This year will not go down as one of the finer ones in New York Giants history. This decade will, though. Here, to my recollection, is a list of the top 10 games of the decade.
I'm sure I have missed a few, and that you may have a different order in mind. As long as it gets you thinking about, and discussing, happier times that's fine with me.
10.Giants 21, Steelers 14 (Oct. 26, 2008 @ Pittsburgh) -- The Giants defeated the eventual Super Bowl champs in this one. Looking back on it, just another reason to be disappointed in the way the '08 season ended.
9. Giants 30, Ravens 10 (Nov. 16, 2008) -- No. 1 rushing attack (Giants) vs. No. 1 rushing defense (Ravens). The Giants overwhelmed the Ravens, with 207 yards. That's the way they USED to play football. I miss those days.
8. Giants 34, Carolina 28 OT (Dec. 21, 2008) -- Needing to win to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs the Giants overcame on eight-point deficit to win in overtime. Derrick Ward had a remarkable 215-yards, 15-carry performance.
7. Giants 33, Cowboys 31 (Sept. 20, 2009, Dallas, Tx.) -- The Giants ruining the opening-night festivities at the brand-new, obnoxiously-adorned JerryDome is undeniably the brightest spot in a season that has not had enough highlights.
6. Giants 34, Redskins 28 (Dec. 30, 2006) -- Tiki Barner's record-setting 234-yard rushing performance in the final game of the regular season. It propelled the Giants to the playoffs, and may have saved Tom Coughlin's job. It was also a heckuva way to go out in what was Barber's final regular-season game.
5. Giants 16, Eagles 3 (Sept. 30, 2007) -- Forever known as the Winston Justice game. Or, the night Osi Umenyiora embarrassed a rookie tackle by recording six sacks. As a team, the Giants ended up with 12 that night.
4. New England 38, Giants 35 (Dec. 29, 2007) -- Yeah, a loss makes the list. That is because this is the loss, in the final game of the regular season, that propelled the Giants to Super Bowl glory. They fought the unbeaten Patriots right to the end, and this was the game that made them believe they were good enough to win the big prize.
3. Giants 23, Packers 20, OT (NFC Championship Game, Jan. 20, 2008, Lambeau Field) -- So much about this I will never forget. Tom Coughlin's Rudolph nose. Corey Webster's interception of Brett Favre. Lawrence Tynes crazily running off the field after the winning kick. The most disappointing thing about 2009 is that I think we were all hoping for more moments like that one.
2. Giants 41, Minnesota 0 (2000 NFC Championship Game, Jan. 14, 2001) -- Simply has to rank as the most dominant performance by a Giants team this decade. The fact that it propelled the Giants to a Super Bowl will leave it burned into my memory banks forever.
1. Giants 17, Patriots 14 (Super Bowl XLII, Feb. 3, 2008) -- What else could possibly be No. 1 on this list? The greatest experience of my life as a Giants fan -- far greater than Scott Norwood's wide right.