The 2022/23 NFL season has reached its apex, and the playoff picture is almost complete. 11 of the 14 playoff spots have already been clinched and with just one game week remaining, it will be interesting to see which outfits clinch the final three spots.
Three of the four divisions in the NFC have also already been wrapped up. The San Francisco 49ers have secured the title in the West, their first divisional crown since 2019. In the North, the title has gone to the Minnesota Vikings, while Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers have secured the title in the South.
It looked as though the Philadelphia Eagles would secure the divisional title in the NFC East. Just a fortnight ago, they had a record of 13-1, and online bookmaker Bovada had made the Pennsylvania-based outfit the favorites for glory at Super Bowl LVII. But fast forward two weeks, the Eagles have lost two on the bounce and have the Dallas Cowboys breathing down their necks entering the final game week.
In the AFC, just two divisions have been decided. The Buffalo Bills had a season-long battle with the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East however, Josh Allen’s Bills have since streaked away, winning their last six on the spin. Their main conference championship rivals are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have wrapped up the AFC West.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who were defeated by the LA Rams in last year’s Super Bowl, look set to be crowned champions in the North. However, they face the second-place Baltimore Ravens in a winner takes all affair in the final round of fixtures. Meanwhile, in the south, a late winning streak from the Jacksonville Jaguars coupled with a six-game losing streak for the Tennesee Titans looks to have sent the AFC South to TIAA Bank Field for just the second time in franchise history.
But one of the biggest talking points of this year’s playoffs will be the return of the New York Giants. Since their most recent Super Bowl success over a decade ago, the Giants have reached the postseason just once, which ended in defeat at the wildcard stage. With them returning this season, we take a look back at the Giants’ two finest hours.
Shocking the world
In the 2007/08 season, there was one team that dominated the NFL. Tom Brady and his New England Patriots. The Boston-based side became the first team in history to complete a perfect 16-0 regular season, before defeating the Jaguars and the Chargers to reach the Super Bowl, their fourth in seven years.
While the Patriots were smashing all before them, the Giants had a more modest campaign.
They were led by their offense with Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, and Brandon Jacobs all playing pivotal roles throughout the campaign. They finished second in the NFC East with a record of ten victories and six losses.
In the postseason, they would comfortably defeat the Buccs in the wildcard round. Then, they were huge underdogs in both the divisional and conference championship rounds however, managed to see out narrow victories in both, against the Cowboys and the Packers respectively.
The Giants were once again massive underdogs at Super Bowl XLII at the formerly named University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona – the stadium that will host Super Bowl LVII. In the final week of the regular season, however, they very nearly curtailed the Patriots’ perfect season, and that gave them hope of winning the big one.
It was hope that they would cling to. A late touchdown thrown by the mercurial Manning secured a 17-14 victory and left the Giants faithful celebrating long into the night.
Repeating the feat four years later
The Giants added another championship to their name – once again against the New England Patriots – in the 2011–2012 season, with Eli Manning leading the way yet again. The Patriots weren’t quite the dominant force they were of five years prior, but they still headed into the postseason with a formidable 13-3 record. The Giants meanwhile had a record of just nine wins and seven losses and were once again massive underdogs.
The MetLife Stadium outfit managed to win another tight contest by a score of 21–17 to win their fourth Super Bowl. Manning was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career, connecting with wide receiver Mario Manningham for a 38-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
The New York Giants have achieved a lot of success over the years, and their four Super Bowl victories are a testament to their greatness. They have been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, and their return to the postseason this term is highly anticipated. Whether they can replicate their success of just over a decade ago, however, remains to be seen.
