Commanders–Giants rivalry

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.

Commanders–Giants rivalry

Commanders/Football Team and Giants face off during the 2020 season.
Washington Commanders New York Giants
Location	Washington, D.C., New York City
First meeting	October 9, 1932 Braves 14, Giants 6[1]
Latest meeting	November 3, 2024 Commanders 27, Giants 22[1]
Next meeting	2025
Stadiums	Commanders: Northwest Stadium Giants: MetLife Stadium
Statistics
Meetings total	186[1]
All-time series	Giants: 108–73–5[1]
Regular season series	Giants: 107–72–5[1]
Postseason results	Tie: 1–1[1]
Largest victory	Commanders: 49–13 (1975) Giants: 53–0 (1961)[1]
Longest win streak	Commanders: 11 (1971–1976) Giants: 8 (1961–1964)[1]
Current win streak	Commanders: 1 (2024–present)[1]
Post-season history[1]
1943 NFL Eastern Division: Redskins won: 28–0 1986 NFC Championship: Giants won: 17–0

150km
100miles

Giants

Commanders

  

Locations of 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. 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.^[2] 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.^[3][4]

The Giants lead the overall series, 108–73–5. The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, winning one each.^[1]

Notable rivalry moments

• In 1937, their first season in Washington, D.C., the Washington Redskins were set to meet the New York Giants in the season finale in New York City at the Polo Grounds with the winner earning the right to play in the NFL Championship. The owner of the Washington Redskins, George Preston Marshall, loaded 12,000 fans and a 150 piece marching band onto trains and had them march an impromptu parade through New York City, all the while belting out "Hail to the Redskins". The tactic appeared to work as the Redskins went on to beat the Giants 49–14, going on to defeat the Chicago Bears in the 1937 NFL Championship.^[3]
• The Giants paid the Redskins back in 1938 with a 36–0 victory of their own, a win which propelled them to their own victory in the 1938 NFL Championship.^[3]
• In 1939 the Giants and Redskins again met in the last game of the season. Having tied in their first meeting 0–0 and having identical records (8–1–1) the two teams were playing for a spot in the NFL Championship game. The game was very competitive and the Redskins trailed 9–7 in the final moments. The Redskins attempted a field goal in the last seconds, seemingly giving them a victory. However, the field goal was called no good allowing the Giants to escape with a victory. The Redskins were irate, with one player even punching referee Bill Haloran. The outcome was so controversial that rumor has it George Preston Marshall, the Redskins owner, tried to pull strings to get Haloran fired from his day job as post master of Providence R.I., unsuccessfully. The Giants went on to lose the NFL Championship to the Green Bay Packers 27–0.^[3]
• On November 27, 1966 the Giants and Redskins participated in the highest combined scoring game in NFL history. The two teams combined for 16 touchdowns, 9 of which were of 30 yards or more. While the game was an offensive frenzy, the most memorable score was a Redskins field goal attempted with a few seconds remaining and the Giants trailing 69–41. Otto Graham, the Redskins head coach, claimed it was called merely to allow his kicker practice, but some claim that the field goal was ordered by Redskins middle linebacker and former Giant Sam Huff out of spite. In either case the final score was 72–41 and with 113 combined points the matchup remains the highest scoring game in league history.^[3]
• On November 18, 1985 in a Monday Night Football contest, the Redskins defeated the Giants 23–21. However, the win did not come without a loss as on one play the Redskins ran a flea-flicker, the Giants defense was not fooled by the play and Lawrence Taylor came from the outside and sacked quarterback Joe Theismann. The play is famous as that the sack injured Theismann's leg and effectively ended his career in the NFL. The Redskins missed the playoffs that season.
• The Giants and Redskins met in the playoffs for only second time in the 1986 NFC Championship game. The Giants were coming off a convincing victory over the 49ers in the previous round while the Redskins beat the Bears in the previous week. On a cold and windy day at Giants Stadium, the Giants scored 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the game and never were threatened. The Giants won 17-0, the first time a Joe Gibbs team had been shut out.
• On September 11, 2011 was opening day for the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI championship season of 2011. It also coincided with tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks; hence the NFL scheduled the Giants and the Redskins to meet that day, as the cities they represent were two metropolitan areas attacked on that day. FedExField was a patriotically and emotionally charged atmosphere as the two rivals took the field. Led by Eli Manning, the Giants took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Washington responded on a Tim Hightower touchdown run in the second. The two teams took a 14–14 tie into halftime. Washington took the lead in the third after Ryan Kerrigan intercepted a pass from Manning and scored. Washington's defense prevented New York from scoring in the second half and the Redskins ended a six-game losing streak to the Giants.^[5] The Redskins defeated the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 15, their first season sweep of the Giants since 1999.^[6]
• In 2012 the rivalry intensified significantly after a special NFL commission headed by Giants owner John Mara imposed a $36 million salary cap penalty on the Redskins (and a smaller one on the Dallas Cowboys) for the organization's approach to structuring contracts in the 2010 NFL season. After beating the Giants, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder within earshot of numerous media personnel, told a team employee that "I hate those motherf***ers" in the victorious locker room after the game. ^[7]
• On September 25, 2016, the winless Redskins visited the undefeated Giants. This game was significant due to the ongoing feud between star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and cornerback Josh Norman. In the previous season, Norman and Beckham had many on-field scrums during a game when Norman played for the Carolina Panthers. The Redskins won by a score of 29–27, sealing the win on an interception by Su'a Cravens. Beckham had an impressive 7 receptions and 121 yards, but was noticeably frustrated by Norman, and was especially apparent when he took his helmet and hit the kicker's practice net on the sidelines, causing it to fall on him. Giants center Weston Richburg was the first to ever be ejected by the new rule of being ejected after two unsportsmanlike penalties, one of which cost Beckham and the Giants a significant play.
• On November 23, 2017, the Redskins hosted the Giants in their first home Thanksgiving game in franchise history. The game was very defensive throughout, with both teams struggling to get anything going offensively in the first half. In the 3rd quarter, with the game tied 3–3, Kirk Cousins threw a 15-yard touchdown to Jamison Crowder to give the Redskins a 10–3 lead. The Giants tied the game later in the quarter after Janoris Jenkins returned a Cousins' interception 53-yards for a touchdown. The Redskins pulled away late in the fourth quarter with 10 straight points to win 20–10.
• The Giants got their 100th regular season victory over the Redskins on December 9, 2018, winning 40–16 at FedExField.^[8]
• 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.^[9]

Season-by-season results

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders Season-by-Season Results[1]
1930s (Giants, 9–5–2) Season Season series at New York Giants at Boston Braves Boston/Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1932 Braves 1–0–1 Tie 0–0 Braves 14–6 Braves 1–0–1 Braves join the NFL as an expansion team. 1933 Tie 1–1 Giants 7–0 Redskins 21–20 Redskins 2–1–1 Braves change their name to "Redskins". Both teams are placed in the NFL Eastern division as the league splits into two divisions. Giants lose 1933 NFL Championship. 1934 Giants 2–0 Giants 3–0 Giants 16–3 Giants 3–2–1 Giants win 1934 NFL Championship. 1935 Giants 2–0 Giants 17–6 Giants 20–12 Giants 5–2–1 Giants lose 1935 NFL Championship. 1936 Tie 1–1 Redskins 14–0 Giants 7–0 Giants 6–3–1 Last season Reskins played as a Boston-based team. Redskins lose 1936 NFL Championship. 1937 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 49–14 Redskins 13–3 Giants 6–5–1 Redskins relocate to Washington D.C. In New York, Redskins clinch the Eastern Division and eliminate the Giants from playoff contention with their win. Redskins win 1937 NFL Championship. 1938 Giants 2–0 Giants 36–0 Giants 10–7 Giants 8–5–1 Giants win 1938 NFL Championship. 1939 Giants 1–0–1 Giants 9–7 Tie 0–0 Giants 9–5–2 Giants clinch the Eastern Division and eliminate the Redskins from playoff contention with their win. Giants lose 1939 NFL Championship.
1940s (Giants, 12–9) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1940 Tie 1–1 Giants 21–7 Redskins 21–7 Giants 10–6–2 Redskins lose 1940 NFL Championship. 1941 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–13 Giants 17–0 Giants 12–6–2 Giants lose 1941 NFL Championship. 1942 Tie 1–1 Redskins 14–7 Giants 14–7 Giants 13–7–2 Redskins win 1942 NFL Championship. 1943 Giants 2–0 Giants 14–10 Giants 31–7 Giants 15–7–2 Both teams finished with 6–3–1 records, setting up a tiebreaker playoff game. 1943 Playoffs Redskins 1–0 Redskins 28–0 Giants 15–8–2 First postseason meeting. NFL Eastern Division. Redskins go on to lose 1943 NFL Championship. 1944 Giants 2–0 Giants 16–13 Giants 31–0 Giants 17–8–2 Giants lose 1944 NFL Championship. 1945 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 24–14 Redskins 17–0 Giants 17–10–2 Redskins lose 1945 NFL Championship. 1946 Tie 1–1 Giants 31–0 Redskins 24–14 Giants 18–11–2 Giants lose 1946 NFL Championship. From 1933–1946, either the Giants or Redskins won the NFL Eastern Division. 1947 Tie 1–1 Giants 35–10 Redskins 28–20 Giants 19–12–2 1948 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 28–21 Redskins 41–10 Giants 19–14–2 1969 Giants 2–0 Giants 23–7 Giants 45–35 Giants 21–14–2
1950s (Giants, 15–5) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1950 Giants 2–0 Giants 24–21 Giants 21–17 Giants 23–14–2 1951 Giants 2–0 Giants 28–14 Giants 35–14 Giants 25–14–2 1952 Tie 1–1 Redskins 27–17 Giants 14–10 Giants 26–15–2 1953 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 24–21 Redskins 13–9 Giants 26–17–2 1954 Giants 2–0 Giants 24–7 Giants 51–21 Giants 28–17–2 1955 Giants 2–0 Giants 35–7 Giants 27–20 Giants 30–17–2 1956 Tie 1–1 Giants 28–14 Redskins 33–7 Giants 31–18–2 Giants move to Yankee Stadium. Giants win 1956 NFL Championship. 1957 Tie 1–1 Redskins 31–14 Giants 24–20 Giants 32–19–2 1958 Giants 2–0 Giants 30–0 Giants 28–14 Giants 34–19–2 Giants lose 1958 NFL Championship. 1959 Giants 2–0 Giants 45–14 Giants 24–10 Giants 36–19–2 Giants lose 1959 NFL Championship.
1960s (Giants, 12–5–1) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1960 Giants 1–0–1 Tie 24–24 Giants 17–3 Giants 37–19–3 1961 Giants 2–0 Giants 53–0 Giants 24–21 Giants 39–19–3 Redskins open D.C. Stadium (now known as Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium). In New York, Giants record their largest victory over the Redskins with a 53–point differential and score their most points in a game against the Redskins. Giants lose 1961 NFL Championship. 1962 Giants 2–0 Giants 49–34 Giants 42–24 Giants 41–19–3 Giants lose 1962 NFL Championship. 1963 Giants 2–0 Giants 44–14 Giants 24–14 Giants 43–19–3 Giants lose 1963 NFL Championship. 1964 Tie 1–1 Giants 13–10 Redskins 36–21 Giants 44–20–3 Giants win eight straight meetings (1960–1964). 1965 Tie 1–1 Redskins 23–7 Giants 27–10 Giants 45–21–3 1966 Tie 1–1 Giants 13–10 Redskins 72–41 Giants 46–22–3 In Washington, Redskins set an NFL record for most points scored by one team and the game's final score is the highest-scoring game in NFL history (113 points). 1967 Redskins 1–0 no game Redskins 38–34 Giants 46–23–3 NFL expansion results in a split of each conference into two divisions. The Redskins are placed in the Capitol Division, while the Giants and New Orleans Saints alternate between the Capitol and Century Divisions each year. This resulted in only a single meeting between the Giants and Redskins in 1967 and 1969. 1968 Giants 2–0 Giants 48–21 Giants 13–10 Giants 48–23–3 1969 Redskins 1–0 no game Redskins 20–14 Giants 48–24–3
1970s (Redskins, 13–7) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1970 Giants 2–0 Giants 35–33 Giants 27–24 Giants 50–24–3 As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, the Giants and Redskins are placed in the National Football Conference (NFC) and the NFC East, once again becoming divisional rivals. 1971 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 30–3 Redskins 23–7 Giants 50–26–3 1972 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 23–16 Redskins 27–13 Giants 50–28–3 Redskins lose Super Bowl VII. 1973 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 21–3 Redskins 27–24 Giants 50–30–3 Due to renovations at Yankee Stadium, Giants temporarily play at Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut 1974 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 13–10 Redskins 24–3 Giants 50–32–3 Giants home was played at Yale Bowl. 1975 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 21–13 Redskins 49–13 Giants 50–34–3 Giants home game was played at Shea Stadium in New York. In Washington, Redskins record their largest victory over the Giants with a 36–point differential. 1976 Tie 1–1 Giants 12–9 Redskins 19–17 Giants 51–35–3 Giants open Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Redskins win 11 straight meetings (1971–1976). 1977 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–17 Giants 17–6 Giants 53–35–3 1978 Tie 1–1 Giants 17–6 Redskins 16–13(OT) Giants 54–36–3 1979 Tie 1–1 Giants 14–6 Redskins 27–0 Giants 55–37–3
1980s (Redskins, 11–10) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1980 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 23–21 Redskins 16–13 Giants 55–39–3 1981 Tie 1–1 Redskins 30–27(OT) Giants 17–7 Giants 56–40–3 1982 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 27–17 Redskins 15–14 Giants 56–42–3 Both games played despite players strike reducing the season to 9 games. Redskins win Super Bowl XVII. 1983 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 33–17 Redskins 31-22 Giants 56–44–3 Redskins lose Super Bowl XVIII. 1984 Tie 1–1 Giants 37–13 Redskins 30–14 Giants 57–45–3 1985 Tie 1–1 Giants 17–3 Redskins 23–21 Giants 58–46–3 Both teams finished with 10–6 records, but the Giants clinched a playoff berth based on a better conference record, thereby eliminating the Redskins from playoff contention. 1986 Giants 2–0 Giants 27–10 Giants 24–14 Giants 60–46–3 Giants win Super Bowl XXI. 1986 Playoffs Giants 1–0 Giants 17–0 Giants 61–46–3 Second postseason meeting. NFC Championship Game. Giants go on to win Super Bowl XXI. 1987 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 38–12 Redskins 23–19 Giants 61–48–3 Redskins win Super Bowl XXII. 1988 Giants 2–0 Giants 27–20 Giants 24–23 Giants 63–48–3 1989 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–17 Giants 27–24 Giants 65–48–3
1990s (Giants, 11–8–1) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 1990 Giants 2–0 Giants 21–10 Giants 24–20 Giants 67–48–3 Giants win Super Bowl XXV. 1991 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 17–13 Redskins 34–17 Giants 67–50–3 Redskins win Super Bowl XXVI. 1992 Tie 1–1 Redskins 28–10 Giants 24–7 Giants 68–51–3 1993 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–6 Giants 41–7 Giants 70–51–3 1994 Giants 2–0 Giants 31–23 Giants 21–19 Giants 72–51–3 1995 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–13 Giants 24–15 Giants 74–51–3 1996 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 31–10 Redskins 31–21 Giants 74–53–3 1997 Giants 1–0–1 Giants 30–10 Tie 7–7(OT) Giants 75–53–4 Redskins open Jack Kent Cooke Stadium (now known as Northwest Stadium). First tie game in the series since the 1974 introduction of overtime. Giants clinch the NFC East with their win. 1998 Tie 1–1 Giants 31–24 Redskins 21–14 Giants 76–54–4 1999 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 50–21 Redskins 23–13 Giants 76–56–4
2000s (Giants, 14–6) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 2000 Tie 1–1 Redskins 16–6 Giants 9–7 Giants 77–57–4 Giants lose Super Bowl XXXV. 2001 Tie 1–1 Giants 23–9 Redskins 35–21 Giants 78–58–4 2002 Giants 2–0 Giants 19–17 Giants 27–21 Giants 80–58–4 2003 Tie 1–1 Redskins 20–7 Giants 24–21(OT) Giants 81–59–4 2004 Tie 1–1 Giants 20–14 Redskins 31–7 Giants 82–60–4 Giants draft QB Eli Manning. 2005 Tie 1–1 Giants 36–0 Redskins 35–20 Giants 83–61–4 2006 Giants 2–0 Giants 19–3 Giants 34–28 Giants 85–61–4 2007 Tie 1–1 Redskins 23–10 Giants 24–17 Giants 86–62–4 Giants win Super Bowl XLII. 2008 Giants 2–0 Giants 16–7 Giants 23–7 Giants 88–62–4 Game in New York was the NFL Kickoff Game. 2009 Giants 2–0 Giants 23–17 Giants 45–12 Giants 90–62–4
2010s (Giants, 13–7) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Redskins Overall series Notes 2010 Giants 2–0 Giants 31–7 Giants 17–14 Giants 92–62–4 Giants open New Meadowlands Stadium (now known as MetLife Stadium). 2011 Redskins 2–0 Redskins 23–10 Redskins 28–14 Giants 92–64–4 Redskins sweep the season series against the Giants for the first time since the 1999 season. Giants win Super Bowl XLVI. 2012 Tie 1–1 Giants 27–23 Redskins 17–16 Giants 93–65–4 2013 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–6 Giants 24–17 Giants 95–65–4 2014 Giants 2–0 Giants 24–13 Giants 45–14 Giants 97–65–4 2015 Tie 1–1 Giants 32–21 Redskins 20–14 Giants 98–66–4 2016 Tie 1–1 Redskins 29–27 Giants 19–10 Giants 99–67–4 Giants eliminate the Redskins from playoff contention with their win. 2017 Tie 1–1 Giants 18–10 Redskins 20–10 Giants 100–68–4 Game in Washington was played on Thanksgiving. Giants record their 100th win over the Redskins, becoming only the second team in NFL history to record 100 wins over a single opponent (joining the Green Bay Packers, who defeated the Detroit Lions 100 times). 2018 Tie 1–1 Redskins 20–13 Giants 40–16 Giants 101–69–4 2019 Giants 2–0 Giants 24–3 Giants 41–35(OT) Giants 103–69–4 Final season for Giants' QB Eli Manning.
2020s (Giants, 5–4–1) Season Season series at New York Giants at Washington Football Team/Commanders Overall series Notes 2020 Giants 2–0 Giants 20–19 Giants 23–20 Giants 105–69–4 After decades of controversy, Washington retires the "Redskins" name and temporarily adopted the title "Washington Football Team". 2021 Washington 2–0 Washington 22–7 Washington 30–29 Giants 105–71–4 In Washington, Washington's K Dustin Hopkins missed the game-winning field goal, but a Giants offside gave him another chance, which he successfully made. Washington sweeps the season series against the Giants for the first time since the 2011 season. 2022 Giants 1–0–1 Tie 20–20(OT) Giants 20–12 Giants 106–71–5 Washington Football Team adopts the "Commanders" name. 2023 Giants 2–0 Giants 14–7 Giants 31–19 Giants 108–71–5 2024 Commanders 2–0 Commanders 27–22 Commanders 21–18 Giants 108–73–5
Summary of Results Season Season series at New York Giants at Boston Braves Boston/Washington Redskins Washington Football Team/Commanders Notes Regular season Giants, 107–73–5 Giants, 57–31–3 Giants, 50–41–2 Postseason Tie 1–1 Tie 1–1 no games NFL Eastern Division: 1943 NFC Championship: 1986 Regular and postseason Giants, 108–72–5 Giants, 58–31–3 Giants, 50–41–3 Giants have a 3–2 record in Boston. Redskins/Commanders have a 2–0 record at Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut (1973), (1974), both accounted for as Giants' home games.

See also

• List of NFL rivalries
• NFC East
• Capitals–Rangers rivalry
• Capitals–Islanders rivalry
• N.Y. Red Bulls–D.C. United rivalry

References

1. "All Matchups, Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants". Pro Football Reference.
2. DeArdo, Bryan (July 1, 2020). "NFL Throwback Thursday: Browns-Broncos among the classic rivalries during the 1980s". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
3. Hanlon, Greg (November 30, 2008). "Top 10 Moments in the Giants-Redskins Rivalry". The New York Times.
4. Doug Farrar (2012-12-04). "Dan Snyder's profane joy in Redskins win based on salary cap penalties". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
5. Fitzgerald, Gary (September 11, 2011). "For Openers, Redskins Defeat Giants 28–14". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
6. Jones, Mike (December 19, 2011). "Redskins/NFL". The Washington Post.
7. Doug Farrar (2012-12-04). "Dan Snyder's profane joy in Redskins win based on salary cap penalties". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
8. Benton, Dan (December 9, 2018). "Giants blow out Redskins 40-16: Studs, duds, and studly duds". Giants Wire.
9. Schwartz, Paul. "Giants doomed by kicker calamity in absurd last-second loss to Commanders". New York Post. Retrieved 17 September 2024.