1981 New York Giants season

Offseason

NFL draft

The Giants drafted linebacker Lawrence Taylor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Taylor would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Personnel

Staff

• President – Wellington Mara

• General Manager – George Young

• Director of Pro Personnel – Jim Trimble

• Head Coach – Ray Perkins

• Offensive Backfield – Bob Lord

• Receivers – Pat Hodgson

• Offensive Line – Bill Austin

• Offensive Assistant – Ernie Adams

• Defensive Coordinator – Bill Parcells

• Defensive Line – Lamar Leachman

• Linebackers – Bill Belichick

• Defensive Backfield – Fred Glick

• Special Teams – Romeo Crennel

Roster

Preseason

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 12

This was the Giants' first win over the Eagles since 1975.

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• No scoring plays.

Second quarter

• No scoring plays.

Third quarter

• NYG – Tom Mullady 20 yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick). Giants 7–0.

Fourth quarter

• DAL – Doug Cosbie 3 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septién kick). Tie 7–7.
• DAL – Rafael Septién 36 yard field goal. Cowboys 10–7.
• NYG – Joe Danelo 40 yard field goal. Tie 10–10.

Overtime

• NYG – Joe Danelo 35 yard field goal. Giants 13–10.

;Top passers

• DAL – Danny White – 17/33, 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• NYG – Scott Brunner – 13/27, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT ;Top rushers
• DAL – Tony Dorsett – 20 rushes, 39 yards
• NYG – Rob Carpenter – 29 rushes, 83 yards ;Top receivers
• DAL – Billy Joe DuPree – 3 receptions, 44 yards
• NYG – John Mistler – 3 receptions, 37 yards

Heading into their last regular season game, the Giants needed a win over the Dallas Cowboys to remain in postseason contention. Dallas, the NFC East champions, required a victory against New York, along with a loss by the San Francisco 49ers, to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Neither team scored in the first half; Giants kicker Joe Danelo missed two field goal attempts from inside 30 yards in the first quarter. The Giants opened the scoring during their second possession of the second half, as Scott Brunner completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tom Mullady. On the final play of the third quarter, Dallas wide receiver Tony Hill caught a 44-yard pass from Danny White; three plays later, White threw a touchdown pass to Doug Cosbie, which allowed the Cowboys to tie the game, 7–7. On the Giants' next drive, Brunner threw an interception to Michael Downs; after taking possession in Giants territory, the Cowboys went in front on a 36-yard field goal by Rafael Septién.

Dallas held a three-point lead into the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, when a Tony Dorsett fumble gave the Giants the ball at the Cowboys' 45-yard-line. Inside the final minute, Danelo attempted a game-tying field goal from 40 yards. His kick was good, and the game was forced into overtime. The Giants had the first possession of overtime after winning the coin toss, but were forced to punt. On the Cowboys' second play of their first overtime drive, Dorsett was unable to field a pitch by White; Lawrence Taylor recovered the fumble and the Giants gained possession at the Dallas 40-yard-line. Danelo's ensuing 33-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful, hitting an upright. The Giants then forced another Cowboys turnover, as White was intercepted by Byron Hunt, who returned the ball to the Dallas 24-yard-line. Danelo was called on again, and his 35-yard field goal clinched a 13–10 victory for the Giants. The following day, the New York Jets defeated the Green Bay Packers, giving the Giants their first playoff berth since 1963.

Playoffs

Standings

References

References

1. "New York Giants Franchise Encyclopedia". [[Pro Football Reference]].
2. "1981 New York Giants". Pro Football Reference.
3. Whittingham, Richard. (2005). "Illustrated History of the New York Giants". Triumph Books.
4. Massa, Mike. (January 10, 2020). "49ers' playoff history as the top seed in the NFC". [[San Francisco Chronicle]].
5. "1981 New York Giants Draftees". Pro Football Reference.
6. "Lawrence Taylor". [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].
7. "1981 New York Giants (NFL)". Pro Football Archives.
8. "New York Giants 20 at Philadelphia Eagles 10". Pro Football Reference.
9. "All Matchups, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants". Pro Football Reference.
10. "New York Giants 10 at San Francisco 49ers 17". Pro Football Reference.
11. "Los Angeles Rams 7 at New York Giants 10". Pro Football Reference.
12. "New York Giants 20 at St. Louis Cardinals 10". Pro Football Reference.
13. Whittingham, p. 195.
14. (2010). "The Most Memorable Games in Giants History: The Oral History of a Legendary Team". Bloomsbury Publishing.
15. "Dallas Cowboys 10 at New York Giants 13". Pro Football Reference.
16. Gola, Hank. (December 31, 2011). "Joe Danelo recalls '81 NY Giants, Dallas Cowboys match as a day filled with emotions". [[New York Daily News]].
17. Baker and Corbett, p. 197.
18. Baker and Corbett, pp. 197–198.
19. Litsky, Frank. (December 20, 1981). "Giants Win In Overtime; Playoff Spot On Line Today". [[The New York Times]].
20. Baker and Corbett, p. 199.