2008 New York Giants season

Player and personnel moves

Draft class

NOTES:

The Giants move up one overall position in the first round due to the forfeiture of the New England Patriots first round draft pick.^[8]

• Giants traded RB Ryan Grant to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a sixth round pick.^[9]
• Giants traded their 7th round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Placekicker Lawrence Tynes in the previous season.^[10]

Preseason schedule

Regular season

The Giants began their title defense in the traditional NFL Kickoff game like previous champions when they played the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium. Traditionally, this game is usually played on the first Thursday following Labor Day in the United States. This day fell on September 4, 2008.

On March 26, the NFL, NBC, and the Republican National Committee agreed in principle to move the kickoff time of the opener to 7:00 pm EDT instead of 8:30 pm EDT to accommodate the 2008 Republican National Convention.^[11]

Standings

Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins

NFL Kickoff game

With their Super Bowl championship title to defend, the Giants began their season in the annual kickoff game against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York got off to a fast start as Super Bowl XLII MVP quarterback Eli Manning capped off the game's opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, kicker John Carney managed to get a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead with Carney nailing a 25-yard and a 47-yard field goal. Near the end of the half, the Redskins managed to get on the board as quarterback Jason Campbell completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santana Moss. New York's defense stiffened in the second half and allowed them to hold on for the victory.

With the win, not only did the Giants begin their season at 1–0, they also became the 9th-straight defending Super Bowl champion to win their season opener.

Week 2: at St. Louis Rams

Coming off their divisional home win over the Redskins, the Giants flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 2 duel with the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the teams traded 2 field goals, and the Giants led 13–7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torry Holt. Afterwards, the Giants pulled away with Manning's 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive end Justin Tuck's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard touchdown run.

With the win, not only did the Giants improve to 2–0, but they also picked up their 12th consecutive road win.

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Coming off their road win over the Rams, the Giants went home for a Week 3 interconference duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, the Giants trailed early as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New York responded with running back Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati replied with running back Chris Perry getting a 25-yard touchdown run, yet the Giants managed to tie the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal. The Bengals ended the first half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Big Blue responded with Carney's 46-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Giants took the lead with Carney kicking a 26-yard field goal. Cincinnati took the lead again with quarterback Carson Palmer completing a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. New York reclaimed the lead with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss on 3rd and goal, yet the Bengals tied the game with Graham's 21-yard field goal as time expired. In overtime, after exchanging punts, Manning led the Giants on a 6 play, 66-yard game winning drive, with Carney kicking a 22-yard field goal.

With the win, the Giants entered the bye week at 3–0.

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  New York on offense in week 3
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  Eli Manning in the shotgun
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  Manning passing against Cincinnati
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  New York huddle against Cincinnati
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  The Bengals on offense at New York
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  The Giants offensive line
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  A New York 2nd down play
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  Carson Palmer is sacked

Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Coming off their bye week, the Giants stayed at home for a Week 5 duel with the Seattle Seahawks. The game was notable for the fact that wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended for this game, due to a minor internal conflict.

In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 32-yard touchdown to wide receiver Domenik Hixon. The Seahawks responded with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 30-yard field goal. Afterwards, New York increased its lead with running back Brandon Jacobs getting a 3-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Giants continued its run with kicker John Carney getting a 29-yard field goal, Jacobs getting a 1-yard touchdown run, and Carney kicking a 33-yard field goal. Seattle closed the half with Mare making a 29-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Giants continued their victory march as Manning completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sinorice Moss, along with Carney nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York completed its domination as backup quarterback David Carr completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Moss.

The Giants racked up 523 yards in total offense, their most since collecting 524 yards against Green Bay on January 6, 2002, and limited Seattle to 187.

With their eighth-straight win, the Giants acquired their first 4–0 start since the franchise's Super Bowl XXV championship run of 1990.

The 38-point differential win marked New York's largest regular-season margin of victory since 1972. The Giants also led the NFL in point differential with +78 in four games. The second best point differential belonged to the Tennessee Titans, with +59, in five games.

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

Coming off their dominating home win over the Seahawks, the Giants flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 6 interconference duel with the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. Also the first time Tom Coughlin returned to Cleveland since the 2001 Bottlegate incident.

In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Browns kicker Phil Dawson got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants took the lead as running back Brandon Jacobs got a 7-yard touchdown run. Cleveland regained the lead as running back Jamal Lewis got a 4-yard touchdown run, along with quarterback Derek Anderson completing a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Dinkins. The Giants closed out the half with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

In the third quarter, the Browns added on to their lead as Dawson nailed a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland pulled away as Anderson completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braylon Edwards and cornerback Eric Wright returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, not only did the Giants fall to 4–1, but their 12-game road winning streak was snapped.

Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Hoping to rebound from their Monday Night road loss to the Browns, the Giants went home for a Week 7 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, New York drew first blood as running back Brandon Jacobs got a 26-yard touchdown run. The 49ers responded with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 40-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Jacobs got a 2-yard touchdown run. San Francisco answered with quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Morgan. The Giants would close out the half with kicker John Carney getting a 21-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, New York added onto their lead as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The 49ers would reply as cornerback Nate Clements returned a blocked field goal 74 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Giants pulled away as Carney nailed a 48-yard field goal, along with defensive end Justin Tuck forcing an O'Sulivan fumble that would roll towards the 49ers' endzone, causing Morgan to kick the ball out of the back of the endzone, giving New York a safety.

With the win, the Giants improved to 5–1.

Week 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Coming off their home win over the 49ers, the Giants flew to Heinz Field for a Week 8 interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Steelers running back Mewelde Moore got a 32-yard touchdown run. The Giants would respond with kicker John Carney getting a 26-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants took the lead as Carney got a 35-yard and a 25-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Pittsburgh regained the lead with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 65-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nate Washington. In the fourth quarter, New York pulled within two points as Carney nailed a 24-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Giants tied the game as linebacker James Harrison (who took over the Steelers' long snapper position after their normal long snapper Greg Warren was injured during the game) accidentally snapped the ball high over punter Mitch Berger and it rolled into the back of the endzone for a safety. Afterwards, New York finished its rally as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss.

With the win, the Giants improved to 6–1.

Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Coming off their huge road win over the Steelers, the Giants went home for a Week 9 NFC East duel against the rival Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss and a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith. In the second quarter, the Cowboys responded with cornerback Mike Jenkins returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. New York would end the half with Manning completing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer.

In the third quarter, the Giants increased their lead as running back Brandon Jacobs got a 12-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, Dallas tried to rally as quarterback Brooks Bollinger completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terrell Owens. Afterwards, New York pulled away as running back Derrick Ward got a 17-yard touchdown run.

With the win, the Giants improved to 7–1.

Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles

Coming off their home win over the Cowboys, the Giants flew to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 10 NFC East duel with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson got a 9-yard touchdown run. The Giants responded with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress, along with kicker John Carney getting a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Manning completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss. Philadelphia responded with quarterback Donovan McNabb completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Avant. New York answered right back as Carney got a 26-yard field goal. The Eagles would close out the half as kicker David Akers got a 29-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Philadelphia took the lead as McNabb completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hank Baskett. The Giants replied with running back Brandon Jacobs getting a 3-yard touchdown run. New York increased their lead as Carney nailed a 28-yard field goal, along with Jacobs getting another 3-yard touchdown run (with a failed 2-point conversion). The Eagles tried to come back as McNabb completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin Curtis. Big Blue's defense managed to prevent any possible comeback, preserving the lead.

With the win, the Giants improved to 8–1.

Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Coming off their divisional road win over the Eagles, the Giants went home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood as running back Brandon Jacobs got two 1-yard touchdown runs (with a failed extra point on the latter). In the second quarter, New York increased their lead as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darcy Johnson. The Ravens would respond with kicker Matt Stover getting a 38-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Baltimore tried to rally as quarterback Joe Flacco completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to fullback Le'Ron McClain. The Giants would answer with cornerback Aaron Ross returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, New York pulled away as kicker Lawrence Tynes nailed a 19-yard field goal.

With the win, the Giants improved to 9–1.

Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals

Coming off their home win over the Ravens, the Giants flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 12 duel with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers got a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with running back Derrick Ward getting a 1-yard touchdown run. Arizona would answer with running back Tim Hightower getting a 4-yard touchdown run (with a failed extra-point attempt). New York replied with kicker John Carney getting a 33-yard field goal, yet the Cardinals got the lead again as Rackers made a 20-yard field goal. The Giants would regain the lead prior to halftime as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer.

In the third quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Manning completed a 2-yard TD pass to FB Madison Hedgecock. Arizona would answer with Hightower's 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, New York greatly increased their lead as Manning completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss. Following an interception by Terrell Thomas, John Carney got a 27-yard field goal. Arizona would respond with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin, yet the Giants answered with Carney getting a 33-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to come back as Rackers nailed a 44-yard field goal. Fortunately, New York recovered the following onside kick and prevailed.

With the win, the Giants improved to 10–1.

Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins

Coming off their road win over the Cardinals, the Giants flew to FedExField for a Week 13 NFC East rematch with the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York scored first as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer, along with kicker John Carney getting a 31-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Carney got a 38-yard field goal. The Redskins would close out the half with wide receiver Devin Thomas getting a 29-yard touchdown run.

In the third quarter, New York began to pull away as running back Brandon Jacobs got a 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, the Giants sealed the deal with Carney connecting on a 39-yard field goal.

With the season-sweep, the Giants improved to 11–1, exceeding the 1986 and 1990 teams (both started 10–2 and eventually won the Super Bowl) for the best 12-game record in franchise history.

Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia would score first in the game with a 51-yard David Akers field goal. Then in the second quarter, the Eagles Brian Westbrook scored on a 30-yard touchdown run that gave Philadelphia a 10–0 lead. With 7 seconds left in the 1st half, the Eagles attempted to go up 13–0 with a field goal, instead, the kick was blocked and returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a Giants touchdown. That cut the lead to 10–7.

Early in the third quarter, Donovan McNabb found Brian Westbrook for a 40-yard Eagles touchdown that increased their lead to 17–7. Philadelphia would score again in the 3rd with a 34-yard field goal by David Akers. The Giants would score on a 1-yard pass from Eli Manning to Darcy Johnson with 20 seconds left in the game, but couldn't recover an onside kick and the Eagles won the game.

Despite falling to 11–2, the Giants clinched the NFC East title when the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20–13.

Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys

The second-to-last NFL game ever to be played at Texas Stadium was a defensive struggle that featured the Giants' weakest offensive showing of the year. Brandon Jacobs was sidelined with a knee injury, crippling New York's running game; Derrick Ward started in his place.

The Cowboys scored first, on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton early in the second quarter. The Giants answered with a 34-yard John Carney field goal on the ensuing drive. The next scoring came in the fourth quarter, when Romo threw fullback Deon Anderson his first career touchdown. On the Cowboys' next drive, deep in their own territory, Mathias Kiwanuka sacked Romo and forced a fumble in the end zone, which resulted in a safety. But the Giants could only put up another field goal, and Tashard Choice's 38-yard touchdown run with 2:24 to play sealed the victory for the Cowboys. Eli Manning was sacked a season-high eight times to Romo's four.

The Giants had now lost two consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 1–2 of 2007, and fell to 11–3.

Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers

The Giants snapped their two-game losing streak and clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by defeating the Panthers. With the loss Carolina failed to clinch the NFC South. The Giants had already clinched a first round bye by virtue of Minnesota's loss to Atlanta earlier in the day.

New York won the toss and scored on their opening drive on a 32-yard John Carney field goal. Carolina responded by scoring a touchdown on their first drive, a thirteen-yard run by DeAngelo Williams.

The Giants scored on their second drive as well, going 74 yards in 13 plays and ending with a Brandon Jacobs touchdown from the Carolina 2. The Panthers responded with another Williams touchdown run, this time five yards, and a 14–10 lead. After forcing the Giants to punt Carolina scored again, as Williams scored his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run. The drive went four plays for 65 yards, 60 of which came on a deep pass from Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad. Williams' touchdown came two plays after Steve Smith appeared to have scored on a short pass, but a replay challenge was upheld.

After the teams traded punts the Giants scored with 0:55 remaining in the half as Carney added his second field goal of the game. Then on their second drive of the second half, Eli Manning threw a short touchdown to Kevin Boss to cut the deficit to 21–20 with 1:07 remaining in the third quarter. Carolina scored on their very next drive, with Williams scoring for the fourth time on a thirty-yard run.

New York tied the game with 3:24 remaining as Jacobs scored on a one-yard touchdown run, after starting the drive in Panther territory. The Giants converted the two-point conversion on a pass from Manning to Domenik Hixon. Carolina then drove down the field and faced fourth and five from the Giants 32-yard line, but John Kasay missed the potential game-winning field goal from 50 yards out.

On their second possession of the overtime period the Giants started at their own 13-yard line. On the first play of the drive Derrick Ward ran for 51 yards and pushed the ball into Carolina territory. Ward added a fourteen-yard run two plays later and a seventeen-yard run the play following that, pushing his rushing total to 215 yards (a career-high) and leaving the Giants two yards from the endzone. On the next play Jacobs scored on a run, his third score of the game, and New York won the game.

The Giants rushed for 301 yards in the game compared to 158 for the Panthers. Jacobs added 87 yards to Ward's 215. Williams rushed for 108 yards on 24 carries, including his four touchdowns. Delhomme finished 11–19 for 185 yards and Manning 17–27 for 181 and a touchdown.

Ward's 14.3-yard rushing average was a single game Giants record. Manning became the first Giants quarterback to throw at least 3,000 passing yards in a season for four consecutive seasons.

While the gametime temperature was 34°, the wind chill being -28 made the game feel like it was only 6° at kickoff. Both teams emphasized their running games, 7 of the 8 touchdowns scored were on the ground.

Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings

The Giants lost their final game of the 2008 regular season in Minneapolis, their first loss to the Vikings in the Metrodome since the 2001 season. Minnesota clinched the NFC North division crown with the win. New York rested most of their starters in the second half and Brandon Jacobs, Kevin Boss, Aaron Ross, and Barry Cofield were held out of the game due to injuries.

After a scoreless first quarter the Vikings jumped out to a 10–0 lead early in the second quarter, with a Ryan Longwell field goal and a 67-yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson coming 3:27 apart. Three field goals by John Carney cut the Vikings' lead to 10–9 at the half.

The Giants took their first lead in the third quarter as David Carr hit Domenik Hixon for a 23-yard touchdown pass and extended the lead to nine with 11:25 remaining in the game as Carney added his fourth field goal. Minnesota scored a touchdown on a long pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian on their next drive, cutting the Giants lead to 19–17. The Giants then had a chance to extend the lead and force Minnesota to score a touchdown to win, but Carney missed from 48 yards with 3:17 to go. Jackson then led the Vikings into field goal range and Longwell hit from 50 yards out to win the game as time expired.

Eli Manning, who started for the Giants but was pulled in the third quarter, led the team with 119 yards passing on 11-for-19, and Carr added 110 yards on 8-for-11. Halfback Derrick Ward rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries, eclipsing 1,000 yards for the season (1,025), joining Jacobs in the 1,000-yard club and making the Giants the fourth team in NFL history (joining the 1971 Dolphins, 1976 Steelers, and 1985 Browns) with two 1,000-yard running backs.

Transactions

NFC Divisional Round: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Entering the postseason as the NFC's top seed, the Giants began their postseason run at home in the NFC Divisional round against their NFC East rival, the #6 Philadelphia Eagles, in Round 3 of 2008's series.

New York got the early first quarter lead as kicker John Carney got a 22-yard field goal. The Eagles would respond with quarterback Donovan McNabb getting a 1-yard touchdown run. The Giants would answer in the second quarter as the defense forced McNabb into an intentional grounding penalty from his own endzone, giving them a safety. Afterwards, Carney would give New York the lead with a 34-yard field goal. However, Philadelphia would get the halftime lead as kicker David Akers got a 25-yard field goal.

The Giants would regain the lead in the third quarter as Carney made a 36-yard field goal, but the Eagles got the lead again as Akers kicked a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia took control as McNabb completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek, followed by Akers nailing a 20-yard field goal. New York tried to rally, but the Eagles' defense would shut down any last attempt at a comeback.

With the loss, the Giants' season ended with an overall record of 12–5. This would be the final playoff game at Giants Stadium, as the Giants would move to New Meadowlands Stadium in 2010 after missing the playoffs in 2009. The Philadelphia Eagles became the first, and ultimately only, team to beat the Giants twice in the same season in Giants Stadium – the Giants were 7–2 at home this season and both losses were to the Eagles. It was also the first game in NFL history with a final score of 23–11, thus making it a scorigami. ^[16][17]

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defensive

Kicking

Punting