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NFL History: Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history

By Nick Villano

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 and Brandon Jacobs #34 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 36-21. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 and Brandon Jacobs #34 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 36-21. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants (Photo by Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images) /

Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history: 2. 2007 New York Giants

It is still the biggest upset in football. Maybe it isn’t exactly the greatest upset in terms of betting line, but when it comes to perception, the New York Giants went into the 2007-08 Super Bowl with no chance of winning. They were a wild card team that just happened to go on a run, and the Patriots were freaking undefeated.

Before this, the Giants were facing intense scrutiny. Eli Manning was facing the “bust” word already. Tom Coughlin was coaching for his job because his strict rules might have been rubbing people the wrong way. Michael Strahan (yes, he used to be a football player) was playing in his last season.

The Giants actually played the Patriots at Giants Stadium in Week 17. New York almost ended the undefeated season before they ended the undefeated season. Randy Moss and Tom Brady did break the touchdowns record in this game, and they snuck by to go into the playoffs undefeated in the regular season.

However, going toe to toe with the undefeated Patriots gave the Giants the confidence they need. They beat the Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Packers all on the road. The Packers game was especially legendary because it was one of the coldest games on record. The wind chill was -23 degrees. This game ended up going into overtime, keeping poor Tom Coughlin out in the cold even longer. Lawrence Tynes hit the longest game-winning field goal when the temperature is below freezing ever.

In the Super Bowl, the Giants pass rush made it impossible on the Patriots. Brady looked overmatched, and then a little luck went on the Giants side. Eli Manning tried to throw the ball away, but Asante Samuel found a way to get his hands on it. He couldn’t haul it in, and the Giants got another chance. Manning was almost sacked a few plays later, but he got out of it, he threw the ball up for a prayer, and David Tyree brought it down for what’s now known as “the Helmet Catch”. Plaxico Burress would get open for the game-winning touchdown, and the Giants would go down in history.

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