1993 New York Giants season
Head coachDan Reeves
Home fieldGiants Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd NFC East
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Vikings) 17–10
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at 49ers) 3–44
Pro Bowlers
4

The 1993 New York Giants season was the franchise's 69th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first under head coach Dan Reeves, who was hired by the Giants after being fired by the Denver Broncos in the off-season.

The Giants were looking to improve on their 6-10 mark from the previous year under former head coach Ray Handley and return to the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXV in January 1991. Under Reeves’ watch, the Giants did exactly that, finishing with an 11-5 record and qualifying for the playoffs as one of the three Wild Card teams in the NFC. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings at home in their first playoff game, but were soundly defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoffs.

After the season, star linebacker Lawrence Taylor announced his retirement from football. As Taylor was playing out his final season, another Giants defensive stalwart was entering the league; 1993 saw the debut of Texas Southern defensive end Michael Strahan in the team’s lineup.

1993 was also the last season for veteran Giants quarterback Phil Simms; he was released following the season and after entertaining offers to continue his career, Simms elected to retire in 1994.

Offseason

There was some significant roster turnover from 1992. Among the departures were veteran linebackers Carl Banks, who joined the Washington Redskins, and Pepper Johnson, who joined the Cleveland Browns; defensive end Leonard Marshall, who joined the New York Jets; and Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis Anderson, who retired.

Another major roster turnover move was at the quarterback position, which had been in flux since the end of the 1990 season. After Simms went down to an injury, Jeff Hostetler took over for him and led the Giants to their second Super Bowl victory. Handley had chosen Hostetler over Simms in 1991 to become the starter, but Simms eventually won the job back after Hostetler himself suffered an injury. Simms again assumed the position in 1992, but once again suffered a severe injury pressing Hostetler back into duty. Injuries also befell Hostetler, who recorded a winning record despite the team’s 6-10 finish. When the season ended and Reeves took over, he chose Simms as his starter and Hostetler was released [1]

NFL Draft

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

[2]

Personnel

Staff

1993 New York Giants staff

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Al Miller
  • Asst.strength and conditioning/ offensive quality control – Kerry Goode

[3]

Roster

1993 New York Giants final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad

  • 70 Steve Brannon DE
  • -- Kevin Evans WR
  • -- Brian Kozlowski TE
  • 83 Eric Weir WR


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 4 inactive, 4 practice squad

Preseason

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

Regular season

Simms started all 16 games in 1993, being one of only seven quarterbacks to do so, and led the Giants to a resurgent 11–5 season including a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs.[4] However, Simms underwent shoulder surgery after the 1993 season to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was successful, and team doctor Russell F. Warren's prognosis for recovery was excellent, and Simms was expected to be ready in time for training camp.[5] However, later during that offseason, Simms was released by the Giants, and subsequently decided to retire. The Giants offense was coming off a sub-par 1992 season, so Dan Reeves and offensive coordinator George Henshaw added and adjusted schemes. The emphasis remained running the ball as the Full House and Power I formations were installed. Rodney Hampton and Phil Simms both made the pro bowl, each the driving force behind the offense. The Defense returned to its dominant ways; allowing an NFL-best 12.8 points per game, or 205 points all year. Lawrence Taylor would join Simms in retirement after the season, ending an era. The Giants finished the 1993 season first in overall defense and rushing offense.

The Giants played the Dolphins in Miami for the first time on December 5, only the fourth meeting between the clubs since the AFL-NFL merger. New York was scheduled to be the opponent for the Dolphins' first regular season game at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, but that game was cancelled by a players' strike.

The Giants qualified for the playoffs on December 12 with a win at Giants Stadium against the Colts, 35 years after the two teams met in "The Greatest Game Ever Played". However in week 18, the Cowboys and Giants met in the Meadowlands to conclude the regular season with huge stakes. The winner would win the NFC East and have home-field advantage as the NFC's #1 seed and have a week off, while the loser would have play an extra week and host a wild card game against the Minnesota Vikings as the NFC's #4 seed. The Giants lost to the Cowboys 16–13 in overtime, making their road to the Super Bowl much harder.

Schedule

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

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

Week 1: New York Giants at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 3 6 71026
Bears 0 7 10320

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 7 007
Giants 7 10 3323

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 3 0710
Giants 7 6 7020

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 76,213
  • Referee: Dale Hamer
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Randy Cross
Game information

Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

Week 5: New York Giants at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 14 0014
Bills 10 0 0717

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Week 6: at Washington Redskins

Week 6: New York Giants at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 20 01441
Redskins 0 7 007

at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

  • Date: October 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 53,715
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 7: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 3 0710
Giants 0 14 0721

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 76,050
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

Week 9: New York Jets at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 7010
Giants 3 3 006

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 10: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 6 039
Cowboys 10 7 01431

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,735
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 11: Washington Redskins at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 0 336
Giants 7 7 3320

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 76,606
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 12: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 0 077
Eagles 0 0 303

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly sunny, 40 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,928
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 10 0 7017
Giants 3 3 7619

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,979
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information

Week 14: at Miami Dolphins

Week 14: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 7 3219
Dolphins 7 0 0714

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,161
  • Referee: Gary Lane
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 6 006
Giants 7 6 0720

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 28 °F (−2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,411
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui, Beasley Reece and O. J. Simpson
Game information

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week 16: New York Giants at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 7 3724
Saints 0 7 0714

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Week 17: at Phoenix Cardinals

Week 17: New York Giants at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 3 3 006
Cardinals 0 0 10717

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 53,414
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 18: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 3 10 00316
Giants 0 0 103013

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,356
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Standings

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

Postseason

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

Game summaries

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

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Minnesota Vikings at (4) New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 10 0010
Giants 3 0 14017

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: January 9
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 20 °F (−7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,089
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

A howling, gusting wind dominated the game as both teams could only score with the wind. However, the Giants managed to score two touchdowns, both by running back Rodney Hampton in the third quarter, to pull ahead for good.

This was both the first playoff game and the first playoff win for the Giants since Super Bowl XXV.

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

NFC Divisional Round: (4) New York Giants at (2) San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 3 003
49ers 9 14 14744

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

  • Date: January 15
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,143
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

49ers running back Ricky Watters rushed for 118 yards, caught 5 passes for 46 yards, and scored an NFL playoff record 5 touchdowns as San Francisco crushed the Giants, 44–3. This was the final NFL game for both Giants legends Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Timothy W. FOOTBALL; Giants Tell Simms That He's The Boss, The New York Times, June 16, 1993, accessed March 22, 2007.
  2. ↑ "New York Giants NFL Draft History". NFL.com. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  3. ↑ Litsky, Frank (February 9, 1993). "Giants Complete Coaching Staff". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  4. ↑ 1993 New York Giants Archived 2008-12-28 at the Wayback Machine, databasefootball.com, accessed May 9, 2007.
  5. ↑ PRO FOOTBALL; Simms's Surgery Goes Well, The New York Times, March 2, 1994, accessed 2007-01-01.
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