The Giants need not to scour other divisions to find teams to build rivalries with. The NFC East is a cauldron of animosity and has for many years remained as intense as ever.
Let’s take a closer look at three of the Giants’ most hated rivals below.
The 3 Biggest Rivals of the New York Giants:
1. Philadelphia Eagles
When you talk about fierce, bad, and nasty football, it’s a sin not to include the the Giants-Eagles rivalry. The combative history of both teams reaches as far back as 1933. Right up until now, the two teams’ urge to beat the hell out of each other has not waned in the slightest.
In one of the most iconic photos in the history of the NFL (pictured at the beginning of the article), Eagle Chuck Bednarik was caught mocking the motionless body of Giant Frank Gifford after employing a paralyzing hit.
In a more recent classic rivalry moment—this time in digital form—Eagles running back LeSean McCoy called Giant Osi Umenyiora a “ballerina” on Twittter. Umenyiora retaliated by wishing McCoy a “Happy Mother’s Day.”
The times maybe changing but the hostility remains the same.
2. Dallas Cowboys
One of the seeds of this rivalry was in fact already planted before the first meeting between the two franchises even occurred. Tom Landry, a former Giants player and defensive coordinator, became the Cowboys’ first coach. It would be one of the most prominent focal points in their games to come.
It’s easy for any team to hate the Cowboys, given that they are (perhaps arrogantly) labeled as “America’s Team”. But for the Giants, the reasons are greater: not only are they in the same division with Dallas, but the Giants have yet to win a game at Cowboys Stadium.
In one of their most memorable game, Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith played despite suffering a separated shoulder, just for a shot at beating the rival Giants.
3. Washington Redskins
It’s no secret that the Giants have troubled relationships with all their division rivals; they definitely hate the Cowboys and truly despise the Eagles. But it’s Washington that completes the Giants’ recipe for hate in the NFC East.
On November 27, 1966, these two teams combined for 113 points—and 17 touchdowns!—in the highest scoring game in NFL history. The Redskins were up 69-41 with 7 seconds left, but opted to go for one last field goal, just to put an exclamation mark on their already massive victory, making the final score 72-41.
True Giants fans say that some of the most epic battles their team fought were against the Redskins—especially those that occurred in the 1980’s during the height of their rivalry. Back in those days, the Giants and Redskins were forces to reckon with in the NFC. The fact that they were in the same division only gave their meetings greater significance.
One game that will forever be pointed to by Giants fans is the NFC championship match-up in 1987. In that game, New York shut out the hapless Redskins squad, 17-0. One week later, the Giants won their first Super Bowl title.
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The success of the New York Giants has only put a bigger target on their backs. Will any of the rivals mentioned above give them a run for their money this coming 2013 NFL season? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, take a look at the chances of the Giants to win the NFC East, NFC, and Super Bowl.
