My mom died the week before and I know she was looking down helping the Giants. I drank so many beers (nervous drinking) that I had to call into work next day. The Giants helped me get through that time.
First one,and at home,it was a dream come true.What a day at the stadium,the crowd ,the wind,and the best team we ever had sending us off to Pasadena.
I honestly can't believe that game was 31 years ago. I remember it like it was literally yesterday. Also a great one just waiting and waiting for it to end.
1. 1990 (My favorite Giant game ever)
2. 2011
3. 2000 (I was at the game so that puts it higher up for me)
4. 2007
5. 1986 (I was a bit too young - 9 - to appreciate this)
that's like asking me which finger would I like to give up. Maybe i'd tick down the Minny game a snatch because of the failure to pay the next game -- because that superbowl was the most depressing
and demoralizing game I've ever watched.
It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Was basically my introduction to football. That game has a reputation as one of the greatest football games ever played, even amongst non Giant, non 49er fans. A game that featured Montana, LT and Rice just to name a few.
2011 49ers would be next. That game cemented Eli as an all-time clutch QB.
Because it was the first Giants game I can remember watching. The best football game I've ever seen. The 9ers in 90. Was 5 years old. My Grandpa, my mom, my aunt all holding hands like the players did on the sideline before my boy Matt Bahr puts its thru to send them to Tampa. Man shivers just thinking about it. The radio call was amazing too. You could feel how quiet Candlestick was.
And if you ever get the chance to watch the NFL films of the Giants season, what a great watch. Watched that VHS probably over a 1000 times growing up and cemented my forever fandom of the Giants.
They were great, great experiences for different reasons... 1986... Very cold, windy day, our first NFC Championship game at Giants Stadium. The place was electric. After the game, went to "the Bench" on Paterson Plank Road. LT and his entourage showed up... the Bench was just as electric as the stadium.
2000... The demolition of the Vikings, who if I remember correctly were a 3 point favorite... they never had a chance as Collins was on fire right from the get go, Hilliard, Toomer, it was a complete annihilation. I remember Culpepper, Moss and Chris Carter were in shock.
As great as those days were, they fail to match the 2007 Packers and 2011 49ers games. Both were incredibly emotional and thrilling Championship games.
If I have to pick one... 2011 49ers... For a few reasons... For me rivalry is bigger than with Pack, Eli kept getting up off the turf, the tension was unbelievable, the turnover, the feeling of relief when Tynes kicke the winner.
call, but I would have to go with 1986. I lived in the NYC metro area from birth until age 27 with the exception of 4 years in Northern Virginia (3rd grade through 6th grade) during the 1970s. I developed a special hatred for the Redskins because I got teased about the Giants in school. In addition to that, the idea that the Giants actually made it to the SB after so many crappy seasons was surreal to me at the time. Yup. Have to go with '86.
Finally!!!! After a loooong wait the Dream was realized. Then 2000 with my son was the greatest game he ever witnessed at the old stadium, what a party. But that 1990 game in SF was also a great one.... Damn they were all good for various reasons. But have to go with the 86 and 2000 cause we were there... Great memories all!
Long time coming, this game put the Giants in the Super Bowl for the first time. Also, the Giants D was so strong, so intimidating, they were a joy to watch. The D was the best Giants defense I’ve ever seen.
But the 1986 win against the Redskins was the most memorable. I grew up watching the Giants in the mid/late 70s. The playoffs and Superbowl were things that happened to other teams. When it was clear the Giants would win (which was almost the entire game) I was just so excited the Giants were going to a Superbowl I couldn't even sit down!
Side note - I still remember the build up to the the Superbowl and thinking it didn't really feel like the Superbowl because the Giants were in it. None of the rest of them felt that way, but that one did.
2000 was so incredible because the Giants were such underdogs but absolutely destroyed Minnesota in every phase of the game.
I still have to go with 2007 NFC Championship game. The 2011 game was incredible and that might have been Eli's best game as a Giant. He was playing the league's best defense and he took arguably the worst beating of his career in that game but he wasn't phased one bit.
Living in LA at the time and had a bunch of my colleagues and friends over the house for gigantic party. One of the great games and one of the biggest laughs I ever had. We were behind near the end and time was running out. I said jokingly something like Please, God, let us win and I'll sell my son to the highest bidder. We all had a small laugh after that,but then my then 3 year old son came into the room and one of my friends, Phil Goldberg, yelled out "Run, Mario, run." Talk about a huge laugh, followed shortly by the huge fumble recovery and then the field goal.
but I will eliminate 86 based on me being to young to properly enjoy it and grasp the concept of breaking through to the super bowl.
2011 was a hard fought victory but one where we were the experienced championship team and should have won, so its out.
2000 while not expected to win by many we were a very talented team who shut out one of the top offenses in my lifetime but we jumped them and they quit and then we coasted for most of 3 quarters, so the lack of anxiety makes it not the top.
90 and 2007 both ended on a field goal, both on the road, both against Hall of Fame QB's who had been to and won Superbowls. Both games were won off turnovers but I think the fumble running out the clock was more shocking then Farve throwing a pick. We were under 5 ft of dirt in 90 and busted out.
That and the difference of a 10 year old holding his breath while the kick was in the air vs a 27 year old. Even though the level of living for and through this team has never varied in my life, my perspective has grown. The impact of Flipper Anderson fresh in my mind against the 49ers, because we were going to win it all in 89 and it was his fault we didn't.
90 is the most meaningful and there fore favorite.
The 1990 NFC-C and the regular season matchup between the same two teams are the greatest pro football games I ever watched. I swear that in each of those epic gridiron battles every player on every play was giving 100% effort. In that championship game the Giants avenged their regular season loss and went on to the Super Bowl and I was so happy about beating the hated Niners I almost didn’t care if we won the Super Bowl. Of course they did win, and the greatest football player of all time got the second and final Super Bowl of his HOF career.
But great as those games were my all time favorite Giants game would be the 2011 NFC-C game. Eli is my all time favorite Giant and the NFC C game against the 9ers is the most amazing game I ever watched Eli play. Eli is under rated and under appreciated in every single way, but perhaps his most under appreciated quality is his extraordinary toughness. I’ve never seen a single player take such a vicious beating play after play. But those Niners, as tough and as mean as they were relentless, could not bow our man of steel that glorious day. For me, that championship game between the Giants and the Niners was the greatest game ever played by the greatest Giant I’ve ever seen.
1986 because it was the first and you can never again get the feeling Â
of the first one. But as giants fans we are blessed with 5 truely special games to choose from. The tough choice for me is which one is second on my list. The Eli game against the 49ers was one of the most gutsy performances you could ever see on a big stage by a Quarterback. I think this was Eli's best game ever, even topping his Super Bowl miracles. That packers game was special too. Especially that hail mary at the half. How do you top beating the 3 peats in 1990? There is no good way to make a choice when there is so much to choose from.
And 2011 games. In 2007, Plaxico simply played one of the greatest games I’ve seen a WR play in a championship game. In 2011, Manning gets pummeled in that game and comes back after each hit. That strike to Manningham for the TD was a thing of beauty. That game could have went either way.
Few things I forgot from that game are the 2 huge drops by toomer and Steve Smith not securing a first down catch towards the end of regulation on a beautifully thrown ball that would have moved the ball a lot closer and allowed us to kick a chip shot. Also that jay Alford was the long snapper because Bryan kehl was out on IR earlier in the season. Bad snap end of regulation caused tynes to hook that kick wide left. Feagles had a terrible game punting. Side note Wilson being the second best safety behind Collins I’ve seen in a giants uniform. Began watching in 1999
An easier question might be which was the least exciting game. Â
and such a high moment itself. All of those wins were great, some of them all-time great games. The Viking game was like a homecoming game - every good player in that generation scored, they got the shut out, there wasn't a moment of it that wasn't enjoyable for a Giant fan.
I was there and it was an absolute ass kicking. I've been a Giants fan for a long time and they never do anything easily. On that day, however, the Giants just dominated and the Vikings absolutely imploded. I will always remember the feeling of joy in the stadium that day. It was great.
49'ers were going for a 3Peat They had already dismissed the Giants as a bump in the road on their way to XXV. They had already moved their offices/personnel to Tampa. When the game ended, Giant great Pat Summerall relished screaming into the mike,"There will be no 3Peat,there will be no 3Peat!" Yeah,that was a damn good day!
one of those where you think you've lost, but then bam LT strips the ball out and then Bahr nails it from 40 on the last play. Plus it also had Marshal almost killing Montana and knocking him out of the game.
I have to agree, the most fun I’ve ever had at a football game (and I was there with a Viking fan!). I will say, the 1990 49ers game was probably the best though.
I think the least exciting was 86. 89 against the 49ers was awesome, brutal defensive game. 2000 over the Vikings was surreal. I went to a bar and by the time I got there only half the first half was over and it was like 28-0.
Packers in the cold was great. Tynes blew 2 chances to win it and finally came through. Amani Toomer was huge in that game.
The 2011 vs the 49ers I think was the best. Such high level football, every play, and that turnover that went off the return guy's knee. So huge.
The game was a war. We were big underdogs without Simms and Hampton. Most of all I was at the game. By far the best athletic competition I ever witnessed.
I was too young for the 86 team - the 90 team was around the time I started really loving the Giants (I was 6)
I'd have to say the 2008 game @ Lambeau. Everything about that game was incredible. The atmosphere, Eli, Tynes... the Pierce tackle, Jacobs trucking Woodson... Webster's INT. Plaxico.
It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
it's not even close 1986 17-0 over Redskins. To this day that is still my all-time favorite football game. After all those seasons without a championship...the feeling after winning that games I still can't put into words and it still damn near brings tears to my eyes.
But 1990 was the greatest football game I’ve ever seen and 2011 was the greatest QB performance I’ve ever seen from a Giants QB just edging Simms in SB 21.
Some,if not most here are not old enough to be aware of how great the 1990 Championship Game was. I was there in S.F. that day and it was the greatest football game that I have attended(Wasn't at the 2008 Super Bowl).
1990 is the one, and it was an easy choice. 49ers were looking to 3 peat, and had already made their reservations for Tampa. No one gave Hos and the Giants a chance, and it really looked bad until LT came away with ball. I think Maurice Carthon was the happiest guy on the planet after Barr nailed the GW FG....
to the 1990 game as I was there but that is one of the best football games of all time (imo). The fact it stopped the 49ers bid for a 3-peat was just icing on the cake. I remember walking out and seeing some t-shirt vendors putting their 3-peat t-shirts in boxes.
And I will say the 49ers fans were gracious losers. We were not hassled at all being Giants fans at that game.
It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
Great game, but it wasn't the NFC Championship game.
The hit that ended Joe Montana's career in SF if my favorite play of all time. The Giant D was mad about the cheap shot by Burt on Hoss, they were trying to kill Montana, watch the Youtube of that play, Marshall was trying to kill him and almost did. Joe would later say he was hit so hard and it hurt so much he thought he was going to die.
Considering who we were playing, the injuries, and the circumstances of the game (no TDs, done as can be before Craig fumble), this is easily my favorite. Plus...
My mom died the week before and I know she was looking down helping the Giants. I drank so many beers (nervous drinking) that I had to call into work next day. The Giants helped me get through that time.
I went through a similar ordeal with the 80s NYG teams. Years later my wife was asking my why the Giants mean so much to me and I had to bust out the water works inducing story of how the Giants got me through some brutal times when I was a young adult. She now gets it...don't even try to talk me out of NYG football. It aint happening.
It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
Great game, but it wasn't the NFC Championship game.
Yea, I realize that. The Championship game was the Washington wind bowl - one of the most surreal games I've ever seen (and also a great game) ... but Chris L. mentioned this 49er game and I just had to agree with him - even if it wasn't the Championship game, it was the playoffs and the best Giants playoff game of my lifetime. The hit on Montana was must monstrous. The entire D played mean that day.
And here's why. As good as the great teams of today are. The 80s niner teams were different. Even though the Giants had gotten the better of San Fran enough times throughout the 80s I don't think I truly believed we'd go into San Fran come January and win an NFC title game that year. There was almost a mysticism that surrounded that niners era team for me. I don't care how many titles belichick and the pats win, those niner teams just had a different aura to me back then. Maybe it's because I was younger or the NFL was different. All I know is I had hope and always believed in the parcells led Giants but that was one tall order. Game is winding down and I'm thinking here we go again niners win another close one and then the fumble...
1990 NFC title game was probably the only game i went into where I thought even if the Giants played well it would be a tough win to get. I had a ton of respect for that niners team. Respect and hatred. I didn't feel that way in the other games. Actually now that I think of it both niner games scared me the most out of the five.
And here's why. As good as the great teams of today are. The 80s niner teams were different. Even though the Giants had gotten the better of San Fran enough times throughout the 80s I don't think I truly believed we'd go into San Fran come January and win an NFC title game that year. There was almost a mysticism that surrounded that niners era team for me. I don't care how many titles belichick and the pats win, those niner teams just had a different aura to me back then. Maybe it's because I was younger or the NFL was different. All I know is I had hope and always believed in the parcells led Giants but that was one tall order. Game is winding down and I'm thinking here we go again niners win another close one and then the fumble...
1990 NFC title game was probably the only game i went into where I thought even if the Giants played well it would be a tough win to get. I had a ton of respect for that niners team. Respect and hatred. I didn't feel that way in the other games. Actually now that I think of it both niner games scared me the most out of the five.
The Giants had success against the 49ers because they never feared them
And when they played them they played to win as opposed to not to lose imo
Can't believe that game was 10 years ago. WTF.
He lost the ball in the sun, Greg. LOL
I honestly can't believe that game was 31 years ago. I remember it like it was literally yesterday. Also a great one just waiting and waiting for it to end.
Emotionally, I have to go with 07 over 86.
1. 1990 (My favorite Giant game ever)
2. 2011
3. 2000 (I was at the game so that puts it higher up for me)
4. 2007
5. 1986 (I was a bit too young - 9 - to appreciate this)
and demoralizing game I've ever watched.
But each of those games was a terriffic game.
One of my best friends is a 9ers fan so i would say the 2011 was my favorite!!
+1
2011 49ers would be next. That game cemented Eli as an all-time clutch QB.
And if you ever get the chance to watch the NFL films of the Giants season, what a great watch. Watched that VHS probably over a 1000 times growing up and cemented my forever fandom of the Giants.
2000... The demolition of the Vikings, who if I remember correctly were a 3 point favorite... they never had a chance as Collins was on fire right from the get go, Hilliard, Toomer, it was a complete annihilation. I remember Culpepper, Moss and Chris Carter were in shock.
As great as those days were, they fail to match the 2007 Packers and 2011 49ers games. Both were incredibly emotional and thrilling Championship games.
If I have to pick one... 2011 49ers... For a few reasons... For me rivalry is bigger than with Pack, Eli kept getting up off the turf, the tension was unbelievable, the turnover, the feeling of relief when Tynes kicke the winner.
Side note - I still remember the build up to the the Superbowl and thinking it didn't really feel like the Superbowl because the Giants were in it. None of the rest of them felt that way, but that one did.
86 first in the modern era after being long suffering fan.
90 first one with my first baby daughter
07 road warriors and my baby daughter’s all grown up and a big Giants fan and we sen those Patriots fans home crying!!
11 cloud nine we’re back in it and against the hated Patriots
I still have to go with 2007 NFC Championship game. The 2011 game was incredible and that might have been Eli's best game as a Giant. He was playing the league's best defense and he took arguably the worst beating of his career in that game but he wasn't phased one bit.
2011 was a hard fought victory but one where we were the experienced championship team and should have won, so its out.
2000 while not expected to win by many we were a very talented team who shut out one of the top offenses in my lifetime but we jumped them and they quit and then we coasted for most of 3 quarters, so the lack of anxiety makes it not the top.
90 and 2007 both ended on a field goal, both on the road, both against Hall of Fame QB's who had been to and won Superbowls. Both games were won off turnovers but I think the fumble running out the clock was more shocking then Farve throwing a pick. We were under 5 ft of dirt in 90 and busted out.
That and the difference of a 10 year old holding his breath while the kick was in the air vs a 27 year old. Even though the level of living for and through this team has never varied in my life, my perspective has grown. The impact of Flipper Anderson fresh in my mind against the 49ers, because we were going to win it all in 89 and it was his fault we didn't.
90 is the most meaningful and there fore favorite.
But great as those games were my all time favorite Giants game would be the 2011 NFC-C game. Eli is my all time favorite Giant and the NFC C game against the 9ers is the most amazing game I ever watched Eli play. Eli is under rated and under appreciated in every single way, but perhaps his most under appreciated quality is his extraordinary toughness. I’ve never seen a single player take such a vicious beating play after play. But those Niners, as tough and as mean as they were relentless, could not bow our man of steel that glorious day. For me, that championship game between the Giants and the Niners was the greatest game ever played by the greatest Giant I’ve ever seen.
There is no way I can pick a favorite.
2007 in GB cold was #2.
I have to agree, the most fun I’ve ever had at a football game (and I was there with a Viking fan!). I will say, the 1990 49ers game was probably the best though.
1986 Giants-Redskins
2011 Giants-49ers
2000 Giants-Vikings
NFL Films has made at least one movie about it, and I wouldn't be surprised if, 30 years from now, it makes its way onto a lot of Top Ten lists.
There were SO many jaw droppers in that game and we end up beating the unbeatable.
Packers in the cold was great. Tynes blew 2 chances to win it and finally came through. Amani Toomer was huge in that game.
The 2011 vs the 49ers I think was the best. Such high level football, every play, and that turnover that went off the return guy's knee. So huge.
I'd have to say the 2008 game @ Lambeau. Everything about that game was incredible. The atmosphere, Eli, Tynes... the Pierce tackle, Jacobs trucking Woodson... Webster's INT. Plaxico.
What a game.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
But for me, I wasn't old enough to appreciate 86 so 90 for me was the best as the two teams were just playing the best in the sport at the time.
Felt like two heaveyweights going blow for blow.
And I will say the 49ers fans were gracious losers. We were not hassled at all being Giants fans at that game.
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It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
Great game, but it wasn't the NFC Championship game.
I think they were in a state of shock. The place went from deafening to dead silence in a span of maybe 5 seconds.
What are the odds Montana would have missed on the throw? 1 in a million? A billion?
I went through a similar ordeal with the 80s NYG teams. Years later my wife was asking my why the Giants mean so much to me and I had to bust out the water works inducing story of how the Giants got me through some brutal times when I was a young adult. She now gets it...don't even try to talk me out of NYG football. It aint happening.
My wife was in the hospital during the 2001 game v Minny. Was kinda watching it, but since it was a blowout...it kinda became background.
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In comment 13798388 Chris L. said:
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It was the first one and it was total physical dominance!! Montana knocked out of the game and LT running the interception back for a pick 6. Coach Walsh was later quoted as saying that game caused him to completely reconstruct the 49ers because they could not compete with the physicality of our G-Men. Nothing like watching your team physically man handle the other team.
Yea, that's my favorite game too. I remember Rice early on fumbling a sure TD and saying to myself it was an omen. Sure enough, the Giants went on to totally destroy - rip the guts out of - a great 49ers team.
Great game, but it wasn't the NFC Championship game.
Yea, I realize that. The Championship game was the Washington wind bowl - one of the most surreal games I've ever seen (and also a great game) ... but Chris L. mentioned this 49er game and I just had to agree with him - even if it wasn't the Championship game, it was the playoffs and the best Giants playoff game of my lifetime. The hit on Montana was must monstrous. The entire D played mean that day.
1990 NFC title game was probably the only game i went into where I thought even if the Giants played well it would be a tough win to get. I had a ton of respect for that niners team. Respect and hatred. I didn't feel that way in the other games. Actually now that I think of it both niner games scared me the most out of the five.
1990 NFC title game was probably the only game i went into where I thought even if the Giants played well it would be a tough win to get. I had a ton of respect for that niners team. Respect and hatred. I didn't feel that way in the other games. Actually now that I think of it both niner games scared me the most out of the five.
The Giants had success against the 49ers because they never feared them
And when they played them they played to win as opposed to not to lose imo