NFL team season
The 1993 New York Giants season 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 17–10, but were soundly defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 44–3 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
[2]
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] 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]
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 to 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
Game summaries
Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 35-yard field goal, 11:33. Giants 6–0 .
NYG – David Treadwell 23-yard field goal, 7:00. Giants 9–0 .
CHI – Terry Obee 2-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Kevin Butler kick), 0:03. Giants 9–7 . Third quarter
CHI – Myron Baker 5-yard blocked punt return Kevin Butler kick), 13:55. Bears 14–9.
CHI – Kevin Butler 20-yard field goal, 8:39. Bears 17–9 .
NYG – Mark Jackson 40-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 0:19. Bears 17–16 . Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 36-yard field goal, 9:44. Giants 19–17 .
CHI – Kevin Butler 34-yard field goal, 3:07. Bears 20–19 .
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 1-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 1:07. Giants 26–20 .
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 24/34, 277 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Jim Harbaugh – 16/28, 178 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 9:37. Giants 20–7 . Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 46-yard field goal, 7:03. Giants 23–7 .
Top passers
TB – Craig Erickson – 16/28, 174 yards, TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/26, 204 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
TB – Reggie Cobb – 16 rushes, 32 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 29 rushes, 134 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
0
3
0 7 10
Giants 7
6
7 0 20
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : September 19Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : Scattered clouds, 65 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 76,213Referee : Dale Hamer TV announcers (CBS) : Jim Nantz and Randy Cross
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 34-yard field goal, 9:44. Giants 10–0 .
LA – Tony Zendejas 52-yard field goal, 6:14. Giants 10–3 .
NYG – David Treadwell 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Giants 13–3 . Third quarter
NYG – Mark Collins 50-yard interception return (David Treadwell kick), 4:32. Giants 20–3. Fourth quarter
Top passers
LA – Jim Everett – 11/28, 135 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 21/27, 217 yards Top rushers
LA – Jerome Bettis – 9 rushes, 33 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 41 rushes, 134 yards, TD Top receivers
LA – Flipper Anderson – 3 receptions, 63 yards, TD
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 7 receptions, 65 yards
Week 5: at Buffalo Bills
Game information
First quarter
BUF – Steve Christie 24-yard field goal, 9:00. Bills 3–0 .
BUF – Henry Jones 85-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick), 4:43. Bills 10–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/28, 160 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
BUF – Jim Kelly – 14/25, 142 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 2 receptions, 37 yards
BUF – Pete Metzelaars – 6 receptions, 44 yards, TD
Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Week 6: New York Giants at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants 7
20
0 14 41
Redskins
0
7
0 0 7
at RFK Stadium , Washington, D.C.
Date : October 10Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 53,715Referee : Red Cashion TV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Mike Sherrard 55-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 10:20. Giants 34–7 .
NYG – Kenyon Rasheed 23-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 3:25. Giants 41–7 .
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 14/17, 182 yards, 3 TD
WAS – Mark Rypien – 21/35, 220 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 29 rushes, 104 yards, TD
WAS – Ricky Ervins – 2 rushes, 23 yards Top receivers
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
WAS – Tim McGee – 6 receptions, 72 yards, TD
Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 7: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
0
3
0 7 10
Giants 0
14
0 7 21
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : October 17Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 76,050Referee : Bernie Kukar TV announcers (CBS) : Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Lewis Tillman 10-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 10:07. Giants 21–3 .
PHI – Mark Bavaro 13-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Matt Bahr kick), 5:56. Giants 21–10 .
Top passers
PHI – Ken O'Brien – 19/32, 210 yards, TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 11/22, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
PHI – Herschel Walker – 15 rushes, 58 yards
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 20 rushes, 169 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
PHI – Mark Bavaro – 5 receptions, 69 yards, TD
NYG – Mike Sherrard – 1 reception, 51 yards
Week 9: vs. New York Jets
Week 9: New York Jets at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets 0
3
7 0 10
Giants
3
3
0 0 6
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYJ – Cary Blanchard 21-yard field goal, 9:05. Tied 3–3 .
NYG – David Treadwell 23-yard field goal, 1:37. Giants 6–3 . Third quarter
NYJ – Brad Baxter 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 2:04. Jets 10–6 . Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
NYJ – Brad Baxter – 19 rushes, 71 yards, TD
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 17 rushes, 70 yards Top receivers
Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 10: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
0
6
0 3 9
Cowboys 10
7
0 14 31
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : November 7Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)Game attendance : 64,735Referee : Dick HantakTV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 11:07. Cowboys 10–3 .
DAL – Alvin Harper 50-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Eddie Murray kick), 10:48. Cowboys 17–3 .
NYG – David Treadwell 45-yard field goal, 6:39. Cowboys 17–6 . Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 11:22. Cowboys 24–6 .
DAL – Emmitt Smith 2-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 9:02. Cowboys 31–6 .
NYG – David Treadwell 29-yard field goal, 3:31. Cowboys 31–9 .
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 12/21, 155 yards
DAL – Troy Aikman – 11/13, 162 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
NYG – Lewis Tillman – 20 rushes, 82 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 24 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
NYG – Chris Calloway – 4 receptions, 87 yards
DAL – Alvin Harper – 3 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD
Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 11: Washington Redskins at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins
0
0
3 3 6
Giants 7
7
3 3 20
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : November 14Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 76,606Referee : Bob McElwee TV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 43-yard field goal, 5:25. Giants 17–0 .
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 27-yard field goal, 0:39. Giants 17–3 . Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 39-yard field goal, 6:23. Giants 20–3 .
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 33-yard field goal, 3:41. Giants 20–6 .
Top passers
Top rushers
WAS – Reggie Brooks – 22 rushes, 91 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 78 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 12: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants 0
0
0 7 7
Eagles
0
0
3 0 3
at Veterans Stadium , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date : November 21Game time : 4:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Partly sunny, 40 °F (4 °C)Game attendance : 62,928Referee : Ed Hochuli TV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
PHI – Matt Bahr 35-yard field goal, 7:03. Eagles 3–0 . Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 13/22, 187 yards, TD, INT
PHI – Bubby Brister – 9/20, 94 yards Top rushers
Top receivers
NYG – Mark Jackson – 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD
PHI – Victor Bailey – 3 receptions, 54 yards
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
10
0
7 0 17
Giants 3
3
7 6 19
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : November 28Game time : 4:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Mostly sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 59,979Referee : Tom White TV announcers (CBS) : Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 37-yard field goal, 1:55. Cardinals 10–6 . Third quarter
NYG – Ed McCaffrey 20-yard pass from Phil Simms (David Treadwell kick), 7:40. Giants 13–10 .
PHO – Ricky Proehl 17-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (Greg Davis kick), 2:24. Cardinals 17–13 . Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 12:56. Cardinals 17–16 .
NYG – Brad Daluiso 54-yard field goal, 0:32. Giants 19–17 .
Top passers
PHO – Steve Beuerlein – 19/33, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
NYG – Phil Simms – 22/41, 337 yards, TD Top rushers
Top receivers
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 6 receptions, 81 yards
NYG – Mark Jackson – 7 receptions, 113 yards
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
Week 14: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants 7
7
3 2 19
Dolphins
7
0
0 7 14
at Joe Robbie Stadium , Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : December 5Game time : 4:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Scattered clouds, 74 °F (23 °C)Game attendance : 72,161Referee : Gary Lane TV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 42-yard field goal, 6:04. Giants 17–7 . Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 17/24, 257 yards, TD
MIA – Steve DeBerg – 26/41, 365 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 12 rushes, 60 yards, TD
MIA – Terry Kirby – 5 rushes, 18 yards Top receivers
NYG – Aaron Pierce – 3 receptions, 98 yards
MIA – Terry Kirby – 8 receptions, 95 yards
Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Colts
0
6
0 0 6
Giants 7
6
0 7 20
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : December 12Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Mostly sunny, 28 °F (−2 °C)Game attendance : 70,411Referee : Larry NemmersTV announcers (NBC) : Don Criqui , Beasley Reece and O. J. Simpson
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – Chris Calloway 17-yard pass from Phil Simms (kick aborted), 14:15. Giants 13–0 .
IND – Dean Biasucci 21-yard field goal, 10:51. Giants 13–3 .
IND – Dean Biasucci 26-yard field goal, 1:15. Giants 13–6 . Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 2-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 14:57. Giants 20–6 .
Top passers
IND – Jeff George – 22/38, 254 yards
NYG – Phil Simms – 9/15, 85 yards, TD Top rushers
IND – Roosevelt Potts – 10 rushes, 33 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 33 rushes, 173 yards, TD Top receivers
IND – Jessie Hester – 2 receptions, 75 yards
NYG – Chris Calloway – 2 receptions, 30 yards, TD
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 2:48. Giants 17–7 . Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYG – Phil Simms – 15/23, 166 yards, 2 TD
NO – Mike Buck – 11/21, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
NYG – Mark Jackson – 5 receptions, 44 yards
NO – Quinn Early – 4 receptions, 98 yards
Week 17: at Phoenix Cardinals
Week 17: New York Giants at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
3
3
0 0 6
Cardinals 0
0
10 7 17
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 26Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : Overcast, 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 53,414Referee : Bernie KukarTV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 22-yard field goal, 12:55. Giants 6–0 . Third quarter
PHO – Greg Davis 20-yard field goal, 6:12. Giants 6–3 .
PHO – Ronald Moore 19-yard run (Greg Davis kick), 2:01. Cardinals 10–6 . Fourth quarter
PHO – Ronald Moore 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick), 12:09. Cardinals 17–6 .
Top passers
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 15 rushes, 38 yards
PHO – Ronald Moore – 23 rushes, 135 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 18: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cowboys 3
10
0 0 3 16
Giants
0
0
10 3 0 13
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : January 2Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)Game attendance : 77,356Referee : Jerry Markbreit TV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 5-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Eddie Murray kick), 7:26. Cowboys 10–0 .
DAL – Eddie Murray 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 13–0 . Third quarter
NYG – Jarrod Bunch 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 7:42. Cowboys 13–7 .
NYG – David Treadwell 29-yard field goal, 1:20. Cowboys 13–10 . Fourth quarter
NYG – David Treadwell 32-yard field goal, 0:10. Tied 13–13 . Overtime
DAL – Eddie Murray 41-yard field goal, 4:16. Cowboys 16–13 .
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman – 24/30, 180 yards, TD
NYG – Phil Simms – 16/25, 207 yards Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 32 rushes, 168 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 30 rushes, 114 yards Top receivers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 10 reception, 61 yards, TD
NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 58 yards
Standings
Postseason
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
3 4 Total
Vikings
0
10
0 0 10
Giants 3
0
14 0 17
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : January 9Game time : 12:30 p.m. ESTGame weather : Sunny, 20 °F (−7 °C)Game attendance : 75,089Referee : Ed HochuliTV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – Rodney Hampton 51-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 12:06. Tied 10–10 .
NYG – Rodney Hampton 2-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 5:37. Giants 17–10 . Fourth quarter
Top passers
MIN – Jim McMahon – 12/25, 145 yards, TD
NYG – Phil Simms – 17/26, 94 yards Top rushers
MIN – Scottie Graham – 19 rushes, 69 yards
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 33 rushes, 161 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 4 reception, 83 yards, TD
NYG – Chris Calloway – 2 receptions, 30 yards
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
3 4 Total
Giants
0
3
0 0 3
49ers 9
14
14 7 44
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Date : January 15Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m. PSTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 67,143Referee : Bernie KukarTV announcers (CBS) : Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information
First quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (kick failed), 10:33. 49ers 6–0 .
SF – Mike Cofer 29-yard field goal, 4:53. 49ers 9–0 . Second quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 14:58. 49ers 16–0 .
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 4:03. 49ers 23–0 .
NYG – David Treadwell 25-yard field goal, 0:00. 49ers 23–3 . Third quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 6-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 7:38. 49ers 30–3 .
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 1:09. 49ers 37–3 . Fourth quarter
SF – Marc Logan 2-yard run (Mike Cofer kick), 12:26. 49ers 44–3 .
Top passers
Top rushers
NYG – Rodney Hampton – 7 rushes, 12 yards
SF – Ricky Watters – 24 rushes, 118 yards, 5 TD Top receivers
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 .
