts for 268 yards and 3 TDs, winning Super Bowl MVP in the process.
The defense of the NY Giants also showed up in a huge way, taking Hall of Famer John Elway down four times, intercepting him once, and even racking up a safety in the second quarter. All around, this was a really entertaining contest.
While this game may not rank higher than the other two left on the list, it should not take away from just how special this victory was for the NY Giants. They took down the Broncos 39-20 and not a whole lot of people thought the G-Men were going to be able to pull this one off.
2. Super Bowl XLVI
Up next we have the most recent Super Bowl victory for the NY Giants in which the defeated the Patriots for the second time in a row, this time 21-17. This game was not only where NY Giants QB Eli Manning cemented himself as a Hall of Famer, but he also threw one of the greatest passes in NFL history to Mario Manningham – all while winning his second Super Bowl MVP in two tries.
The game started off with a bang after NY Giants legend Justin Tuck forced Tom Brady to throw a ball that was called for intentional grounding in the end-zone, leading to a safety only seven minutes into the game. The Giants would go on to hold the lead until the final seconds of the first half.
After the first half, things seemed rough for the Giants after the Patriots scored on their opening drive. However, after two clutch Lawrence Tynes kicks, the Giants would trail by only two. Following this, the Giants and Patriots would both hold their own unsuccessful drives, but with 3:46 in the fourth quarter, Manning got in the driver’s seat and led the NY Giants down the field.
While Ahmad Bradshaw may not have meant to score, it was his eventual TD with 1:04 left in the game that would put the game away. Giving the NY Giants their fourth Super Bowl win. Things may have gotten rough shortly after this Super Bowl victory. However, NY Giants fans will always be able to say they beat the greatest QB of all time not once, but twice.
Number 1: Super Bowl XLII
The impossible victory, something that absolutely no one saw coming, and arguably the greatest win in sports history: the NY Giants taking down the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
This Super Bowl has no shortage of memorable moments. Whether it be the helmet catch, Plaxico Burress’s fade route and catch to seal the game, or Justin Tuck’s legendary two-sack performance, It was one of the most heart-stopping games NY supporters have ever watched.
Manning to Tyree.
— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2019
Also known as... "The Helmet Catch." 😱 #WildPlayWednesday | #SBLII pic.twitter.com/mSLgpH1rsu
Throughout all of the playoffs, the Giants were underdogs to win every single game. So to even make the Super Bowl, let alone win one, is absolutely incredible and inspirational. Prior to this playoff run and Super Bowl victory, many fans were questioning Manning’s capabilities as a franchise QB. However, after this legendary performance, there were almost no doubts that he was the guy for the Giants.
No one thought the Giants had a chance to win this game, so for both Manning and his defense to show up the way they did – it was nothing short of inspirational. This ruined the perfect season for Brady and the Patriots, with the G-Men coming out on top 17-14. Manning owned Brady twice, and he’ll always have bragging rights over him.
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