Although many rivalries would struggle to scrape together five important and exciting games since the turn of the millennium, I had no problem producing 10 Giants-Cowboys games worthy of recognition.
And tomorrow, a new chapter will be written.
On Sunday, September 20, the Cowboys will host the Giants as they debut their new $1.2 billion Cowboy Stadium on Sunday Night Football.
Whether this game is won on a last-second field goal or a Hail Mary pass that bounces off of the over-sized video screen and into the waiting arms of a receiver, this game promises to be an exciting, meaningful game, keeping in tradition with the history of this rivalry.
10. Cowboys Win Sunday Night Opener In Shootout
Sept 9, 2007 @ Dallas
Cowboys win 45-35
Down 31-19 at halftime, the Giants (0-1) came back to pull within three.
But the Cowboys (1-0) offense was just too much for the Giants defense under new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Tony Romo hit Sam Hurd for a 51-yard touchdown pass that put the game out of reach.
The Cowboys offense put on a show for the fans watching the 2007 Sunday night opener. Tony Romo threw four touchdown passes, two to Terrell Owens and one to Jason Witten.
Plaxico Burress caught three of Eli Manning‘s four touchdown passes.
This was the first game in what turned out to be great seasons for both teams. Dallas finished 13-3 and clinched home field throughout the playoffs.
The Giants finished 10-6 and went on to win Super Bowl XLII. This was their only road loss of the season
9. Giants Survive Cowboys’ Attempted Comeback
December 4, 2005 @ NY
Giants Win 17-10
The Giants (8-4) had an early 17-0 lead, but never put the Cowboys (7-5) away until the closing minutes of the game.
Brent Alexander had a key interception of Drew Bledsoe with just over two minutes left, that helped the Giants stop a Cowboys rally.
By winning this game, the Giants avenged an overtime loss from earlier in the season and jumped a full game in front of the Cowboys. They went on to win the NFC East.
8. Eli’s Coming
Jan 4, 2005 @ NY
Giants Win 28-24
The Giants (6-10) staged a furious comeback, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to give Eli Manning his first win. The victory ended Tom Coughlin’s first season as the Giants’ head coach on a high note.
With 11 seconds left, Manning called an audible from pass to run. Tiki Barber scored on a three-yard run to give the Giants the win over the Cowboys (6-10).
Tiki Barber’s 95 rushing yards gave him the Giants’ career rushing record. The three-yard run gave him 1,518 rushing yards for the season, a Giants’ single-season record (which he topped the next two seasons). His 2,096 all purpose yards was tops in the league.
Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes in a game that saw his first of many fourth-quarter comebacks.
7. First of the Millennium
Jan. 2, 2000 @ Dallas
Cowboys Win 26-18
Though this week 17 game was technically part of the 1999 season, it was the first meeting between these two teams in the new millennium.
With both teams needing a win to make the playoffs, the Cowboys (8-8) beat the Giants (7-9) and clinched the final NFC wild card spot.
Troy Aikman hit Jason Tucker on a 90-yard touchdown pass, giving Dallas a 23-3 lead, and the Cowboys never looked back.
The loss ended a miserable second half for the Giants, after leading the NFC East at mid-season.
6. Cortez’ Overtime Winner
Oct 16, 2005 @ Dallas
Dallas Wins 16-13 in OT
The Giants tied the game late on 28-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Jeremy Shockey with 19 seconds left.
But the Cowboys won the overtime coin toss, and never looked back. Jose Cortez kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Cowboys (4-2) the win over the rival Giants (3-2).
Keyshawn Johnson had eight receptions for 120 yards.
5. Gramatica’s Dagger
Dec. 3, 2006 @ NY
Dallas Wins 23-20
With only five games left and both teams fighting for their playoff lives, the Cowboys beat the Giants in Giants Stadium on a last-second field goal.
Martin Gramatica’s 46-yard field goal sunk the Giants (6-6) as time expired, giving his Cowboys (8-4) a two-game lead in the NFC East. Gramatica had just been signed to replace the recently released Mike Vanderjagt.
Tony Romo had a poor game, including two interceptions, but his key 42-yard pass to Jason Witten set up the game winning field goal.
4. Giants Show ‘New York’ Toughness
Nov. 4, 2001 @ Dallas
Giants Win 27-24 OT
Less than two months after Sept. 11, 2001, the Giants (4-4) gave the New York faithful something to cheer about with a thrilling overtime win against the rival Cowboys (2-5).
Morten Andersen, playing in his 300th career game, kicked a 42-yard field goal to win it in overtime, after New York staged a furious 17-point comeback to tie the game with just under seven minutes remaining.
Kerry Collins threw two second-half touchdowns and the Giants’ defense recorded four second-half interceptions and a blocked punt.
3. Giants Make Good On Fassell’s Guarantee; Clinch NFC East
December 17, 2000 @ Dallas
Giants Win 17-13
Down 13-0 at halftime to the struggling Cowboys (5-10), the Giants scored 17 unanswered points, with touchdowns by Amani Toomer and Tiki Barber, plus a Brad Daluiso field goal. The Giants (11-4) won their fourth in a row since Jim Fassel’s famous playoff guarantee.
The victory gave the Giants the NFC East title. It also moved them to within one win of home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which they rode to their third Super Bowl appearance.
2. Bill Parcells Giveth And Bill Parcells Taketh Away; The Same Goes For Matt Bryant
Sept 15, 2003 @ NY
Cowboys Win 35-32 in OT
Matt Bryant gave the Giants (1-1) a 32-29 lead with a 30 yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining. But on the ensuing kickoff, Bryant booted the ball out of bounds, giving the Cowboys (1-1) the ball at their own 40.
Quincy Carter then threw a 25-yard pass to Antonio Bryant, setting up a 51-yard Billy Cundiff field goal to send the game into overtime. Cundiff added a 25 yarder to win it in overtime. His seven field goals tied an NFL record.
It was Parcells’ first win as Cowboys coach, and it came against his former team in his former stadium on Monday night.
1. Road Warrior Giants Topple #1 Seeded Cowboys
Jan 13, 2008 @ Dallas
Giants Win 21-17
It was a game so emotional, it made even the toughest wide receiver cry.
Despite losing both regular season battles, the Giants (12-6) upset # 1 seed Dallas (13-4) in the playoffs by a score of 21-17 to advance to the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay.
It was the first of three classic games on the road to their Super Bowl 42 victory, and their ninth straight road win.
Amani Toomer had four receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Jacobs had a one-yard touchdown run that gave the Giants a four point lead with 1:31 left.
The Cowboys drove down the field to within striking distance of the end zone, but R.W. McQuarters intercepted Tony Romo in the end zone in the final seconds of the game, giving the Giants the thrilling victory.
Shockingly, this is the only playoff battle these two franchises have ever played, but it might be the greatest game the rivalry has seen.
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