It's Super Bowl week in the NFL, and what better way to commemorate the occasion than by looking back at when our beloved New York Giants were once a proud franchise? It's hard to believe that it's been 13 years since the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots in a vintage Eli Manning comeback performance to capture the franchise's fourth world title.
But as all fans know by now, things have since gone south for Big Blue. Since winning that Super Bowl in 2012, the Giants have been to the postseason just twice, winning only one playoff game in the process. Even though New York has a long way to go to get back into the Super Bowl conversation, let's take a look back and rank the five Super Bowls New York has played in.
Ranking the five Super Bowls the G-Men have appeared in
5. Giants vs Ravens Super Bowl XXXV
For all you long-time Giants fans out there, I’m sure this is not a memory you’d like to look back on fondly. In Super Bowl XXXV on January 28, 2001, New York faced the Baltimore Ravens, knowing they were in for a tough matchup against one of the league’s best defenses that season.
Led by future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, Baltimore’s defense allowed just 152 total yards against the Giants' offense (the third-lowest all-time in a Super Bowl) and forced five turnovers, with all 16 of New York’s possessions ending in punts. The Giants’ only touchdown came on an 84-yard kickoff return in the third quarter, which ultimately didn’t matter.
Not really a whole lot of positives came out of this game, as the Giants were flat-out embarrassed on the world’s biggest stage. Luckily for them and their fans, better fortunes were on the way in the years to come.
4. Giants vs Broncos Super Bowl XXI
In what turned out to be the Giants’ first Super Bowl appearance in the Super Bowl era, they certainly did not disappoint. Taking on John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987, the Giants’ elite defense, rushing attack, and, of course, a huge game from quarterback Phil Simms were enough to deliver their fanbase its first Super Bowl victory in franchise history with a 39-20 win.
Despite Simms not having a strong regular season, the Giants’ signal-caller passed for 268 yards and had three touchdowns, securing Super Bowl MVP honors. Running back Joe Morris also had a strong game on the ground, accounting for 67 of New York’s 136 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Giants tallied a total of 399 yards on offense.
The defense also played a sharp game against Elway and the Broncos' offense, sacking Elway four times and forcing a turnover. Both offensively and defensively, it was a memorable Super Bowl for the Giants, as they played exceptionally well on both sides of the ball.
3. Giants vs Patriots Super Bowl XLVI
The most recent and probably least talked about of the Giants' Super Bowls. For the second time in four years, on February 2, 2012, the Giants faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. After an up-and-down 2011 regular season followed by a dramatic playoff run led by the heroics of Eli Manning, the momentum carried into the Super Bowl.
After jumping out to a quick 9-0 lead but soon falling behind Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense, Manning found himself in familiar territory, just like his first Super Bowl appearance when the Giants were down late in the fourth quarter. With less than four minutes to go, Manning launched a deep throw toward the sideline to wide receiver Mario Manningham for 38 yards, drawing comparisons to the infamous David Tyree catch (which we'll soon be talking about).
Even though running back Ahmad Bradshaw didn’t want to score in the waning seconds of the game, he fell into the end zone, giving the Giants the lead. The defense held off any Brady comeback attempt, securing a 21-17 win.
It might not be as talked about as Big Blue’s other three Super Bowl wins, but Manning and the Giants knocking off Brady and the Pats again was certainly impressive—especially since, at one point that season, New York was 6-6 and ownership was considering firing Tom Coughlin.
2. Giants vs Bills Super Bowl XXV
Who can forget this epic game? In case you’ve been living under a rock for a while, I’ll give you a hint... “Wide right!”
On January 27, 1991, the Giants faced the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV, hoping to win their second world title in five years. And, boy, was this game filled with drama.
Facing a Bills team that led the league in scoring during the 1990 season with 428 points, this matchup was intriguing. The Giants' defense, which allowed a league-low 211 points that year, had its hands full. Thanks to running back Ottis Anderson’s 102 rushing yards, New York’s offense was able to go toe-to-toe with Buffalo’s prolific attack and keep the game close until the very end.
With the Giants up by just one point and seconds remaining, the Bills lined up for a potential game-winning field goal. Kicker Scott Norwood’s attempt sailed wide right, prompting legendary announcer Al Michaels to deliver the now-iconic call: “Wide right.”
The Giants secured a 20-19 victory in the only Super Bowl in NFL history to be decided by one point, with neither team committing a turnover.
1. Giants vs Patriots Super Bowl XLII
Is this really a surprise?
After making the playoffs as a Wild Card team in 2007 and winning three straight games on the road during the postseason—including a conference championship victory against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in the bitter cold—this was a Super Bowl nobody gave the Giants a chance to win. But as we all know, 17 years ago in Glendale, Arizona, history was made.
On February 3, 2008, the Giants faced their most daunting task ever in Super Bowl XLII: taking on the 18-0 New England Patriots. Not only were the Patriots looking to become just the second team in NFL history to go undefeated in a single season, but they also had a historically great offense featuring Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss.
Despite that, the Giants' defense held New England to just seven points in the first half. When the Patriots took a 14-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, we all know what happened next.
Facing third down, Manning was on the verge of getting sacked—which could have sealed the Patriots' perfect season—but he somehow fought his way out and launched a desperation throw to the middle of the field. David Tyree came down with the now-legendary helmet catch for 32 yards.
That incredible sequence set up Manning’s game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, sealing the Giants’ stunning 17-14 victory and spoiling the Patriots’ bid for perfection.
This was undoubtedly the greatest Super Bowl in Giants history—and possibly one of the greatest in sports history. New York entered the game as a 12-point underdog and a wild-card team. Yet they pulled off a miracle win. Even 17 years later, it’s a game Giants fans still talk about.