You know, I am a Giants fan. So on some level, this does kind of bother me.
But then again, you know what? Somebody has to be closer to the bottom of the pack then the top. I mean, I knew that the 2011 Giants, who finished the season 9-7, and barely made the playoffs (albeit as division champions) would not warrant comparisons to the 1985 Bears.
Still, here's the thing: they were still the Super Bowl champions at the end of the season.
Not bad.
So this does not bother me, as a Giants fan. Again, the G-Men had some dominant seasons. The 1986 season was probably the most dominant in franchise history. That team really was a juggernaut. They started off solidly, and were 5-2 as the midseason approached. They then went on a 12-game winning streak, with the first six being mostly close, and the last six games being mostly lopsided. They scored 55 points in the regular season finale to complete a 14-2 regular season record, which still is the best that they have ever done. They then crushed the San Francisco 49ers (yes, during the dynasty days), 49-3, and shut out Washington, 17-0 in the NFC title game, to reach the franchise's first ever Super Bowl. There, they defeated the Denver Broncos, 39-20. In those three postseason games, the defense allowed, on average, less than 8 points per game, while the G-Men themselves averaged 35 points per game.
In 1990, the Giants won another Super Bowl. That team was very solid, and certainly will not be remembered as one of the worst winning Super Bowl teams of all-time. However, they also will not be remembered as one of the most dominant Super Bowl teams of all-time, either. In fact, they were considered the third best team entering the playoffs, and some people even questioned if they should be ranked that high. Some thought that the Chicago Bears would knock them off at the Meadowlands in the divisional round. But the G-Men took care of business in a major way, crushing Chicago, 31-3. Most people assumed that Big Blue would fall short to the 49ers the next weekend in the NFC Championship Game, played in the good old Candlestick Park, which was actually in San Francisco. I kind of miss that stadium, and like the idea that it eas in the city proper. Anyway, the Giants just eked out a narrow win on the game's final play in that one, ending the great dynasty of the days of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, and other legends.
Still, most people expected the Giants to get beaten - possibly even blown out - by Buffalo in Super Bowl XXV. The Bills had the league's most powerful, high octane offense. It was the no huddle, "K-Gun" offense that was new, and had the league's defenses scrambling to try and slow them down. In the playoffs, that offense had put up 44 points on Miami, and then crushed the Raiders, 51-3 (it was 41-3 by halftime). But Bill Belichick put together a brilliant game plan, trying to take away Buffalo's passing game, almost daring them to use Thurman Thomas to beat them. It was risky. But that strategy, combined with the Giants offense hanging onto the ball for a record of well over 40 minutes, was enough to slow Buffalo down just enough to give New York a chance. It came down to the final drive, yet the Bills still managed to drive down the field and get a 47-yard field goal attempt that would win the game. Everyone remembers Scott Norwood's kick sailing just wide right, giving the Giants their second ever Super Bowl trophy.
The G-Men earned their third and fourth Super Bowl trophies in 2007 and 2011. Those Giants teams went 10-6 and 9-7 during the regular season, respectively. The Giants fell three games short of winning the NFC East in 2007, but beat the 13-3 Cowboys in the playoffs a week after knocking off the Bucs in Tampa Bay. They survived a tough game in frigid Lambeau Field against the Packers to earn a trip to Super Bowl XLII, where they upset the heavily favored (prohibitive favorites, really) New England Patriots, who had enjoyed a historically dominant season, and entered the Super Bowl with a perfect 18-0 record. In 2011, the Giants actually won the division title on the final week of the regular season, again beating the Cowboys. They crushed the Falcons at home (my son and I went to that game, which is still the only NFL playoff game I've ever been to). They beat the defending champion (and 15-1) Packers at Lambeau Field again, then outlasted the 49ers in San Francisco. In the Super Bowl, they again just got the better of the Patriots in the rematch.
Remarkable runs. Yet, I probably would agree that those Giants, at least statistically, if you look at it from the beginning of the season to the end, were probably much closer to the worst Super Bowl champs in history than to being among the best.
But hey, the Giants not only were in, but won both of those Super Bowls!
As a fan, I'll take it.
ESPN: 2007, 2011 Giants were among worst Super Bowl teams ever Share this article 5.8k shares share tweet email Dan Benton February 1, 2024 5:36 am ET
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