# 1993 New York Giants season

The 1993 New York Giants season was the franchise's 69th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first under head coach Dan Reeves, who was hired by the Giants after being fired by the Denver Broncos in the off-season.
The Giants were looking to improve on their 6–10 mark from the previous year under former head coach Ray Handley and return to the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXV in January 1991. Under Reeves’ watch, the Giants did exactly that, finishing with an 11–5 record and qualifying for the playoffs as one of the three Wild Card teams in the NFC. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings at home 17–10, but were soundly defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 44–3 in the Divisional Playoffs.
After the season, star linebacker Lawrence Taylor announced his retirement from football. As Taylor was playing out his final season, another Giants defensive stalwart was entering the league; 1993 saw the debut of Texas Southern defensive end Michael Strahan in the team's lineup.
1993 was also the last season for veteran Giants quarterback Phil Simms; he was released following the season and after entertaining offers to continue his career, Simms elected to retire in 1994.

## Offseason

There was some significant roster turnover from 1992. Among the departures were veteran linebackers Carl Banks, who joined the Washington Redskins, and Pepper Johnson, who joined the Cleveland Browns; defensive end Leonard Marshall, who joined the New York Jets; and Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis Anderson, who retired.
Another major roster turnover move was at the quarterback position, which had been in flux since the end of the 1990 season. After Simms went down to an injury, Jeff Hostetler took over for him and led the Giants to their second Super Bowl victory. Handley had chosen Hostetler over Simms in 1991 to become the starter, but Simms eventually won the job back after Hostetler himself suffered an injury. Simms again assumed the position in 1992, but once again suffered a severe injury pressing Hostetler back into duty. Injuries also befell Hostetler, who recorded a winning record despite the team's 6-10 finish. When the season ended and Reeves took over, he chose Simms as his starter and Hostetler was released

### NFL Draft

1993 New York Giants draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 2 | 40 | Michael Strahan * $^†$ | DE | Texas Southern |
| 3 | 66 | Marcus Buckley | LB | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 93 | Greg Bishop | T | Pacific |
| 5 | 123 | Tommy Thigpen | LB | North Carolina |
| 6 | 150 | Scott Davis | G | Iowa |
| 7 | 177 | Todd Peterson | K | Georgia |
| 8 | 207 | Jessie Armstead * | LB | Miami (FL) |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted Free Agents

1993 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Hassan Bailey | Defensive back | Kansas |
| Walter Bailey | Defensive back | Washington |
| Willie Beamon | Cornerback | Northern Iowa |
| Steve Brannon | Defensive end | Hampton |
| Eric Bruun | Punter | Purdue |
| Keith Crawford | Wide receiver | Howard Payne |
| Jamie Crysdale | Center | Cincinnati |
| Tico Duckett | Running back | Michigan State |
| Brian Fox | Quarterback | Florida |
| Jerold Jeffcoat | Defensive tackle | Temple |
| Brian Kozlowski | Tight end | UConn |

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue |
| 1 | August 7 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 27–16 | 1–0 | Riverfront Stadium |
| 2 | August 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 17–23 | 1–1 | Giants Stadium |
| 3 | August 21 | New York Jets | W 14–13 | 2–1 | Giants Stadium |
| 4 | August 28 | at Miami Dolphins | L 17–23 | 2–2 | Joe Robbie Stadium |

## Regular season

Simms started all 16 games in 1993, being one of only seven quarterbacks to do so, and led the Giants to a resurgent 11–5 season including a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. However, Simms underwent shoulder surgery after the 1993 season to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was successful, and team doctor Russell F. Warren's prognosis for recovery was excellent, and Simms was expected to be ready in time for training camp. However, later during that offseason, Simms was released by the Giants, and subsequently decided to retire. The Giants offense was coming off a sub-par 1992 season, so Dan Reeves and offensive coordinator George Henshaw added and adjusted schemes. The emphasis remained running the ball as the Full House and Power I formations were installed. Rodney Hampton and Phil Simms both made the pro bowl, each the driving force behind the offense. The Defense returned to its dominant ways; allowing an NFL-best 12.8 points per game, or 205 points all year. Lawrence Taylor would join Simms in retirement after the season, ending an era. The Giants finished the 1993 season first in overall defense and rushing offense.
The Giants played the Dolphins in Miami for the first time on December 5, only the fourth meeting between the clubs since the AFL-NFL merger. New York was scheduled to be the opponent for the Dolphins' first regular season game at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, but that game was cancelled by a players' strike.
The Giants qualified for the playoffs on December 12 with a win at Giants Stadium against the Colts, 35 years after the two teams met in "The Greatest Game Ever Played". However in week 18, the Cowboys and Giants met in the Meadowlands to conclude the regular season with huge stakes. The winner would win the NFC East and have home-field advantage as the NFC's #1 seed and have a week off, while the loser would have to play an extra week and host a wild card game against the Minnesota Vikings as the NFC's #4 seed. The Giants lost to the Cowboys 16–13 in overtime, making their road to the Super Bowl much harder.

### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 5 | at Chicago Bears | W 26–20 | 1–0 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 2 | September 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 23–7 | 2–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 19 | Los Angeles Rams | W 20–10 | 3–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | October 3 | at Buffalo Bills | L 14–17 | 3–1 | Rich Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 10 | at Washington Redskins | W 41–7 | 4–1 | RFK Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 17 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 21–10 | 5–1 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | October 31 | New York Jets | L 6–10 | 5–2 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 7 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 9–31 | 5–3 | Texas Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 14 | Washington Redskins | W 20–6 | 6–3 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 21 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 7–3 | 7–3 | Veterans Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | November 28 | Phoenix Cardinals | W 19–17 | 8–3 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 5 | at Miami Dolphins | W 19–14 | 9–3 | Joe Robbie Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 12 | Indianapolis Colts | W 20–6 | 10–3 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 20 | at New Orleans Saints | W 24–14 | 11–3 | Louisiana Superdome | Recap |
| 17 | December 26 | at Phoenix Cardinals | L 6–17 | 11–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | Recap |
| 18 | January 2, 1994 | Dallas Cowboys | L 13–16 (OT) | 11–5 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 3 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 26 |
| Bears | 0 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: September 5
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Light rain, 66 °F (19 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,900
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 19-yard field goal, 6:50. Giants 3–0.
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 35-yard field goal, 11:33. Giants 6–0.
NYG – David Treadwell 23-yard field goal, 7:00. Giants 9–0.
CHI – Terry Obee 2-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Kevin Butler kick), 0:03. Giants 9–7.
Third quarter
CHI – Myron Baker 5-yard blocked punt return Kevin Butler kick), 13:55. Bears 14–9.
CHI – Kevin Butler 20-yard field goal, 8:39. Bears 17–9.
NYG – Mark Jackson 40-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 0:19. Bears 17–16.
Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 36-yard field goal, 9:44. Giants 19–17.
CHI – Kevin Butler 34-yard field goal, 3:07. Bears 20–19.
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 1-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 1:07. Giants 26–20.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 24/34, 277 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Jim Harbaugh – 16/28, 178 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 22 rushes, 76 yards
CHI – Craig Heyward – 13 rushes, 51 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 6 receptions, 87 yards
CHI – Tom Waddle – 3 receptions, 62 yards :

#### Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Giants | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 12
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 75,891
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* TV announcers (CBS): Sean McDonough and Matt Millen
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 18-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 6:48. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 2-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 8:26. Giants 14–0.
TB – Tyji Armstrong 17-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Michael Husted kick), 3:58. Giants 14–7.
NYG – David Treadwell 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Giants 17–7.
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 9:37. Giants 20–7.
Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 46-yard field goal, 7:03. Giants 23–7.
Top passers
TB – Craig Erickson – 16/28, 174 yards, TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/26, 204 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Reggie Cobb – 16 rushes, 32 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 29 rushes, 134 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Lawrence Dawsey – 4 receptions, 70 yards
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 4 receptions, 69 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Giants | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Scattered clouds, 65 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,213
* Referee: Dale Hamer
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Randy Cross
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 9:41. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 34-yard field goal, 9:44. Giants 10–0.
LA – Tony Zendejas 52-yard field goal, 6:14. Giants 10–3.
NYG – David Treadwell 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Giants 13–3.
Third quarter
NYG – Mark Collins 50-yard interception return (David Treadwell kick), 4:32. Giants 20–3.
Fourth quarter
LA – Flipper Anderson 51-yard pass from Jim Everett (Tony Zendejas kick), 12:10. Giants 20–10.
Top passers
LA – Jim Everett – 11/28, 135 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 21/27, 217 yards
Top rushers
LA – Jerome Bettis – 9 rushes, 33 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 41 rushes, 134 yards, TD
Top receivers
LA – Flipper Anderson – 3 receptions, 63 yards, TD
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 7 receptions, 65 yards :

#### Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Bills | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: October 3
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 47 °F (8 °C)
* Game attendance: 79,283
* Referee: Gordon McCarter
* TV announcers (TNT): Gary Bender and Pat Haden
Game information :
First quarter
BUF – Steve Christie 24-yard field goal, 9:00. Bills 3–0.
BUF – Henry Jones 85-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick), 4:43. Bills 10–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Chris Calloway 5-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 6:15. Bills 10–7.
NYG – Mark Jackson 3-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 0:18. Giants 14–10.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Pete Metzelaars 8-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick), 2:27. Bills 17–14.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/28, 160 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
BUF – Jim Kelly – 14/25, 142 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 32 rushes, 86 yards
BUF – Thurman Thomas – 26 rushes, 122 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 2 receptions, 37 yards
BUF – Pete Metzelaars – 6 receptions, 44 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 20 | 0 | 14 | 41 |
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
* Date: October 10
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,715
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Lewis Tillman 3-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 4:18. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 7-yard pass from Phil Simms (kick failed), 9:43. Giants 13–0.
NYG – Mike Sherrard 42-yard pass from Dave Meggett (David Treadwell kick), 8:14. Giants 20–0.
NYG – Howard Cross 17-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 1:55. Giants 27–0.
WAS – Tim McGee 12-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick), 0:53. Giants 27–7.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Mike Sherrard 55-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 10:20. Giants 34–7.
NYG – Kenyon Rasheed 23-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 3:25. Giants 41–7.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 14/17, 182 yards, 3 TD
WAS – Mark Rypien – 21/35, 220 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 29 rushes, 104 yards, TD
WAS – Ricky Ervins – 2 rushes, 23 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
WAS – Tim McGee – 6 receptions, 72 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Giants | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,050
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
PHI – Matt Bahr 47-yard field goal, 14:52. Eagles 3–0.
NYG – Ed McCaffrey 17-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 10:07. Giants 7–3.
NYG – Lewis Tillman 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 3:53. Giants 14–3.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Lewis Tillman 10-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 10:07. Giants 21–3.
PHI – Mark Bavaro 13-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Matt Bahr kick), 5:56. Giants 21–10.
Top passers
PHI – Ken O'Brien – 19/32, 210 yards, TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 11/22, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
PHI – Herschel Walker – 15 rushes, 58 yards
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 20 rushes, 169 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
PHI – Mark Bavaro – 5 receptions, 69 yards, TD
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 1 reception, 51 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Giants | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 31
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Overcast, 44 °F (7 °C)
* Game attendance: 71,659
* Referee: Gerry Austin
* TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Paul Maguire
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 28-yard field goal, 0:29. Giants 3–0.
Second quarter
NYJ – Cary Blanchard 21-yard field goal, 9:05. Tied 3–3.
NYG – David Treadwell 23-yard field goal, 1:37. Giants 6–3.
Third quarter
NYJ – Brad Baxter 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 2:04. Jets 10–6.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
NYJ – Boomer Esiason – 12/17, 129 yards,
NYG – Phil Simms – 20/30, 142 yards, INT
Top rushers
NYJ – Brad Baxter – 19 rushes, 71 yards, TD
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 17 rushes, 70 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Johnny Johnson – 7 receptions, 69 yards
NYG – Mark Jackson – 6 receptions, 76 yards :

#### Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: November 7
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 64,735
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Eddie Murray 34-yard field goal, 7:23. Cowboys 3–0.
DAL – Alvin Harper 28-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Eddie Murray kick), 2:05. Cowboys 10–0.
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 11:07. Cowboys 10–3.
DAL – Alvin Harper 50-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Eddie Murray kick), 10:48. Cowboys 17–3.
NYG – David Treadwell 45-yard field goal, 6:39. Cowboys 17–6.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 11:22. Cowboys 24–6.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 2-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 9:02. Cowboys 31–6.
NYG – David Treadwell 29-yard field goal, 3:31. Cowboys 31–9.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/21, 155 yards
DAL – Troy Aikman – 11/13, 162 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 20 rushes, 82 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 24 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
NYG – Chris Calloway – 4 receptions, 87 yards
DAL – Alvin Harper – 3 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Giants | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 14
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,606
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 7:16. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Chris Calloway 21-yard pass from Dave Meggett (David Treadwell kick), 4:59. Giants 14–0.
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 43-yard field goal, 5:25. Giants 17–0.
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 27-yard field goal, 0:39. Giants 17–3.
Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 39-yard field goal, 6:23. Giants 20–3.
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 33-yard field goal, 3:41. Giants 20–6.
Top passers
WAS – Mark Rypien – 22/49, 239 yards, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 8/15, 100 yards, INT
Top rushers
WAS – Reggie Brooks – 22 rushes, 91 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 78 yards, TD
Top receivers
WAS – Ricky Sanders – 8 receptions, 91 yards
NYG – Mark Jackson – 5 receptions, 61 yards :

#### Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Eagles | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: November 21
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Partly sunny, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,928
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
No scoring plays.
Third quarter
PHI – Matt Bahr 35-yard field goal, 7:03. Eagles 3–0.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Mark Jackson 26-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 14:55. Giants 7–3.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 13/22, 187 yards, TD, INT
PHI – Bubby Brister – 9/20, 94 yards
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 101 yards
PHI – Herschel Walker – 14 rushes, 80 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Mark Jackson – 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD
PHI – Victor Bailey – 3 receptions, 54 yards :

#### Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Giants | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 28
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 59,979
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information :
First quarter
PHO – Greg Davis 47-yard field goal, 12:45. Cardinals 3–0.
PHO – Butch Rolle 1-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (Greg Davis kick), 2:19. Cardinals 10–0.
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 0:04. Cardinals 10–3.
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 37-yard field goal, 1:55. Cardinals 10–6.
Third quarter
NYG – Ed McCaffrey 20-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 7:40. Giants 13–10.
PHO – Ricky Proehl 17-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (Greg Davis kick), 2:24. Cardinals 17–13.
Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 12:56. Cardinals 17–16.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 54-yard field goal, 0:32. Giants 19–17.
Top passers
PHO – Steve Beuerlein – 19/33, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 22/41, 337 yards, TD
Top rushers
PHO – Ronald Moore – 17 rushes, 53 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 11 rushes, 18 yards
Top receivers
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 6 receptions, 81 yards
NYG – Mark Jackson – 7 receptions, 113 yards :

#### Week 14: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 19 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 5
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Scattered clouds, 74 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 72,161
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 14-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 9:19. Giants 7–0.
MIA – Keith Byars 6-yard run (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 6:13. Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 20-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 1:12. Giants 14–7.
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 42-yard field goal, 6:04. Giants 17–7.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Steve DeBerg tackled in end zone by Keith Hamilton for a safety, 5:19. Giants 19–7.
MIA – Tony Martin 25-yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 1:01. Giants 19–14.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 17/24, 257 yards, TD
MIA – Steve DeBerg – 26/41, 365 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 12 rushes, 60 yards, TD
MIA – Terry Kirby – 5 rushes, 18 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Aaron Pierce – 3 receptions, 98 yards
MIA – Terry Kirby – 8 receptions, 95 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Giants | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: December 12
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 28 °F (−2 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,411
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui, Beasley Reece and O. J. Simpson
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 7:46. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Chris Calloway 17-yard pass from Phil Simms (kick aborted), 14:15. Giants 13–0.
IND – Dean Biasucci 21-yard field goal, 10:51. Giants 13–3.
IND – Dean Biasucci 26-yard field goal, 1:15. Giants 13–6.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 2-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 14:57. Giants 20–6.
Top passers
IND – Jeff George – 22/38, 254 yards
NYG – Phil Simms – 9/15, 85 yards, TD
Top rushers
IND – Roosevelt Potts – 10 rushes, 33 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 33 rushes, 173 yards, TD
Top receivers
IND – Jessie Hester – 2 receptions, 75 yards
NYG – Chris Calloway – 2 receptions, 30 yards, TD :

#### Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Saints | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: December 20
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 69,036
* Referee: Johnny Grier
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Mark Jackson 9-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 4:45. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 17-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 7:47. Giants 14–0.
NO – Brad Muster 1-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 1:56. Giants 14–7.
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 2:48. Giants 17–7.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Dave Meggett 75-yard punt return (David Treadwell kick), 11:13. Giants 24–7.
NO – Dalton Hilliard 5-yard pass from Mike Buck (Morten Andersen kick), 1:40. Giants 24–14.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 15/23, 166 yards, 2 TD
NO – Mike Buck – 11/21, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 19 rushes, 65 yards
NO – Derek Brown – 6 rushes, 9 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Mark Jackson – 5 receptions, 44 yards
NO – Quinn Early – 4 receptions, 98 yards :

#### Week 17: at Phoenix Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 26
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: Overcast, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,414
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 19-yard field goal, 6:48. Giants 3–0.
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 12:55. Giants 6–0.
Third quarter
PHO – Greg Davis 20-yard field goal, 6:12. Giants 6–3.
PHO – Ronald Moore 19-yard run (Greg Davis kick), 2:01. Cardinals 10–6.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Ronald Moore 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick), 12:09. Cardinals 17–6.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 21/30, 214 yards
PHO – Steve Beuerlein – 15/24, 198 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 15 rushes, 38 yards
PHO – Ronald Moore – 23 rushes, 135 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 69 yards
PHO – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 84 yards :

#### Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cowboys | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| Giants | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: January 2
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 77,356
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Eddie Murray 32-yard field goal, 4:37. Cowboys 3–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 5-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Eddie Murray kick), 7:26. Cowboys 10–0.
DAL – Eddie Murray 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 13–0.
Third quarter
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 7:42. Cowboys 13–7.
NYG – David Treadwell 29-yard field goal, 1:20. Cowboys 13–10.
Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 32-yard field goal, 0:10. Tied 13–13.
Overtime
DAL – Eddie Murray 41-yard field goal, 4:16. Cowboys 16–13.
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman – 24/30, 180 yards, TD
NYG – Phil Simms – 16/25, 207 yards
Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 32 rushes, 168 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 30 rushes, 114 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 10 reception, 61 yards, TD
NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 58 yards :

### Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(1)}$ Dallas Cowboys | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 376 | 229 | W5 |
| $^{(4)}$ New York Giants | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 288 | 205 | L2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 293 | 315 | W3 |
| Phoenix Cardinals | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 326 | 269 | W3 |
| Washington Redskins | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 230 | 345 | L2 |

## Postseason

| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| Wild Card | January 9 | Minnesota Vikings (5) | W 17–10 | 1–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| Divisional Round | January 15 | at San Francisco 49ers (2) | L 3–44 | 1–1 | Candlestick Park | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Giants | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: January 9
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Sunny, 20 °F (−7 °C)
* Game attendance: 75,089
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 26-yard field goal, 8:35. Giants 3–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Cris Carter 40-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Fuad Reveiz kick), 1:53. Vikings 7–3.
MIN – Fuad Reveiz 52-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 10–3.
Third quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 51-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 12:06. Tied 10–10.
NYG – Rodney Hampton 2-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 5:37. Giants 17–10.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
MIN – Jim McMahon – 12/25, 145 yards, TD
NYG – Phil Simms – 17/26, 94 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Scottie Graham – 19 rushes, 69 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 33 rushes, 161 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 4 reception, 83 yards, TD
NYG – Chris Calloway – 2 receptions, 30 yards :
A howling, gusting wind dominated the game as both teams could only score with the wind. However, the Giants managed to score two touchdowns, both by running back Rodney Hampton in the third quarter, to pull ahead for good.
This was both the first playoff game and the first playoff win for the Giants since Super Bowl XXV.

#### NFC Divisional Round: at (2) San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 49ers | 9 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 44 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: January 15
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 67,143
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (kick failed), 10:33. 49ers 6–0.
SF – Mike Cofer 29-yard field goal, 4:53. 49ers 9–0.
Second quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 14:58. 49ers 16–0.
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 4:03. 49ers 23–0.
NYG – David Treadwell 25-yard field goal, 0:00. 49ers 23–3.
Third quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 6-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 7:38. 49ers 30–3.
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 1:09. 49ers 37–3.
Fourth quarter
SF – Marc Logan 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 12:26. 49ers 44–3.
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/25, 124 yards, 2 INT
SF – Steve Young – 17/22, 226 yards
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 7 rushes, 12 yards
SF – Ricky Watters – 24 rushes, 118 yards, 5 TD
Top receivers
NYG – Ed McCaffrey – 5 receptions, 59 yards
SF – John Taylor – 2 receptions, 74 yards :
49ers running back Ricky Watters rushed for 118 yards, caught 5 passes for 46 yards, and scored an NFL playoff record 5 touchdowns as San Francisco crushed the Giants, 44–3. This was the final NFL game for both Giants legends Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.