2010 New York Giants season
Encyclopedia
The 2010
New York Giants
season was the 86th season for the team in the National Football League
and the team's inaugural season in New Meadowlands Stadium
. The Giants improved on their 8–8 2009 record by finishing 10–6 and second place in the NFC East. However, they failed to make the playoffs for the second season in a row.
The Giants dedicated their 2010 season to the memory of Bob Sheppard
, the team's public address announcer from 1956 to 2005, who died on July 11.
and kicker Sam Swank
. Swank will provide competition for Lawrence Tynes
, the regular kicker of the team. On January 19 the team added tight end Carson Butler
who was signed after being dismissed by the Cincinnati Bengals
. The Giants continued to add players when on February 8 the team was awarded offensive tackle Herb Taylor
via waivers. They released starting inside linebacker and defensive team captain Antonio Pierce
on February 11. The team began to offer tenders to their restricted free agents in late February when all of them with the exception of cornerback Kevin Dockery
and tight end Darcy Johnson
were offered them. On March 5 the Giants made the biggest free agency acquisition of the year so far with the signing of safety Antrel Rolle
to a five-year, 37 million dollar contract making him one of the highest paid safeties in NFL history. Following the signing of Rolle the team waived safeties Aaron Rouse
and Londen Fryar. In early March the Giants lost their backup quarterback David Carr
to the San Francisco 49ers
and veteran defensive tackle Fred Robbins
to the St. Louis Rams
.
On March 9 the team signed quarterback Jim Sorgi
to a one-year deal. Sorgi was the backup for Eli Manning
's brother, Peyton
, in Indianapolis
since 2004 and was released in early March. On March 18 the Giants signed Australian punter Jy Bond
. On March 22 the team lost another two players to the St. Louis Rams: tight end Darcy Johnson
and cornerback Kevin Dockery
signed with the team. On April 1, punter Jeff Feagles
signed a one-year deal with the Giants making this his 7th season with the Giants and his 23rd season in the NFL. On the same day the Giants signed free-agent safety Deon Grant
and because of it they withdrew the tender they offer to restricted free-agent C.C. Brown. On April 30, punter Jeff Feagles retired from the NFL as one of the greatest punters ever only after a month after renewing his contract. After the Rookie Minicamp, on early May, the Giants signed undrafted linebacker Micah Johnson
to fill the 80-men roster for the offseason. On May 7 the team released undrafted quarterback Dominic Randolph
and signed Riley Skinner
to the spot as the fourth quarterback on the roster. On June 11 the team signed their first rookie, the safety Chad Jones
, drafted in the third round of the Draft. To open space in the roster the team released the kicker Sam Swank.
. The team wasn't awarded with any compensatory pick for the past offseason. In the first round of the Draft, after seeing his top targets being picked by other teams, the Giants selected DE Jason Pierre-Paul
with the 15th pick of the round, adding depth to the position. In the second day of the Draft the Giants bolstered even more his defensive line by drafting defensive tackle Linval Joseph
with the 46th pick in the second round. Then in the third round, with the pick 76 the Giants drafted safety Chad Jones
. In the third and final day of the Draft the team drafted four players. In the fourth round the Giants drafted linebacker Phillip Dillard
, supplying the biggest need in the team after the departure of Antonio Pierce
. In the fifth round the Giants drafted offensive guard Mitch Petrus
, their only offensive player of the whole process. In the sixth round the Giants drafted Adrian Tracy
, a versatile player who can play either as defensive end and linebacker. In the final round the team picked punter Matt Dodge
after some reports saying that veteran punter Jeff Feagles
is in the verge of retiring himself.
COLOR KEY & NOTES:
– clinched seed
– eliminated from playoff contention
in search of revenge against the Panthers, who had soundly defeated them in the last game at Giants Stadium
. In the first quarter, Carolina scored the stadium's first points as kicker John Kasay
got a 21-yard field goal. New York would answer with the stadium's first touchdown as quarterback Eli Manning
found wide receiver Hakeem Nicks
from 26 yards out. The Panthers would retake the lead in the second quarter as Kasay made field goals from 52 and 43 yards. Manning found Nicks again on a 19-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute left in the first half, but Carolina quarterback Matt Moore
completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith with six seconds remaining.
The Giants would get back on top in the third quarter as kicker Lawrence Tynes
nailed a 32-yard field goal, followed by Nicks' third touchdown of the game (a 6-yard catch). In the fourth quarter, the Giants added one more touchdown as running back Ahmad Bradshaw
ran for a 4-yard score. Carolina's Greg Hardy
blocked a Matt Dodge
punt out of the end zone to round out the scoring with a safety.
The Giants' historic win had come with a price, however; tight end Kevin Boss
left the game in the first quarter with a concussion, and Will Beatty, who filled in for Boss afterward, was benched with a broken foot. The Giants signed tight end Bear Pascoe
from their practice squad to play against the Colts.
. But the Giants didn't seem to have an answer for Peyton or the Colts' running game, which was led by Joseph Addai
and Donald Brown
.
The Giants were shut out at the half for the third time in their last four games (dating back to last year
) after the Colts scored the first 24 points of the night. Brown recorded a 7-yard scoring run, and Dallas Clark
and Austin Collie
caught touchdown passes of 50 and 3 yards, respectively. The Colts defense held the Giants to 75 yards of offense in the first half, including just 17 passing yards for Eli. The Giants finally got on the board on the first drive of the second half, when Eli connected with Mario Manningham
for a 54-yard strike. But on the Giants' next drive, an Eli fumble was picked up in the end zone by Fili Moala
, effectively taking the Giants out of the game. Two additional scores occurred in the fourth quarter; Peyton connected with Reggie Wayne
for a 10-yard score, and Eli threw a 31-yard touchdown to Week 1 star Nicks.
On a night when almost nothing went right for the Giants, Brandon Jacobs
caused a stir by throwing his helmet into the stands in the third quarter, which he later claimed was a botched expression of frustration. The NFL fined Jacobs $10,000 for the incident.
would later comment, "[T]he first thing you have to do is keep from beating yourself before you can beat the opponent and we didn't do that." The Giants accumulated 417 yards of offense, including 26 first downs, but scored only twice on 8 trips inside Tennessee territory.
New York quickly found themselves in a 10–0 hole after their first three possessions ended in two interceptions—one in the end zone—and a missed 53-yard field goal by Tynes. Toward the end of the first half, Tynes made a 50-yard field goal which the Giants followed up with a 10-yard Bradshaw touchdown run. But on their first drive of the second half, Bradshaw committed a chop block penalty in the end zone for a Tennessee safety. Tennessee quarterback Vince Young
connected with Kenny Britt
for a 13-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive, and the Titans never looked back. The Giants' next two possessions ended in a Bradshaw fumble and another Tynes miss, this one from 44 yards. The Titans added a Rob Bironas
field goal and a Chris Johnson
touchdown on their way to victory.
and Michael Strahan
in the stadium that night is credited with inspiring Perry Fewell
's struggling defensive squad.
The New York defense held the Bears to zero points, two first downs, and 22 yards of total offense in the first half, and sacked Jay Cutler
nine times before knocking him out of the game with a concussion. In total, the Bears put together only six first downs (one by penalty) and finished with the lowest final score of any Giants visitor since the Eagles in 2007. The Bears went on to lose backup quarterback Todd Collins to a hard Michael Boley
tackle; third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie
was called upon to play the fourth quarter. Justin Tuck
and Osi Umenyiora
were each responsible for three sacks on the night.
Manning and the Giants offense had their own difficulties putting points on the board, but second-half touchdowns by Bradshaw and Jacobs proved enough to win this defensive struggle. Nicks also had a notable day, catching eight passes for 110 yards.
provided Houston with their first touchdown of the day, but the newly-dominant Giants defense did not allow any further damage. Smith's 4-yard reception late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Giants.
made a 14-yard TD pass to WR Nate Burleson
. They replied when RB Brandon Jacobs
got a 4-yard TD run. They took the lead with QB Eli Manning
making a 33-yard TD pass to WR Mario Manningham
. The lead was cut when kicker Jason Hanson
nailed a 50-yard field goal. The Giants continued to score in the 3rd quarter with Manning finding TE Travis Beckum
on a 1-yard TD pass. The Lions responded in the 4th quarter with QB Drew Stanton
completing an 87-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson
, but the Giants pulled away with Jacobs making a 6-yard TD run. The Lions tried to rally but only came away with another 50-yard field goal by Hanson giving the Giants the win.
With the win, the Giants improved to 4–2.
was hit hard by linebacker Michael Boley
and left the game with a clavicle fracture
(Notably, Romo was the fifth quarterback the Giants defense knocked out of a game this year, after Moore, Cutler, Collins, and Hill). After Cowboys kick returner Dez Bryant
returned a Dodge punt 93 yards for a touchdown, the Giants scored two consecutive touchdowns; an 8-yard pass to Nicks and a 14-yard pass to Smith.
The Giants opened the second half with two more back-to-back touchdowns; a 25-yard pass to Manningham and a 30-yard Jacobs run. The Dallas offense, now led by veteran quarterback Jon Kitna
, showed signs of life in the fourth quarter as Bryant caught two 15-yard touchdown passes. But two failed onside kicks allowed the Giants to log their third straight win over their divisional foes and the fourth win of their current streak. New York went into their bye week tied for the best record in the NFC.
's first career start was one to forget; the Giants defense held Matt Hasselbeck
's backup to just 113 passing yards in New York's biggest win of the year to this point. The Giants scored 38 unanswered points in the first three quarters, including touchdowns by four different players; two Bradshaw runs, a 46-yard pass to Nicks, and short touchdown passes to Smith and Boss. Whitehurst finally recorded his first NFL touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 36-yard pass to receiver Ben Obomanu
. But the Giants put together a 13-minute drive, in which all snaps were taken by Sage Rosenfels
, to take nearly all the remaining time off the clock. The Giants had earned their first win at Seattle since 1981, and extended their winning streak to five games.
saw his season come to an end during this game by way of a torn Achilles tendon
. Former Giant Jason Garrett
was making his head coaching debut for a Cowboys team revitalized by the firing of head coach Wade Phillips
one week earlier.
The Dallas defense held the Giants to just 6 points in the first half, aided by cornerback Bryan McCann
's 101-yard "pick 6" from his own end zone. In a dimly-lit third quarter, after a bank of lights went dark, Felix Jones
extended the Cowboys' lead to 20 points on a 71-yard touchdown reception. Only after a total blackout caused an eight-minute play stoppage did Manning finally put the Giants' first touchdown on the board, in the form of a 5-yard pass to Manningham. The teams continued to trade touchdowns; a 24-yard pass from Kitna to Austin was followed by a 35-yard reception by Boss. But the Giants' turnover problem resurfaced in the fourth quarter, where a fumble and an interception ended up costing them any chance at a comeback.
to 34 rushing yards and no passing touchdowns.
After Vick scored the first points of the game on a 4-yard run, the focus moved to the defenses and the kicking games. The Giants defense saved their offense from two second-quarter turnovers by forcing several David Akers
field goal attempts, blocking one to end the first half. After losing Ellis Hobbs
to a neck injury sustained on the second-half kickoff, Philadelphia put together a drive that consumed more than eight minutes of clock, but were still held to another Akers field goal. The Giants' offense finally came to life on the next drive, as Manning connected with Beckum for a short touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Umenyiora forced the Eagles' first turnover of the year, stripping the ball away from Vick to set up backup receiver Derek Hagan
's first touchdown catch of the year (Hagan had been cut by the Giants prior to the season, but was re-signed the week before, after the extent of Barden's injury became apparent). Later, on a fourth down play, Eagles rusher LeSean McCoy
ran for a 50-yard touchdown, which wide receiver Jason Avant
followed with a two-point conversion catch. Unfortunately, as was the case last week in East Rutherford, the Giants thwarted their own comeback attempt with turnovers, committing three in the last five minutes of the game (including an interception which Philadelphia's Asante Samuel
fumbled right back to the Giants). The crusher was a fourth-down play on which Manning successfully rushed for the first down but fumbled while sliding headfirst; by rule, had he slid feet-first, the play would have been over and no fumble could have occurred. The Eagles turned the gift fumble into a game-clinching field goal.
caused by a leg injury in Philadelphia. The Giants had signed Michael Clayton during the week to bolster their receiving situation, but he saw little action in this game.
For the first three quarters, the Jaguars' defense held the Giants to three Tynes field goals; this was now the third straight game in which the Giants were held to 6 points or fewer in the first half. Rashad Jennings
and David Garrard
provided Jacksonville with two rushing touchdowns to take a 17–6 lead at halftime. The offense finally came to life at the end of the third quarter, when big plays by Jacobs and Boss set up a 26-yard Manningham touchdown reception followed by a two-point Bradshaw run. Later in the fourth quarter, Manning led the Giants down the field on a 6-play, 61-yard drive, culminating in a go-ahead 32-yard touchdown catch by Boss. The Jaguars threatened a comeback, and even made it into New York territory after the two-minute warning. But Justin Tuck
, Antrel Rolle
, Jason Pierre-Paul
, and Terrell Thomas
combined to sack Garrard on three consecutive plays, the last of which resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Rolle. The Giants had won their first turnover-free game of 2010, and tied the Eagles for the division lead.
passes. Former Redskin Devin Thomas
made an impact in his Giants debut by blocking a Hunter Smith
punt to set up Tynes' field goal and wrap up a crucial win. Notably, the Giants now held the distinction of being 3–1 all-time against potential Hall of Fame
coach Mike Shanahan
.
after their flight was diverted, while the operators of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
asked for more time to clear all the snow from the stadium's bubbled roof. The roof later collapsed, forcing the NFL to use Ford Field
in Detroit as an alternate site. The game aired on WNYW
in New York City
, WXXA-TV
in Albany
, and KMSP-TV
in Minneapolis-St. Paul, along with the Fox affiliates in Duluth
, Mankato and Rochester
. But even the disaster in Minneapolis was overshadowed by another major headline: Vikings quarterback Brett Favre
was listed as inactive for this game, ending his historic streak of 297 consecutive starts
. Tarvaris Jackson
, who was 2–0 in his career against the Giants, started in Favre's place.
Once again, the Giants drew strength from their running game, as Jacobs and Bradshaw combined for 219 yards rushing and two touchdowns. In the second quarter, Jacobs created his longest play of the season, a 73-yard run that set up his own short touchdown. After a by-now-typical shaky start from Manning that involved two interceptions, Manning closed out the first half with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Boss (Incidentally, news about another streak was lost in the talk about Favre: Manning was making his 100th consecutive start tonight). Bradshaw's touchdown came in the third quarter, on a 48-yard run that was also his longest of the season. The New York defense had an especially memorable night, holding the normally dominant Adrian Peterson to his lowest rushing output of the year, a paltry 26 yards. Umeniyora, Barry Cofield
, Rocky Bernard
, Dave Tollefson
, and Jonathan Goff
combined for four sacks, and Keith Bulluck
contributed an interception.
Unfortunately, the injury bug hit the Giants again in several key places. Special-teamer Clint Sintim
's season ended with a torn ACL
, and Bradshaw and Manningham both left the game early with injuries to the forearm and hip flexor, respectively. Diehl, Nicks, and Smith returned from their injuries, but Smith suffered a new injury to his hamstring
. Whether these players will be available for the crucial division game in Week 15 has yet to be determined.
With this win, the Giants rose to 9–4 and ensured that they will improve on last season's record of 8–8.
In the first quarter the Giants took the early lead as QB Eli Manning
completed a 35-yard TD pass to WR Mario Manningham
. The Eagles responded in the second quarter with kicker David Akers
getting a 34-yard field goal, but the Giants extended their lead after Manning found Manningham on a 33-yard TD pass, followed by kicker Lawrence Tynes
nailing a 25-yard field goal, then with Manning getting an 8-yard TD pass to WR Hakeem Nicks
. The Eagles cut the lead with QB Michael Vick
making an 8-yard TD pass to WR Jeremy Maclin
, but the Giants scored with Manning finding TE Kevin Boss
on an 8-yard TD pass. However, they failed to maintain this lead with Vick making a 65-yard TD pass to TE Brent Celek
, followed by his 4-yard scramble for a touchdown and then his 13-yard TD pass to Maclin to tie the game at 31. After the Giants went three and out Matt Dodge
's punt was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson
, giving the Giants a loss, and thus bringing their record down to 9–5. In calling the final play, Fox
commentator Joe Buck
said:
for an NFC duel with the Packers. In the first quarter the Giants trailed early with QB Aaron Rodgers
completing an 80 and a 3-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson
and to WR James Jones
respectively. The Giants replied to tie the game with QB Eli Manning
throwing a 36 and an 85-yard TD pass to WR Hakeem Nicks
and Mario Manningham
. They had further problems with FB John Kuhn
getting an 8-yard TD run, followed by kicker Mason Crosby
getting a 31-yard field goal. The Giants cut the lead with kicker Lawrence Tynes
nailing a 38-yard field goal, but fell further behind with Rodgers completing a 1 and a 5-yard TD run to TE Donald Lee and to Kuhn respectively. This was followed by Kuhn getting a 1-yard TD run.
With the loss, the Giants fell to 9–6.
hit a 20-yard field goal. This was followed by Brandon Jacobs
getting a 2-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed when QB Rex Grossman
threw a 1-yard TD pass to TE Fred Davis
, but the Giants extended their lead with QB Eli Manning
connecting to Mario Manningham
on a 92-yard TD pass. The lead was narrowed in the 4th quarter as Grossman completed a 64-yard TD pass to WR Anthony Armstrong, but the Giants defense held them on for the win.
Despite the win, the Giants failed to make the playoffs after Green Bay defeated Chicago. The Giants finished their regular season with a 10–6 record.
John Mara
announced Tom Coughlin
would return as head coach next season.
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the 86th season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the team's inaugural season in New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
. The Giants improved on their 8–8 2009 record by finishing 10–6 and second place in the NFC East. However, they failed to make the playoffs for the second season in a row.
The Giants dedicated their 2010 season to the memory of Bob Sheppard
Bob Sheppard
Robert Leo "Bob" Sheppard was the long-time public address announcer for numerous New York area college and professional sports teams, in particular the MLB New York Yankees , and the NFL New York Giants .Sheppard announced more than 4,500 Yankees baseball games over a period of 56 years,...
, the team's public address announcer from 1956 to 2005, who died on July 11.
Movement
With the upcoming uncapped season in the NFL, several Giants players who expected to become unrestricted free agents will be restricted free agents. The first move of the team in the offseason was to renew some of the contracts of players who were on the practice squad. Also in the beginning of the offseason the team signed three new players: defensive back Courtney Brown, fullback Jerome JohnsonJerome Johnson (American football)
Jerome Johnson is an American football fullback who is currently with the Arizona Cardinals. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
and kicker Sam Swank
Sam Swank
Sam Swank is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
. Swank will provide competition for Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
, the regular kicker of the team. On January 19 the team added tight end Carson Butler
Carson Butler
Carson Butler, Jr. is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
who was signed after being dismissed by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. The Giants continued to add players when on February 8 the team was awarded offensive tackle Herb Taylor
Herb Taylor (American football)
Herbert Reginald Taylor, II is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
via waivers. They released starting inside linebacker and defensive team captain Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce
Antonio Durran Pierce is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Arizona....
on February 11. The team began to offer tenders to their restricted free agents in late February when all of them with the exception of cornerback Kevin Dockery
Kevin Dockery
Kevin Dockery is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Mississippi State....
and tight end Darcy Johnson
Darcy Johnson
Darcy Johnson is an American football tight end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at UCF....
were offered them. On March 5 the Giants made the biggest free agency acquisition of the year so far with the signing of safety Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
to a five-year, 37 million dollar contract making him one of the highest paid safeties in NFL history. Following the signing of Rolle the team waived safeties Aaron Rouse
Aaron Rouse
Aaron Roosevelt Rouse is an American football safety for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
and Londen Fryar. In early March the Giants lost their backup quarterback David Carr
David Carr
David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
to the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
and veteran defensive tackle Fred Robbins
Fred Robbins
-Minnesota Vikings:Robbins was drafted on the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four-year $5.5 million deal with the Vikings. As a rookie in 2000, played in 8 games as a reserve and had 5 tackles and one sack. In 2001, played in 16 games with 12 starts and had...
to the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
.
On March 9 the team signed quarterback Jim Sorgi
Jim Sorgi
James Joseph "Jim" Sorgi, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
to a one-year deal. Sorgi was the backup for Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
's brother, Peyton
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
, in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
since 2004 and was released in early March. On March 18 the Giants signed Australian punter Jy Bond
Jy Bond
Jy Bond is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2009.Bond has also been a member of the New York Giants and Hartford Colonials....
. On March 22 the team lost another two players to the St. Louis Rams: tight end Darcy Johnson
Darcy Johnson
Darcy Johnson is an American football tight end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at UCF....
and cornerback Kevin Dockery
Kevin Dockery
Kevin Dockery is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Mississippi State....
signed with the team. On April 1, punter Jeff Feagles
Jeff Feagles
Jeffrey Allan Feagles is a retired American football punter. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988. He played college football at the University of Miami, and most recently played for the New York Giants of the National Football League.Feagles is...
signed a one-year deal with the Giants making this his 7th season with the Giants and his 23rd season in the NFL. On the same day the Giants signed free-agent safety Deon Grant
Deon Grant
Deon D'Marquis Grant is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
and because of it they withdrew the tender they offer to restricted free-agent C.C. Brown. On April 30, punter Jeff Feagles retired from the NFL as one of the greatest punters ever only after a month after renewing his contract. After the Rookie Minicamp, on early May, the Giants signed undrafted linebacker Micah Johnson
Micah Johnson
Micah Johnson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. Previously he played for the Miami Dolphins before being released on September 15, 2010. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
to fill the 80-men roster for the offseason. On May 7 the team released undrafted quarterback Dominic Randolph
Dominic Randolph
Dominic Randolph is an American football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent in the Arena Football League. He played college football at the College of the Holy Cross, and high school football at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio...
and signed Riley Skinner
Riley Skinner
Riley Skinner is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Wake Forest.-College career:...
to the spot as the fourth quarterback on the roster. On June 11 the team signed their first rookie, the safety Chad Jones
Chad Jones
Chad Jones is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Claremont Football Club in the West Australian Football League...
, drafted in the third round of the Draft. To open space in the roster the team released the kicker Sam Swank.
Free agents
| Position | Player | Free agency tag |
Date signed/released | 2010 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Vince Anderson Vince Anderson (American football) Vincent "Vince" Anderson is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
Released | June 21, 2010 | |
| P | Jy Bond Jy Bond Jy Bond is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a street free agent in 2009.Bond has also been a member of the New York Giants and Hartford Colonials.... |
Released | June 21, 2010 | Hartford Colonials (UFL) |
| OG/OT | Kevin Boothe Kevin Boothe Kevin Mark Boothe is an American football guard and offensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He played college football at Cornell University, and was selected in the sixth round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was the first player drafted from... |
RFA | April 1, 2010 | New York Giants |
| TE | Carson Butler Carson Butler Carson Butler, Jr. is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
Released | June 21, 2010 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
| S | C. C. Brown C. C. Brown Ceandris Nehemiah Brown is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... |
RFA | May 10, 2010 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
| DT | Anthony Bryant | Released | April 12, 2010 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
| LB | Lee Campbell | Released | June 21, 2010 | |
| QB | David Carr David Carr David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
UFA | March 7, 2010 | San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
| TE | Scott Chandler | ERFA | March 16, 2010 | New York Giants |
| LB | Danny Clark | UFA | May 11, 2010 | Houston Texans Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| DT | Barry Cofield Barry Cofield Barry Joseph Cofield, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.-High school years:... |
RFA | May 14, 2010 | New York Giants |
| CB | Kevin Dockery Kevin Dockery Kevin Dockery is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Mississippi State.... |
RFA | March 22, 2010 | St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
| P | Jeff Feagles Jeff Feagles Jeffrey Allan Feagles is a retired American football punter. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988. He played college football at the University of Miami, and most recently played for the New York Giants of the National Football League.Feagles is... |
UFA | April 1, 2010 | New York Giants |
| CB | Londen Fryar | Released | ||
| WR | Derek Hagan Derek Hagan Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006... |
RFA | May 10, 2010 | New York Giants |
| WR | Domenik Hixon Domenik Hixon Domenik Hixon is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:Hixon was born to an African American... |
RFA | April 16, 2010 | New York Giants |
| CB | D. J. Johnson | ERFA | April 16, 2010 | New York Giants |
| TE | Darcy Johnson Darcy Johnson Darcy Johnson is an American football tight end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at UCF.... |
RFA | March 22, 2010 | St. Louis Rams |
| LB | Micah Johnson Micah Johnson Micah Johnson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. Previously he played for the Miami Dolphins before being released on September 15, 2010. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Released | June 21, 2010 | |
| WR | Sinorice Moss Sinorice Moss Sinorice Travonce Moss is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Moss played college football at the University of Miami.... |
RFA | April 14, 2010 | New York Giants |
| LB | Antonio Pierce Antonio Pierce Antonio Durran Pierce is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Arizona.... |
Released | February 11, 2010 | retired |
| DT | Fred Robbins Fred Robbins -Minnesota Vikings:Robbins was drafted on the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four-year $5.5 million deal with the Vikings. As a rookie in 2000, played in 8 games as a reserve and had 5 tackles and one sack. In 2001, played in 16 games with 12 starts and had... |
UFA | March 8, 2010 | St. Louis Rams |
| S | Aaron Rouse Aaron Rouse Aaron Roosevelt Rouse is an American football safety for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
Released | March 6, 2010 | Omaha Nighthawks Omaha Nighthawks The Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD... (UFL) |
| K | Sam Swank Sam Swank Sam Swank is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
Released | ||
| DE | Dave Tollefson Dave Tollefson Dave Tollefson is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round, with the 253rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
RFA | March 24, 2010 | New York Giants |
| RB | DJ Ware | ERFA | March 15, 2010 | New York Giants |
| OT | Guy Whimper Guy Whimper Guy Whimper is an American football offensive tackle who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Whimper played college football at East Carolina University... |
RFA | April 12, 2010 | New York Giants |
| LB | Gerris Wilkinson Gerris Wilkinson Gerris Vernard Bowers Wilkinson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
RFA | April 28, 2010 | New York Giants |
| RFA: Restricted free agent Restricted free agent A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :... , UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent |
||||
2010 NFL Draft
After finishing the 2009 season with a 8–8 record, the Giants hold the 15th selection in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
. The team wasn't awarded with any compensatory pick for the past offseason. In the first round of the Draft, after seeing his top targets being picked by other teams, the Giants selected DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. His nickname is JPP. He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
with the 15th pick of the round, adding depth to the position. In the second day of the Draft the Giants bolstered even more his defensive line by drafting defensive tackle Linval Joseph
Linval Joseph
Linval Clement Joseph is an American football defensive tackle. He played college football at East Carolina. Joseph was chosen by the New York Giants in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft.-External links:**...
with the 46th pick in the second round. Then in the third round, with the pick 76 the Giants drafted safety Chad Jones
Chad Jones (American football)
Chad D'Orsey Jones is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football and college baseball at Louisiana State.-Early years:Jones attended St...
. In the third and final day of the Draft the team drafted four players. In the fourth round the Giants drafted linebacker Phillip Dillard
Phillip Dillard
Phillip Dillard is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He attended Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he was rated as one of the nation's top high school...
, supplying the biggest need in the team after the departure of Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce
Antonio Durran Pierce is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Arizona....
. In the fifth round the Giants drafted offensive guard Mitch Petrus
Mitch Petrus
Mitch Petrus is an American football guard for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas....
, their only offensive player of the whole process. In the sixth round the Giants drafted Adrian Tracy
Adrian Tracy
Adrian D'Sean Tracy is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Giants. Tracy played college football at the College of William & Mary....
, a versatile player who can play either as defensive end and linebacker. In the final round the team picked punter Matt Dodge
Matt Dodge
-New York Giants:Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team...
after some reports saying that veteran punter Jeff Feagles
Jeff Feagles
Jeffrey Allan Feagles is a retired American football punter. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988. He played college football at the University of Miami, and most recently played for the New York Giants of the National Football League.Feagles is...
is in the verge of retiring himself.
| Draft order | Player name | Position | Height | Weight | College | Contract | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Choice | Overall | |||||||
| 1 | 15 | 15 | Jason Pierre-Paul Jason Pierre-Paul Jason Pierre-Paul is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. His nickname is JPP. He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft... |
DE | 6 ft 5 in | 270 lbs | South Florida South Florida Bulls football The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus... |
||
| 2 | 14 | 46 | Linval Joseph Linval Joseph Linval Clement Joseph is an American football defensive tackle. He played college football at East Carolina. Joseph was chosen by the New York Giants in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft.-External links:**... |
DT | 6 ft 6 in | 322 lbs | East Carolina East Carolina Pirates football The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and... |
||
| 3 | 12 | 76 | Chad Jones Chad Jones (American football) Chad D'Orsey Jones is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football and college baseball at Louisiana State.-Early years:Jones attended St... |
S | 6 ft 3 in | 231 lbs | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
Four years, $2.615 million | |
| 4 | 17 | 115 | Phillip Dillard Phillip Dillard Phillip Dillard is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He attended Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he was rated as one of the nation's top high school... |
LB | 6 ft 1 in | 240 lbs | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... |
Four years, $2.28 million | |
| 5 | 16 | 147 | Mitch Petrus Mitch Petrus Mitch Petrus is an American football guard for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas.... |
OG | 6 ft 3 in | 310 lbs | Arkansas Arkansas Razorbacks football The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
||
| 6 | 15 | 184 | Adrian Tracy Adrian Tracy Adrian D'Sean Tracy is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Giants. Tracy played college football at the College of William & Mary.... |
DE/LB | 6 ft 3 in | 248 lbs | William & Mary William & Mary Tribe football The William & Mary Tribe are a college football team representing the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. William & Mary currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision. As of 2010, Jimmye Laycock is in his 31st... |
Four years, $1.895 million | |
| 7 | 14 | 221 | Matt Dodge Matt Dodge -New York Giants:Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team... |
P | 6 ft 1 in | 224 lbs | East Carolina East Carolina Pirates football The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and... |
||
Undrafted free agents
Following the 2010 NFL Draft the New York Giants signed with twelve undrafted free agents. They were:
|
Victor Cruz (American football) Victor Cruz is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was an undrafted free agent signed by the Giants in the offseason... (Massachusetts UMass Minutemen football The UMass Minutemen football team is a collegiate football team that has finished its last season in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision and the Colonial Athletic Association in 2011. UMass began play in 1879 and have since appeared in three National Championship games, winning the title in... ) Dennis Landolt Dennis Patrick Landolt is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010... (Penn State Penn State Nittany Lions football The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the... ) Dominic Randolph Dominic Randolph is an American football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent in the Arena Football League. He played college football at the College of the Holy Cross, and high school football at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio... (Holy Cross Holy Cross Crusaders football The Holy Cross Crusaders football team is the collegiate football program of the College of the Holy Cross. The team is a member of the Patriot League, an NCAA Division I conference that participates in the second-level Football Championship Subdivision, more commonly known as FCS or the... ) Rutgers Scarlet Knights football The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play... ) Minnesota Golden Gophers football The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as... ) Richmond Spiders football The Richmond Spiders are a college football team representing the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond was the Division I Football Championship Subdivision champion for the 2008 season. Richmond currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I... ) |
Roster
Staff changes
- On January 4, 2010, the Giants fired first-year defensive coordinator Bill SheridanBill SheridanBill Sheridan is an American football coach who is currently the inside linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was a coach for a number of college teams, including Notre Dame and Michigan State. From 2005 to 2008 he was the linebackers coach for the New York...
after the Giants defense slipped as the team dropped 8 of their last 11 games and allowed 40 points on five different occasions. On January 14 the team signed Perry FewellPerry FewellPerry Fewell is an American football coach who currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator of the New York Giants. Before that he served as the interim head coach and defensive coordinator of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills...
, former interim head coach of the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - On January 6, 2010, the Giants fired defensive line coach Mike WaufleMike WaufleMike Waufle is an American football coach. He currently serves as defensive line coach under head coach Hue Jackson for the Oakland Raiders. Waufle has also served as defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders from 1998–2003. Waufle has coached at the college and pro level, and also as both...
, after a disappointing season by the Giants defensive line. On January 27 the team hired Robert NunnRobert NunnRobert Nunn is the defensive line coach for the New York Giants. He played linebacker at Oklahoma State.Nunn joined the Green Bay Packers on February 8, 2005 as a defensive tackles coach, but was let go along with the majority of the defensive coaching staff after a disappointing 2008 season...
to the position. Nunn was working as co-defensive line coach at the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. - On January 29, 2010 the Giants quarterbacks coach Chris PalmerChris Palmer (football coach)Chris Palmer is the offensive coordinator of the American football NFL's Tennessee Titans. He is the former head coach of the Hartford Colonials in the United Football League, and also a former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and former assistant coach of the Houston Texans, Jacksonville...
retired from the NFL to become the new head coach of the Hartford Colonials in the UFL. On February 12 the team moved wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan to quarterbacks coach. - On February 12, 2010 the Giants moved wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan to quarterbacks coach. With this the team promoted offensive quality control coach Sean Ryan to the position.
- On February 12, 2010 the Giants promoted offensive quality control coach Sean Ryan to the wide receivers coach position. On February 22 the Giants hired Kevin Gilbride, Jr. to the position.
Staff
| New York Giants 2010 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Team Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
|||||
Preseason
The Giants preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010. The exact dates and times of the remaining preseason games were announced on April 20, together with the regular season schedule.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 16 | 8:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
at New York Jets 2010 New York Jets season The 2010 New York Jets season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League, the 51st season overall and the team's first season at New Meadowlands Stadium. The team improved on their 9–7 record from 2009 and reached the playoffs again. The Jets played their first pre-season game... |
W 31–16 | 1–0 | New Meadowlands Stadium New Meadowlands Stadium MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home... |
ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 21 | 7:00 p.m. EDT | Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 78th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League and the eleventh season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin... |
L 17–24 | 1–1 | New Meadowlands Stadium | WNBC WNBC WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan... |
Recap |
| 3 | August 28 | 7:30 p.m. EDT | at Baltimore Ravens 2010 Baltimore Ravens season The 2010 Baltimore Ravens season was the 15th for the team in the National Football League and city of Baltimore, Maryland, and the 13th to host home games at M&T Bank Stadium. They played in the NFL's American Football Conference North Division... |
L 10–24 | 1–2 | M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of... |
WNBC | Recap |
| 4 | September 2 | 7:00 p.m. EDT | New England Patriots 2010 New England Patriots season The 2010 New England Patriots season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets... |
W 20–17 | 2–2 | New Meadowlands Stadium | WNBC | Recap |
Regular season
The Giants' 2010 schedule was announced on April 20, 2010.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 12 | 1:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
Carolina Panthers 2010 Carolina Panthers season -Coaching staff:-Preseason:The Panthers preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.-Regular season:-Week 1: at New York Giants:The Panthers began their season at New Meadowlands Stadium for an NFC duel with the New York Giants. In the first quarter, Carolina got the stadium's very first... |
W 31–18 | 1–0 | New Meadowlands Stadium New Meadowlands Stadium MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 2 | September 19 | 8:20 p.m. EDT | at Indianapolis Colts 2010 Indianapolis Colts season The 2010 Indianapolis Colts season was the 58th season for the team in the National Football League, the 27th in Indianapolis, and the second under head coach Jim Caldwell... |
L 14–38 | 1–1 | Lucas Oil Stadium Lucas Oil Stadium Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to... |
NBC NBC Sunday Night Football NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color... |
Recap |
| 3 | September 26 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Tennessee Titans 2010 Tennessee Titans season The 2010 Tennessee Titans season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League, their 51st overall and their 14th season in Tennessee... |
L 10–29 | 1–2 | New Meadowlands Stadium | CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 4 | October 3 | 8:20 p.m. EDT | Chicago Bears 2010 Chicago Bears season The 2010 Chicago Bears season was the franchise's 91st season overall in the National Football League. Coming off a disappointing 7–9 record in the 2009 season and failing to qualify for the NFL playoffs for a third consecutive season, the Bears sought to develop their roster and improve on... |
W 17–3 | 2–2 | New Meadowlands Stadium | NBC | Recap |
| 5 | October 10 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Houston Texans 2010 Houston Texans season The 2010 Houston Texans season was the team's 9th season in the National Football League. The Texans claimed their first winning season in franchise history, with a 9–7 record in 2009, but narrowly missed the playoffs. The Texans selected Kareem Jackson CB from Alabama, with the 20th overall all... |
W 34–10 | 3–2 | Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface.... |
Fox | Recap |
| 6 | October 17 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Detroit Lions 2010 Detroit Lions season The 2010 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 81st season in the NFL. It was Jim Schwartz's second season as head coach. The Lions spent most of the season at the bottom of their division, but with more division wins than the Vikings , the Lions ended up at 3rd place on the final day of the... |
W 28–20 | 4–2 | New Meadowlands Stadium | Fox | Recap |
| 7 | October 25 | 8:30 p.m. EDT | at Dallas Cowboys 2010 Dallas Cowboys season The 2010 Dallas Cowboys season is the 51st season for the team in the National Football League, and the second season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium... |
W 41–35 | 5–2 | Cowboys Stadium | ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap |
| 8 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 9 | November 7 | 4:05 p.m. EST | at Seattle Seahawks 2010 Seattle Seahawks season The 2010 Seattle Seahawks season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League. Jim Mora was fired on January 8, 2010, leading the Seahawks to come to an agreement with Pete Carroll, instating him as head coach the following day. This marks the 9th season that the Seahawks will... |
W 41–7 | 6–2 | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
Fox | Recap |
| 10 | November 14 | 4:15 p.m. EST | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
L 20–33 | 6–3 | New Meadowlands Stadium | Fox | Recap |
| 11 | November 21 | 8:30 p.m. EST | at Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th... |
L 17–27 | 6–4 | Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex... |
NBC | Recap |
| 12 | November 28 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Jacksonville Jaguars 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 16th season for the team in the National Football League. The Jaguars, who are in their second year of "rebuilding" under general manager Gene Smith, improved upon their 7–9 record from 2009, but narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record... |
W 24–20 | 7–4 | New Meadowlands Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 13 | December 5 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Washington Redskins 2010 Washington Redskins season The 2010 Washington Redskins season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , and their first under new head coach Mike Shanahan, who also began his term as the team's Vice President of Football Operations... |
W 31–7 | 8–4 | New Meadowlands Stadium | Fox | Recap |
| 14 | December 13** | 7:20 p.m. EST** | at Minnesota Vikings 2010 Minnesota Vikings season The 2010 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 50th season in the National Football League, and the fifth under head coach Brad Childress until November 22, when he was fired and Leslie Frazier was named interim head coach... |
W 21–3 | 9–4 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... ** |
Fox | Recap |
| 15 | December 19 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 31–38 | 9–5 | New Meadowlands Stadium | Fox | Recap |
| 16 | December 26 | 4:15 p.m. EST | at Green Bay Packers 2010 Green Bay Packers season The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 90th season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. With a record of 10–6, the Packers entered the playoffs as the NFC's sixth seed... |
L 17–45 | 9–6 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
Fox | Recap |
| 17 | January 2 | 4:15 p.m. EST | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 17–14 | 10–6 | FedEx Field | Fox | Recap |
COLOR KEY & NOTES:
- Bold indicates division games.
- Indicates that the game time was rescheduled from December 12 to December 13 and moved to Ford Field in Detroit due to inclement weather and the roof collapse of the Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeThe Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
.
Standings
– clinched playoff berth – clinched division title – clinched division title and first round bye – clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs– clinched seed
– eliminated from playoff contention
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Giants opened their new homeNew Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
in search of revenge against the Panthers, who had soundly defeated them in the last game at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
. In the first quarter, Carolina scored the stadium's first points as kicker John Kasay
John Kasay
John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia...
got a 21-yard field goal. New York would answer with the stadium's first touchdown as quarterback Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
found wide receiver Hakeem Nicks
Hakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
from 26 yards out. The Panthers would retake the lead in the second quarter as Kasay made field goals from 52 and 43 yards. Manning found Nicks again on a 19-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute left in the first half, but Carolina quarterback Matt Moore
Matt Moore (American football)
Matthew Erickson Moore is an American Football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He played college football at UCLA and Oregon State...
completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith with six seconds remaining.
The Giants would get back on top in the third quarter as kicker Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
nailed a 32-yard field goal, followed by Nicks' third touchdown of the game (a 6-yard catch). In the fourth quarter, the Giants added one more touchdown as running back Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants...
ran for a 4-yard score. Carolina's Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers. He was drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ole Miss.-Early years:...
blocked a Matt Dodge
Matt Dodge
-New York Giants:Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team...
punt out of the end zone to round out the scoring with a safety.
The Giants' historic win had come with a price, however; tight end Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League...
left the game in the first quarter with a concussion, and Will Beatty, who filled in for Boss afterward, was benched with a broken foot. The Giants signed tight end Bear Pascoe
Bear Pascoe
McKenna "Bear" Pascoe is an American football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
from their practice squad to play against the Colts.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
The second "Manning Bowl" was only the second time in NFL history that two brothers started opposite each other at quarterback, in a game which was expected to be an offensive struggle between Eli and his older brother PeytonPeyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
. But the Giants didn't seem to have an answer for Peyton or the Colts' running game, which was led by Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
and Donald Brown
Donald Brown (American football)
Donald Eugene Brown II is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the University of Connecticut Huskies from 2006 to 2008.-High school career:Brown attended Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New...
.
The Giants were shut out at the half for the third time in their last four games (dating back to last year
2009 New York Giants season
The 2009 New York Giants season was the 85th season for the team in the National Football League. It was the team's final season in Giants Stadium; In 2010, the Giants moved into New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants hoped to improve upon their 12–4 record, avenge their divisional round loss to the...
) after the Colts scored the first 24 points of the night. Brown recorded a 7-yard scoring run, and Dallas Clark
Dallas Clark
Dallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa...
and Austin Collie
Austin Collie
Austin Kirk Collie is a Canadian-American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Colts in the fourth round in the 2009 NFL Draft...
caught touchdown passes of 50 and 3 yards, respectively. The Colts defense held the Giants to 75 yards of offense in the first half, including just 17 passing yards for Eli. The Giants finally got on the board on the first drive of the second half, when Eli connected with Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
for a 54-yard strike. But on the Giants' next drive, an Eli fumble was picked up in the end zone by Fili Moala
Fili Moala
Fili Moala is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, effectively taking the Giants out of the game. Two additional scores occurred in the fourth quarter; Peyton connected with Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
for a 10-yard score, and Eli threw a 31-yard touchdown to Week 1 star Nicks.
On a night when almost nothing went right for the Giants, Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
caused a stir by throwing his helmet into the stands in the third quarter, which he later claimed was a botched expression of frustration. The NFL fined Jacobs $10,000 for the incident.
Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans
Giants miscues were the story of this game; as head coach Tom CoughlinTom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
would later comment, "[T]he first thing you have to do is keep from beating yourself before you can beat the opponent and we didn't do that." The Giants accumulated 417 yards of offense, including 26 first downs, but scored only twice on 8 trips inside Tennessee territory.
New York quickly found themselves in a 10–0 hole after their first three possessions ended in two interceptions—one in the end zone—and a missed 53-yard field goal by Tynes. Toward the end of the first half, Tynes made a 50-yard field goal which the Giants followed up with a 10-yard Bradshaw touchdown run. But on their first drive of the second half, Bradshaw committed a chop block penalty in the end zone for a Tennessee safety. Tennessee quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
connected with Kenny Britt
Kenny Britt
-Tennessee Titans:Kenny Britt was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was Rutgers' first ever first-round pick. This was a surprising pick because many thought that he would be selected by the New York Giants with the pick immediately before the Titans picked...
for a 13-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive, and the Titans never looked back. The Giants' next two possessions ended in a Bradshaw fumble and another Tynes miss, this one from 44 yards. The Titans added a Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
field goal and a Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson (running back)
Christopher Duan Johnson is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League...
touchdown on their way to victory.
Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears
This Sunday night featured the introduction of the Giants' Ring of Honor, which included 30 historic players, coaches, and administrators. The presence of such defensive greats as Jessie ArmsteadJessie Armstead
Jessie Willard Armstead is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played for eleven seasons with the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins between 1993 and 2003. He played college football at the University of Miami.-High school career:Armstead attended...
and Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan
Michael Anthony Strahan is a former National Football League defensive end who played his entire career for the New York Giants; a career where he set the record for the most sacks in a single season and won a Super Bowl in his final year. He is currently a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and...
in the stadium that night is credited with inspiring Perry Fewell
Perry Fewell
Perry Fewell is an American football coach who currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator of the New York Giants. Before that he served as the interim head coach and defensive coordinator of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills...
's struggling defensive squad.
The New York defense held the Bears to zero points, two first downs, and 22 yards of total offense in the first half, and sacked Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (American football)
Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
nine times before knocking him out of the game with a concussion. In total, the Bears put together only six first downs (one by penalty) and finished with the lowest final score of any Giants visitor since the Eagles in 2007. The Bears went on to lose backup quarterback Todd Collins to a hard Michael Boley
Michael Boley
Michael Boley is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Miss.-Early years:Boley played high school football for Elkmont High...
tackle; third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie
Caleb Hanie
Caleb Jeffrey Hanie is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played high school football for Forney High School in Forney, Texas and led his team to consecutive top 3 finishes in...
was called upon to play the fourth quarter. Justin Tuck
Justin Tuck
Justin Lee Tuck is an American football defensive end for the National Football League's New York Giants.A former standout defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tuck currently plays in the National Football League for the New York Giants. His cousin Adalius Thomas was also a former...
and Osi Umenyiora
Osi Umenyiora
-2003:Umenyiora was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Troy State University, now Troy University. He was number 72. As a rookie in 2003, he played in 13 games with one start.-2005:...
were each responsible for three sacks on the night.
Manning and the Giants offense had their own difficulties putting points on the board, but second-half touchdowns by Bradshaw and Jacobs proved enough to win this defensive struggle. Nicks also had a notable day, catching eight passes for 110 yards.
Week 5: at Houston Texans
The upstart 3–1 Texans were slightly favored in this matchup, but the Giants took control of the game right away. They scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives in the first half, including two Nicks receptions of 6 and 12 yards. This was Nicks' second consecutive 100-yard receiving game, and he was now among the top 10 receivers league-wide in receptions, receiving yards, receptions of 20+ yards, and receiving touchdowns for the season. Jacobs also contributed a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. In the third quarter, former Giant Derrick WardDerrick Ward
Derrick LaRon Ward is an American football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State University and Ottawa University...
provided Houston with their first touchdown of the day, but the newly-dominant Giants defense did not allow any further damage. Smith's 4-yard reception late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Giants.
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Hoping to increase their winning streak the Giants played at home ground for an NFC duel with the Lions. In the first quarter the Giants trailed early as QB Shaun HillShaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
made a 14-yard TD pass to WR Nate Burleson
Nate Burleson
Nathaniel Burleson is an American football player, who currently plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . Burleson played college football for the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2003 NFL...
. They replied when RB Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
got a 4-yard TD run. They took the lead with QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
making a 33-yard TD pass to WR Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. The lead was cut when kicker Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
nailed a 50-yard field goal. The Giants continued to score in the 3rd quarter with Manning finding TE Travis Beckum
Travis Beckum
Travis Beckum is an American football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.-Early years:Travis Beckum played football for Oak Creek High School. He...
on a 1-yard TD pass. The Lions responded in the 4th quarter with QB Drew Stanton
Drew Stanton
Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:...
completing an 87-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
, but the Giants pulled away with Jacobs making a 6-yard TD run. The Lions tried to rally but only came away with another 50-yard field goal by Hanson giving the Giants the win.
With the win, the Giants improved to 4–2.
Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys
Turnovers had been a nagging problem for the Giants all year, and it seemed their first division game of 2010 would be no exception; their first two drives ended in interceptions off receivers' hands, giving the struggling Cowboys an early 10–0 lead. The Giants finally got on the board late in the first quarter courtesy of a 7-yard Nicks reception. Following a Giants fumble in the second quarter, Dallas quarterback Tony RomoTony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
was hit hard by linebacker Michael Boley
Michael Boley
Michael Boley is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Miss.-Early years:Boley played high school football for Elkmont High...
and left the game with a clavicle fracture
Clavicle fracture
A clavicle fracture is a bone fracture in the clavicle, or collarbone. It is often caused by a fall onto an outstretched upper extremity, a fall onto a shoulder, or a direct blow to the clavicle...
(Notably, Romo was the fifth quarterback the Giants defense knocked out of a game this year, after Moore, Cutler, Collins, and Hill). After Cowboys kick returner Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant
- 2010 - Rookie Season :Bryant was signed by the Cowboys to a contract very similar to that of Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin on July 22, 2010. On July 23, 2010, it was announced that Bryant will wear number 88, the same as Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, and Cowboys legend Drew Pearson...
returned a Dodge punt 93 yards for a touchdown, the Giants scored two consecutive touchdowns; an 8-yard pass to Nicks and a 14-yard pass to Smith.
The Giants opened the second half with two more back-to-back touchdowns; a 25-yard pass to Manningham and a 30-yard Jacobs run. The Dallas offense, now led by veteran quarterback Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
, showed signs of life in the fourth quarter as Bryant caught two 15-yard touchdown passes. But two failed onside kicks allowed the Giants to log their third straight win over their divisional foes and the fourth win of their current streak. New York went into their bye week tied for the best record in the NFC.
Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks
Seattle quarterback Charlie WhitehurstCharlie Whitehurst
Charles David Whitehurst is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
's first career start was one to forget; the Giants defense held Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
's backup to just 113 passing yards in New York's biggest win of the year to this point. The Giants scored 38 unanswered points in the first three quarters, including touchdowns by four different players; two Bradshaw runs, a 46-yard pass to Nicks, and short touchdown passes to Smith and Boss. Whitehurst finally recorded his first NFL touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 36-yard pass to receiver Ben Obomanu
Ben Obomanu
Benjamin Ebenezer Obomanu is an American football wide receiver who was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Obomanu played college football for the Auburn Tigers.-High School years:...
. But the Giants put together a 13-minute drive, in which all snaps were taken by Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from...
, to take nearly all the remaining time off the clock. The Giants had earned their first win at Seattle since 1981, and extended their winning streak to five games.
Week 10: vs. Dallas Cowboys
A power outage that disrupted play in the third quarter served as a fitting metaphor for the Giants' general lack of power on the field this night. Smith was sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle suffered during practice, and backup receiver Ramses BardenRamses Barden
Ramses Barden is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
saw his season come to an end during this game by way of a torn Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
. Former Giant Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett
Jason Calvin Garrett is an American former National Football League player and the current head coach of the Dallas Cowboys...
was making his head coaching debut for a Cowboys team revitalized by the firing of head coach Wade Phillips
Wade Phillips
Wade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
one week earlier.
The Dallas defense held the Giants to just 6 points in the first half, aided by cornerback Bryan McCann
Bryan McCann
Bryan McCann is an American football cornerback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
's 101-yard "pick 6" from his own end zone. In a dimly-lit third quarter, after a bank of lights went dark, Felix Jones
Felix Jones
Felix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft...
extended the Cowboys' lead to 20 points on a 71-yard touchdown reception. Only after a total blackout caused an eight-minute play stoppage did Manning finally put the Giants' first touchdown on the board, in the form of a 5-yard pass to Manningham. The teams continued to trade touchdowns; a 24-yard pass from Kitna to Austin was followed by a 35-yard reception by Boss. But the Giants' turnover problem resurfaced in the fourth quarter, where a fumble and an interception ended up costing them any chance at a comeback.
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were coming off their highest scoring game of the year, having put up 59 points against the Redskins on Monday night. By contrast, this Sunday night game was a defensive struggle in which the Giants held the normally-speedy Michael VickMichael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
to 34 rushing yards and no passing touchdowns.
After Vick scored the first points of the game on a 4-yard run, the focus moved to the defenses and the kicking games. The Giants defense saved their offense from two second-quarter turnovers by forcing several David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
field goal attempts, blocking one to end the first half. After losing Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs III is a former American football cornerback who played for six seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for Iowa State. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played for them from 2005–2008...
to a neck injury sustained on the second-half kickoff, Philadelphia put together a drive that consumed more than eight minutes of clock, but were still held to another Akers field goal. The Giants' offense finally came to life on the next drive, as Manning connected with Beckum for a short touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Umenyiora forced the Eagles' first turnover of the year, stripping the ball away from Vick to set up backup receiver Derek Hagan
Derek Hagan
Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006...
's first touchdown catch of the year (Hagan had been cut by the Giants prior to the season, but was re-signed the week before, after the extent of Barden's injury became apparent). Later, on a fourth down play, Eagles rusher LeSean McCoy
LeSean McCoy
-Philadelphia Eagles:McCoy was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 29, 2009....
ran for a 50-yard touchdown, which wide receiver Jason Avant
Jason Avant
Jason Raye Avant is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
followed with a two-point conversion catch. Unfortunately, as was the case last week in East Rutherford, the Giants thwarted their own comeback attempt with turnovers, committing three in the last five minutes of the game (including an interception which Philadelphia's Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
fumbled right back to the Giants). The crusher was a fourth-down play on which Manning successfully rushed for the first down but fumbled while sliding headfirst; by rule, had he slid feet-first, the play would have been over and no fumble could have occurred. The Eagles turned the gift fumble into a game-clinching field goal.
Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Coach Coughlin's former team dominated the Giants in 2006, when he faced them for the first time. For this rematch, the Giants were without their two star receivers; Smith's pectoral injury caused him to miss his third game, while Nicks underwent treatment for compartment syndromeCompartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a limb threatening and life threatening condition, defined as the compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle inside a closed space within the body . This leads to tissue death from lack of oxygenation due to the blood vessels being compressed by the raised pressure...
caused by a leg injury in Philadelphia. The Giants had signed Michael Clayton during the week to bolster their receiving situation, but he saw little action in this game.
For the first three quarters, the Jaguars' defense held the Giants to three Tynes field goals; this was now the third straight game in which the Giants were held to 6 points or fewer in the first half. Rashad Jennings
Rashad Jennings
Rashad Jennings is an American football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Liberty.-College career:He went to Pittsburgh in 2005 and became only the...
and David Garrard
David Garrard
David Douglas Garrard is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent.Garrard played college football at East Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and served as the team's starting quarterback from 2007 to 2010...
provided Jacksonville with two rushing touchdowns to take a 17–6 lead at halftime. The offense finally came to life at the end of the third quarter, when big plays by Jacobs and Boss set up a 26-yard Manningham touchdown reception followed by a two-point Bradshaw run. Later in the fourth quarter, Manning led the Giants down the field on a 6-play, 61-yard drive, culminating in a go-ahead 32-yard touchdown catch by Boss. The Jaguars threatened a comeback, and even made it into New York territory after the two-minute warning. But Justin Tuck
Justin Tuck
Justin Lee Tuck is an American football defensive end for the National Football League's New York Giants.A former standout defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tuck currently plays in the National Football League for the New York Giants. His cousin Adalius Thomas was also a former...
, Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
, Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. His nickname is JPP. He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, and Terrell Thomas
Terrell Thomas
-New York Giants:Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after projecting to be a third round pick. Thomas was the 63rd overall pick of the draft and the final pick of the second round...
combined to sack Garrard on three consecutive plays, the last of which resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Rolle. The Giants had won their first turnover-free game of 2010, and tied the Eagles for the division lead.
Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
The Giants needed this division win to keep pace with the Eagles, and they had no trouble getting it. The rushing duo of Bradshaw and Jacobs combined for 200 yards and all four touchdowns (two each) as high winds discouraged Manning's passing game. For the first time this year, the Giants scored on each of their first two drives, taking a 14-point lead before the Redskins even managed a first down. From that point, the New York defense dominated, forcing six fumbles, recovering four, and intercepting two Donovan McNabbDonovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
passes. Former Redskin Devin Thomas
Devin Thomas
Devin Thomas is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the New York Giants. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State...
made an impact in his Giants debut by blocking a Hunter Smith
Hunter Smith
Hunter Dwight Smith is an American football punter, currently a free agent and most recently for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
punt to set up Tynes' field goal and wrap up a crucial win. Notably, the Giants now held the distinction of being 3–1 all-time against potential Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
coach Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Michael Edward "Mike" Shanahan is the 28th and current head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Shanahan also holds the title of Vice President of Football Operations with the Redskins, giving him full control over player personnel with the team. Shanahan previously...
.
Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings
Originally scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 12, this game was moved to Monday night after severe blizzard conditions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that forced the Giants to spend the night in Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
after their flight was diverted, while the operators of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
asked for more time to clear all the snow from the stadium's bubbled roof. The roof later collapsed, forcing the NFL to use Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
in Detroit as an alternate site. The game aired on WNYW
WNYW
WNYW, virtual channel 5 , is the flagship television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. The station's transmitter is atop the Empire State Building and its studio facilities are located in the Yorkville section of Manhattan...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, WXXA-TV
WXXA-TV
WXXA-TV is the Fox-affiliated television station for Upstate New York's Capital District and Western New England. Licensed to Albany, it broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 7 from a transmitter southwest of New Scotland's Voorheesville section. The station can also be seen...
in Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV, channel 9, is the Fox-owned-and-operated television station serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota designated market area, owned in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WFTC...
in Minneapolis-St. Paul, along with the Fox affiliates in Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, Mankato and Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. But even the disaster in Minneapolis was overshadowed by another major headline: Vikings quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
was listed as inactive for this game, ending his historic streak of 297 consecutive starts
Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)
This is a list of the most consecutive starts by a quarterback in the NFL. Only six quarterbacks in NFL history have been able to achieve regular season streaks of at least 100 games, with only two of those with a regular season streak of at least 200 games....
. Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, who was 2–0 in his career against the Giants, started in Favre's place.
Once again, the Giants drew strength from their running game, as Jacobs and Bradshaw combined for 219 yards rushing and two touchdowns. In the second quarter, Jacobs created his longest play of the season, a 73-yard run that set up his own short touchdown. After a by-now-typical shaky start from Manning that involved two interceptions, Manning closed out the first half with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Boss (Incidentally, news about another streak was lost in the talk about Favre: Manning was making his 100th consecutive start tonight). Bradshaw's touchdown came in the third quarter, on a 48-yard run that was also his longest of the season. The New York defense had an especially memorable night, holding the normally dominant Adrian Peterson to his lowest rushing output of the year, a paltry 26 yards. Umeniyora, Barry Cofield
Barry Cofield
Barry Joseph Cofield, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.-High school years:...
, Rocky Bernard
Rocky Bernard
Robert "Rocky" Eugene Bernard, Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M.-Seattle Seahawks:Bernard was drafted by the...
, Dave Tollefson
Dave Tollefson
Dave Tollefson is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round, with the 253rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, and Jonathan Goff
Jonathan Goff
Jonathan Goff is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt.-Early years:Jonathan Goff was born to Gwendolyn Tyre and Tobie Goff in Atlanta,...
combined for four sacks, and Keith Bulluck
Keith Bulluck
Keith J. Bulluck is an American Football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted 30th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse....
contributed an interception.
Unfortunately, the injury bug hit the Giants again in several key places. Special-teamer Clint Sintim
Clint Sintim
-New York Giants:Sintim was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Giants on April 25, 2009. On July 30, the Giants announced that they had signed Sintim to the roster. Eventually, he is expected to replace the Danny Clark/Bryan Kehl linebacker position. Sintim made his...
's season ended with a torn ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can be a debilitating musculoskeletal injury to the knee, seen most often in athletes. Non-contact tears and ruptures are the most common causes of ACL injury....
, and Bradshaw and Manningham both left the game early with injuries to the forearm and hip flexor, respectively. Diehl, Nicks, and Smith returned from their injuries, but Smith suffered a new injury to his hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
. Whether these players will be available for the crucial division game in Week 15 has yet to be determined.
With this win, the Giants rose to 9–4 and ensured that they will improve on last season's record of 8–8.
Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off their win over the Vikings the Giants played on home ground for an NFC East rivalry rematch against the Eagles. The Giants suffered their worst loss of the season, blowing a 24–3 halftime lead and allowing a punt return for a touchdown as time expired in regulation.In the first quarter the Giants took the early lead as QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
completed a 35-yard TD pass to WR Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. The Eagles responded in the second quarter with kicker David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
getting a 34-yard field goal, but the Giants extended their lead after Manning found Manningham on a 33-yard TD pass, followed by kicker Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
nailing a 25-yard field goal, then with Manning getting an 8-yard TD pass to WR Hakeem Nicks
Hakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
. The Eagles cut the lead with QB Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
making an 8-yard TD pass to WR Jeremy Maclin
Jeremy Maclin
-2009 NFL Draft:Maclin was considered a top National Football League prospect following his second season, and roommate Sean Weatherspoon hoped to convince Maclin to return for his junior year instead of leaving Missouri for the 2009 NFL Draft. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on...
, but the Giants scored with Manning finding TE Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League...
on an 8-yard TD pass. However, they failed to maintain this lead with Vick making a 65-yard TD pass to TE Brent Celek
Brent Celek
Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:...
, followed by his 4-yard scramble for a touchdown and then his 13-yard TD pass to Maclin to tie the game at 31. After the Giants went three and out Matt Dodge
Matt Dodge
-New York Giants:Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team...
's punt was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
, giving the Giants a loss, and thus bringing their record down to 9–5. In calling the final play, Fox
NFL on FOX
NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports...
commentator Joe Buck
Joe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
said:
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Eagles the Giants flew to Lambeau FieldLambeau Field
Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field...
for an NFC duel with the Packers. In the first quarter the Giants trailed early with QB Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
completing an 80 and a 3-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson
Jordy Ray Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State....
and to WR James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
respectively. The Giants replied to tie the game with QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
throwing a 36 and an 85-yard TD pass to WR Hakeem Nicks
Hakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
and Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. They had further problems with FB John Kuhn
John Kuhn
John Allen Kuhn is an American football fullback, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania...
getting an 8-yard TD run, followed by kicker Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
getting a 31-yard field goal. The Giants cut the lead with kicker Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
nailing a 38-yard field goal, but fell further behind with Rodgers completing a 1 and a 5-yard TD run to TE Donald Lee and to Kuhn respectively. This was followed by Kuhn getting a 1-yard TD run.
With the loss, the Giants fell to 9–6.
Week 17: at Washington Redskins
Hoping to clinch a playoff spot the Giants flew to FedEx Field for a division rivalry rematch against the Redskins. The Giants took the lead as kicker Lawrence TynesLawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
hit a 20-yard field goal. This was followed by Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
getting a 2-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed when QB Rex Grossman
Rex Grossman
Rex Daniel Grossman, III is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . Grossman played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he has played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins of...
threw a 1-yard TD pass to TE Fred Davis
Fred Davis (tight end)
Fred Davis is an American football tight end currently playing for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Davis prepped at Rogers High School...
, but the Giants extended their lead with QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
connecting to Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
on a 92-yard TD pass. The lead was narrowed in the 4th quarter as Grossman completed a 64-yard TD pass to WR Anthony Armstrong, but the Giants defense held them on for the win.
Despite the win, the Giants failed to make the playoffs after Green Bay defeated Chicago. The Giants finished their regular season with a 10–6 record.
John Mara
John Mara
John Kevin Mara is the president, CEO, and co-owner of the New York Giants.Mara was born in New York City and grew up in White Plains, New York. He is the oldest son of Ann and former Giants owner Wellington Mara. He attended Iona Preparatory School in nearby New Rochelle, graduating in 1972. He...
announced Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
would return as head coach next season.