New York Giants Rivalry
The oldest rivalry in the NFC East, featuring two Super Bowl-winning teams and a history of dramatic moments.
The Commanders–Giants rivalry, formerly known as the Giants–Redskins rivalry, is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Washington Commanders and New York Giants. It began in 1932 with the founding of Washington's predecessors, the Boston Braves, and is the oldest rivalry in the NFC East Division.
Quick Facts
- First appears
- 1932 (Boston Braves era)
Lore & Background
This rivalry has seen periods of great competition such as the Giants and Redskins' competition for conference and division titles in the late 1930s, early 1940s and 1980s. Experts deem the 1980s as the most hotly contested period between these teams, as the Redskins under Joe Gibbs and the Giants under Bill Parcells competed for division titles and Super Bowls. During this span the two teams combined to win 7 NFC East Divisional Titles, 5 Super Bowls and competed in the 1986 NFC Championship Game with the Giants winning 17–0. This rivalry is storied and Wellington Mara, long time owner of the Giants, always said that he believed the Redskins were the Giants' truest rival.
Reader's Guide
The Giants lead the overall series, 108–75–5. The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, winning one each.
Did You Know?
- In 1937, the Redskins owner loaded 12,000 fans and a 150-piece marching band onto trains and had them march an impromptu parade through New York City before the season finale, which the Redskins won 49–14.
- The highest combined scoring game in NFL history occurred on November 27, 1966, when the Redskins defeated the Giants 72–41, totaling 113 points.
- On November 18, 1985, a sack by Lawrence Taylor ended quarterback Joe Theismann's career.
- On September 11, 2011, the Redskins defeated the Giants in an emotionally charged game marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
- On September 15, 2024, the Giants became the first team in NFL history to score three touchdowns, allow no touchdowns and lose in regulation, by a score of 21–18 to the Commanders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Washington Commanders and New York Giants rivalry begin?
The two franchises first met on the gridiron in 1936, back when Washington was still known as the Boston Braves. Their shared placement in the Eastern Conference turned that early contest into a recurring battle that has stretched across nearly nine decades of NFL history.
Which players and coaches are most associated with the Commanders-Giants rivalry?
Names like Sammy Baugh, Ronde Barber, and Lawrence Taylor come up constantly when fans discuss the series' all-time greats. On the sideline, coaches such as Vince Lombardi and George Allen shaped memorable stretches of this Eastern Conference war.
What period is considered the golden era of the Commanders-Giants rivalry?
From the mid-20th century through the 1980s, the two teams met with the frequency and intensity that made the rivalry a fixture of every NFL season. That stretch produced some of the most talked-about games and coaching matchups in league history.
Is the Commanders-Giants rivalry still going today?
Yes, the two clubs remain active Eastern Conference opponents and continue to meet on the schedule each season. While the competitive balance has shifted over the years, the historical weight of the series keeps it one of the most consequential regular-season matchups in the NFL.
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