New York Giants Seasons - Notes

Notes

• A The NFL did not hold playoff games until 1932. The team that finished with the best regular season record was awarded the league championship.
• B In 1933, the league split into East and West divisions.
• C In 1950, the league switched to American and National conferences.
• D This was the first championship game in NFL history where an overtime period was played, and has been nicknamed "The Greatest Game Ever Played".
• E In 1978, the NFL expanded its regular season schedule, which had been 14 games since 1961, to 16 games.
• F Due to the 1982 NFL strike, the league was split into two conferences, instead of its usual divisional alignment. The season was shortened to nine games, and the top eight teams in each conference earned berths in an expanded 16-team playoff tournament.
• G The Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins finished the 1985 season with identical 10–6 records. Dallas was awarded the NFC East title because they had the best head-to-head record among the three teams. The Giants were awarded a wild card berth because of their record in NFC play, while Washington did not qualify for the playoffs due to a head-to-head loss against the San Francisco 49ers, who also finished 10–6.
• H The 1987 NFL strike caused the schedule to be reduced to 15 games.
• I The Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams (NFC West), and New Orleans Saints (NFC West) finished the 1988 season with identical 10–6 records. Philadelphia was awarded the NFC East title due to a sweep of the Giants in regular season play, while Los Angeles was awarded a wild card berth based on winning percentage in NFC play. The Giants did not qualify for the playoffs.