Memorable Game – Giants

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May 19, 2021

By Noonefromtampa

As part of my offseason retrospective, I will look at the most memorable game against each of Washington’s current division opponents: the Giants, the Eagles and the Cowboys.

First, let’s delve into some background about the Washington-New York Giants rivalry.

The two teams have met 178 times including post-season games. Since the first meeting on October 9, 1932, Washington has won 69 games, lost 105 games and tied 4 times.  That’s only a 39.88% winning percentage against their long-time division rival.

With a rivalry that has endured so long, there are many memorable games to choose from:

  • The first Washington Redskins home game after the team moved from Boston was September 16, 1937, at Griffith Stadium, in which the Redskins defeated the Giants 13-3. The Redskins went on to defeat the Giants in New York that season, 49-14, and won the NFL championship against the Chicago Bears 28-21.
  • On December 3, 1939, in a game which would decide who would represent the Eastern Division in the NFL Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, the Redskins kicked what they thought was the game winning field goal as time expired. The officials ruled the field goal not good, incensing the Redskins players, who became so irate that one of them punched referee Bill Haloran. The Packers defeated the Giants in the championship game.
  • On November 18, 1985, when the Redskins were at their 80’s peak, they played a Monday Night Football game against the Giants. The Redskins ran their toss back flea-flicker play in which John Riggins lateralled the ball back to Joe Theismann. Lawrence Taylor tackled Theismann, breaking his leg and ending his career. Jay Schroeder entered the game to lead the team to a come from behind victory with 14-yard touchdown pass to Clint Didier.
  • On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, the Redskins hosted the Giants at FedEx Field in a very emotional game for both teams. The Giants took an early 14-7 lead but the Redskins tied the game at 14 with a 6-yard touchdown from Rex Grossman to Anthony Armstrong just before halftime. The Redskins’ defense took over the second half shutting out the Giants. Ryan Kerrigan scored the gaming winning touchdown on 9-yard interception return of Eli Manning. The Redskins scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the team the 28-14 victory.
  • On September 25, 2016, Washington beat Giants 29-27 on a late game 37-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. Kirk Cousins threw touchdown passes of 44 yards and 55 yards to DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder respectively. But the reason the game was most memorable was the sideline meltdown by Odell Beckham Jr. who was frustrated by Josh Norman during the game. Beckham assaulted the kicker’s practice net with his helmet and the net then retaliated by falling on him. The video clip of that incident was replayed on just about every sports show that following week.

Most Memorable Game

On November 27, 1966, the Redskins and Giants participated in a record setting game that still stands today.  The teams scored a record setting combined 113 points. The Redskins won the game 72-41, which featured sixteen touchdowns and one field goal. There were thirteen offensive touchdowns, two defensive touchdowns and one special team touchdown. Nine of the sixteen touchdowns were 30 yards or longer and six were 50 yards or more.  Some key stats from the game:

  • D. Whitfield scored three touchdowns including a run of 63 yards
  • Charley Taylor caught 6 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns including touchdown receptions of 32 and 74 yards
  • Brig Owens had three interceptions returning one 60 yards for a touchdown, plus a 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown
  • Rickie Harris scored on a 52-yard punt return
  • Coach Otto Graham put Bobby Mitchell at his old position of halfback and he scored on a 45-yard touchdown run

The most controversial part of the game was when the Giants turned the ball over on downs with nine seconds left in the game.  Legend has it that Sam Huff, still angry at the Giants for trading him to the Redskins two years before, called for the field goal unit to take the field. Charlie Gogolak converted the 29 yard attempt, atoning for missing an extra point earlier in the game and putting the team above 70 points for the first and only time in team history.