4 best NY Giants-NY Jets games in crosstown rivalry history

1. Giants 29, Jets 14: Dec. 24, 2011

We couldn't forget about the magical Christmas Eve victory from 2011, where the Giants would get a much-needed win to jump-start a six-game winning streak into the playoffs and end up with their second victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in four years. Many Big Blue fans not only remember this game for the highlights, but for the hype coming into the game and the spark it gave the Giants to accomplish all they did that season.

The Jets entered this game 8-6 and in position for their third-straight playoff berth, and the Giants were 7-7, desperate for a win to keep their season alive. The Giants had their backs against the wall late in the first half, down 7-3 and on their one-yard line. Then everything changed in that moment when Manning found Victor Cruz, who salsa'd his way into the end zone for 99 yards.

After that moment, the Jets tried to keep it a close game. Still, they struggled to take the lead from the Giants, all thanks to their elite pass-rushers who combined for five total sacks, including Chris Canty's sack of quarterback Mark Sanchez, which resulted in a safety, putting the G-Men up 22-14. Jason Pierre-Paul finished with two sacks, Justin Tuck and David Tollefson each had one as well.

This win was not only the spark to one of the biggest seasons in New York Giants franchise history, but it was a statement win over a team that Big Blue does not like very much. After the game, Jacobs had an exchange with Rex Ryan in which the Jets head coach came up to the running back and said, "Wait till we win the Super Bowl." Ryan may not have been right about that; however, he was correct that a team from East Rutherford would hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February.