2011 Super Bowl XLVI
The 2011 Giants: a 9–7 team that defied expectations to win Super Bowl XLVI.
The 2011 New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, their fourth Super Bowl win in franchise history, defeating the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII from four years earlier.
- Date
- February 5, 2012
- Location
- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
- Final Score
- Giants 21, Patriots 17
- MVP
- Eli Manning
- Head Coach
- Tom Coughlin
- Season
- 2011 NFL Season
Lore & Background
The Giants finished the regular season with a 9–7 record, winning the NFC East as the #4 seed. They became the first team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with a negative regular season point differential (-6). They were the third NFL team to win fewer than 10 games in a 16-game season and reach the Super Bowl, and the first of those three to win the Super Bowl. The Giants defeated the Atlanta Falcons, top-seeded 15–1 Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC championship, then beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Lucas Oil Stadium was thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that hummed through every seat. Eli Manning stood on the sideline, adjusting his gloves while scanning the field where the Patriots' defense lined up like a wall of steel. He knew this drive would define his legacy forever.
Reader's Guide
The Giants played all home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, under head coach Tom Coughlin. Eli Manning threw a career-high and franchise-record 4,933 passing yards with 29 touchdown passes, including 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and six regular-season game-winning drives. Victor Cruz set a franchise record with 1,536 receiving yards from 82 receptions, and Hakeem Nicks had 76 receptions for 1,192 yards. The defense was ranked in the bottom 10 in points and yards allowed, and the rushing attack ranked last in the NFL with 89 rushing yards per game.
Did You Know?
- The Giants were the first team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with a negative regular season point differential.
- Eli Manning's 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter in 2011 remain an NFL record.
- The Giants became the first NFC East champion to win the Super Bowl since the Dallas Cowboys in 1995.
- This was the final time the Giants qualified for the playoffs under Tom Coughlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLVI?
The team defeated the New England Patriots on February 5, 2012, to close out the 2011 NFL season. This championship game took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Who was named the Most Valuable Player for Super Bowl XLVI?
Quarterback Eli Manning earned the MVP honors after leading his squad to victory. His performance was crucial in stopping the Patriots from winning a third straight title.
What was the final score of Super Bowl XLVI?
New York secured the win with a narrow final score of 21-17 over their opponents. It remains one of the most celebrated wins in the franchise's modern era.
How many Super Bowl titles did this victory add to the Giants' record?
This success provided the franchise with its fourth Super Bowl championship ring. The win put them on equal ground with other great teams regarding total league titles.
Why is Super Bowl XLVI considered a historic rematch?
The game pitted New York against the defending champions who were chasing an unprecedented third consecutive championship. Beating that streak showcased guts and sharp strategy when it mattered most.
More in Championships & Records
Elsewhere in the New York Giants universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record