The New York Giants: one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and one with a playoff legacy that rivals the winningest teams in the NFL record books. From Harry Carson to Eli Manning, Giants players — modern and from decades past — have seen storybook endings and heartbreaking losses in the postseason. Today, we dive into the Giants’ playoff history.
*We’ll only consider appearances from the 1970 merger onward.
New York Giants Playoff Appearances and Results by Year
- 2016
- Wild Card: Lost 13-31 @ Packers
- 2011
- Wild Card: Won 24-2 vs. Falcons
- Divisional Round: Won 37-20 @ Packers
- Conference Championship: Won 20-17 @ 49ers (OT)
- Super Bowl: Won 21-17 vs. Patriots
- 2008
- Divisional Round: Lost 11-23 vs. Eagles
- 2007
- Wild Card: Won 24-14 @ Buccaneers
- Divisional Round: Won 21-17 @ Cowboys
- Conference Championship: Won 23-20 (OT) @ Packers
- Super Bowl: Won 17-14 vs. Patriots
- 2006
- Wild Card: Lost 20-23 @ Eagles
- 2005
- Wild Card: Lost 0-23 vs. Panthers
- 2002
- Wild Card: Lost 38-39 @ 49ers
- 2000
- Divisional Round: Won 20-10 vs. Eagles
- Conference Championship: Won 41-0 vs. Vikings
- Super Bowl: Lost 7-34 vs. Ravens
- 1997
- Wild Card: Lost 22-23 vs. Vikings
- 1993
- Wild Card: Won 17-10 vs. Vikings
- Divisional Round: Lost 3-44 @ 49ers
- 1990
- Divisional Round: Won 31-3 vs. Bears
- Conference Championship: Won 15-13 @ 49ers
- Super Bowl: Won 20-19 vs. Bills
- 1989
- Divisional Round: Lost 13-19 (OT) vs. Rams
- 1986
- Divisional Round: Won 49-3 vs. 49ers
- Conference Championship: Won 17-0 vs. Redskins
- Super Bowl: Won 39-20 vs. Broncos
- 1985
- Wild Card: Won 17-3 vs. 49ers
- Divisional Round: Lost 0-21 @ Bears
- 1984
- Wild Card: Won 16-13 @ Rams
- Divisional Round: Lost 10-21 @ 49ers
- 1981
- Wild Card: Won 27-21 @ Eagles
- Divisional Round: Lost 24-38 @ 49ers
Giants Playoff History FAQ
The Giants possess one of the NFL’s wildest playoff histories, including several runs of dominance and elongated dry spells. Let’s break down some of the most notable moments.
What’s the Giants’ Playoff Win/Loss Record?
The Giants have a 20-12 playoff record following the NFL’s 1970 merger. The Giants’ first post-merger playoff appearance came in 1981.
How Many Times Have the Giants Been to the Playoffs?
The Giants have been to the playoffs 16 times (not including this year), with the team seeing alternating peaks and valleys of playoff relevance. The Giants reached the postseason five times in the 1980s, three times in the 1990s, six times in the 2000s, and twice in the 2010s.
New York failed to qualify for the playoffs a single time in the 1970s.
How Many Super Bowl Appearances Do the Giants Have?
The Giants have reached the Super Bowl a whopping five times, leaving New York in a five-way tie with the Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders. Only five teams — the San Francisco 49ers (seven), Denver Broncos (eight), Dallas Cowboys (eight), Pittsburgh Steelers (eight), and New England Patriots (11) — have more Super Bowl appearances.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Giants Won?
The Giants have won four Super Bowls over the team’s history, with the wins coming in the 1986, 1990, 2007, and 2011 seasons.
New York’s 1986 victory was fueled by an incredibly efficient performance by two-time Super Bowl champion Phil Simms. In the title game, Simms completed 22 of his 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. The Giants Ring of Honor member avoided turning the ball over and was sacked just once in a heroic effort that brought home the team’s first Lombardi Trophy.
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In 1990, the Giants’ offense was far less explosive, scoring just 20 points compared to the 39 piled up four years prior. But a 102-yard day from running back Ottis Anderson and stout defensive play from the Giants foiled QB Jim Kelly’s chances of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo’s loss to the Giants was its first in what would become four consecutive years of falling just short of a Super Bowl title.
The 2007 NFL season Super Bowl can be described in just three words: the helmet catch. Eli Manning’s heave to wideout David Tyree and the pass catcher’s subsequent acrobatic grab will live forever in the memory of Giants fans and viewers of the iconic moment. New England Patriots fans will also have that game burned into their memories, as it halted what was set to be the second undefeated season in the history of the league.
In 2011, the Giants once again took down the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Eli Manning was superb, completing 75 percent of his passes for 296 yards and a touchdown. He was aided by a standout game from wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who hauled in 10 of his 13 targets for 109 yards.
When Was the Last Time the Giants Made the Super Bowl?
The Giants last reached the Super Bowl in the 2011 season, defeating the Patriots by a score of 21-17 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin each won their second Super Bowl ring in their respective positions (Coughlin also won a ring in the Giants’ 1990 victory as an assistant under Bill Parcells). That 2011 season would be New York’s last in the postseason for the next five years.