Despite what recency bias suggests, the New York Giants are one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. That's saying something, especially since double-digit loss seasons seem to be the norm now.
Hard to believe now, but there was a time when a 9-25 record over two years would’ve been unthinkable. This is a proud organization that’s tied for the third-most Super Bowl wins in league history with four. Some of those Super Bowl-winning teams were downright dominant, while others were just happy to make the big dance. The 1986 Giants were the former.
The ‘86 Giants were one of the best teams in league history, so it wasn’t all that surprising they took the title in CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo’s Every NFL franchise’s best team of the Super Bowl era. Their elite defense, led by Lawrence Taylor, paved the way to a dominant Super Bowl win over John Elway and the Denver Broncos.
"After dropping their season-opener in Dallas, the Giants would lose just one more game during the rest of the '86 season," DeArdo wrote. "In the playoffs, the Giants walloped Joe Montana and the 49ers, 49-3, before shutting out Washington in the NFC Championship Game."
Blueprint from 1986 shows how Giants can win with defense
No one is saying the 2025 Giants will be anything like the 1986 Giants. They’ll likely be far from it. But if there’s a formula worth copying, this might be it. The ’86 team didn’t win because of gaudy passing numbers. Phil Simms threw for just 3,487 yards with 21 touchdowns and 22 picks. The passing game was solid, but it was the run game and the relentless defense that brought home the trophy.
Russell Wilson isn’t expected to throw the G-Men to the Super Bowl either, and that’s okay. This team will go as far as its defense takes it, and there’s serious reason to believe that’s a good thing. DeArdo spoke further about the persistent defense that brought New York its first championship.
"The Giants' dominant defense, a unit that included four Pro Bowlers in defensive ends Jim Burt, Leonard Marshall, Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor (that year's Defensive Player of the Year) intercepted John Elway three times," DeArdo added. "New York's defense also came up with a pivotal goal-line stand during the first half that included Taylor's crucial tackle of Elway just short of the goal line. The Broncos also had no answers as it related to stopping Giants linebacker Carl Banks, who recorded 10 tackles that included four behind the line of scrimmage."
That dominant team racked up 59 sacks. And while LT might be the single most unrepeatable force in NFL history, the current Giants front isn’t short on talent either. Kayvon Thibodeaux is eyeing a historic bounce-back season. Dexter Lawrence could be the best interior lineman in the league when healthy. Add in Brian Burns, Darius Alexander, and Chauncey Golston—and that’s a group that could give opposing quarterbacks nightmares.
Then there’s Abdul Carter. The rookie has yet to take a regular-season snap, but if minicamp was any indication, he’ll be on the field—and in the backfield—early and often. Coaches, players, and media alike have raved about his burst, his bend, and his ability to pressure from multiple alignments. If he becomes even a fraction of what Taylor was to that ’86 squad, Big Blue could have something special brewing on defense once again.
The offense might not light it up in 2025. But if this defense clicks, they won’t have to. That’s the lesson from 1986. And it’s one New York would be wise to remember. The 2025 Giants won't become the best team in franchise history, but the blueprint is there.