New York Giants
The Giants struggled after their Super Bowl loss and Fassel was replaced by current coach Tom Coughlin in 2004. Although Collins had several solid seasons as the Giants quarterback, he experienced his share of struggles. In 2004, the Giants completed a draft day trade acquiring quarterback Eli Manning out of the University of Mississippi. Manning has been the team’s starting quarterback since the middle of the 2004 season, taking over for Kurt Warner. The early part of Coughlin’s tenure also produced inconsistent results (a 25–23 record and two playoff appearances—both losses, before the 2007 season) and spawned intense media scrutiny concerning the direction of the team. During this period in their history, standout players include defensive end Michael Strahan, who set the NFL single season record in sacks in 2001, and running back Tiki Barber, who set a team record for rushing yards in a season in 2005.
As of 2007, the Giants have made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. In the game against the Eagles on September 30th, 2007, the Giants tied the record for most sacks as a team in an NFL game, after sacking Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb 12 times. In 2007 the New York Giants became the third NFL franchise to win at least 600 games when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football 31-10. For the 2007 season, the NFL scheduled the Giants’ road game against the Miami Dolphins on October 28 to be played in London’s Wembley Stadium; this was the NFL’s first regular-season game to be played outside of North America. The Giants defeated the Dolphins, 13-10. The Giants finished 10-6, and became NFC Champions after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers in the NFC Playoffs. They set the record for most consecutive road wins (which currently stands at 11 after the 2007-2008 postseason).
The Patriots (18-0) had entered the game 12-point favorites and went to Arizona undefeated. With a final score of 17-14, the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII (held in Glendale, Arizona), in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. Manning was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
