1/5/2003 Giants at 49ers NFC Wild Card Playoff

Sunday, January 5, 2003
49ers were favored by 3
Over/Under: 41

[@AlexForzano]

This was an ultimate collapse by the Giants. My dad recalls Troy Aikman saying something like “this game is far from over” when the 49ers started coming back

[@lucd1zzle972]

It doesn’t get any more iconic than that highlight music. Miss Berman and Jackson recapping the NFL day.

[@evanhullinger2900]

This game was the beginning of the end for the Jim Fassel lead Giants. Cause after this incredible choke job they never recovered from it going into the following year. The next year they went just 4-12 and it lead to the firing of Jim Fassel. And it lead into the Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning era of Giant football.

[@STP43FAN1]

The most baffling part of 2003 was the Giants had a massive turnover problem yet never solved it.

[@randydubin7118]

Well, at least the NFL didn't block this one...

[@roguegust8832]

R.I.P Jim Fassel. Passed away last night.

[@Kenny49ERS]

Maybe in 50,000 years they’ll find fossils of Jim Fassel? Too soon?

[@SMP1993]

Wow, crazy unfortunate timing with this being posted the same day Jim Fassel dies. RIP.

[@seanbennettsr.8604]

The infamous long snapper game lmaooooo, I remember watching this game man the memories.

[@playoffexpert3938]

I always loved the Fox camera angles from circa 2001-2003

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Not shown: Jeremy Shockey dropping a TD with under 5 minutes left in the third quarter that could have sealed this game for the NY Giants

[@NYG5]

Such an unfortunate drop because Shockey was actually pretty clutch in big time moments. A missing TD in what would have been another Collins 5 TD playoff game. In another universe we would have seen how that Bucs matchup worked out.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Ah yes, now THIS is the one I was waiting for!

[@JoshuaZ.94]

Great Game

[@claytonstewart6831]

This is the goods

[@californiaman4000]

49ers' last playoff appearance until 2011.

[@STP43FAN1]

And wouldn’t you know that next playoff run would feature the fourth most iconic non-Superbowl playoff game in Niners history after The Catch, The Catch TO, and The Comeback

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

This game marked -Steve Mariucci’s last career playoff win as a head coach -Steve Mariucci’s last career win as head coach of the 49ers -The first playoff win as starting QB for Jeff Garcia -The last playoff win for Terrell Owens with the 49ers -The last playoff game for Kerry Collins and Jim Fassel with the NY Giants

[@scottaznavourian540]

Marriuchi might still be coaching if he drafted brady.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

@@scottaznavourian540 And Terry Donahue would still be GM…no thanks

[@scottaznavourian540]

@@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly if I've learned anything it's that people around brady instantly look better when he takes over. Edit and half a day later Licht and arians get extensions to prove my point for me....

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

@@scottaznavourian540 Perhaps…but do you see the 49ers building the defense Brady had his first five years or so in NE?

[@scottaznavourian540]

@@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly You mean the overated defense that underperformed till he took over...don't u see the recurring theme....and the niners would certainly have had better offenses then bellichick gave him in the early years

[@astrostar49]

Awww man, not looking for the Bucs/49ers thrashing that's going to be posted in a few days.

[@SeanNYGNYR]

Something tells me the Giants will get revenge in 9 years.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Ouch😑

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

Well this is revenge for the 1990 NFC title game. Fittingly the NY Giants lost on miscues such as a fumbled snap. How the SF 49ers wish it would have happened then with a SB berth on the line! 😂

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

Steelers: Nothing this weekend can top our comeback! 49ers: Hold My Beer

[@sycasey]

I remember this was part of Berman's promo for the next batch of highlights: Steelers had the 5th greatest comeback ever, WHO KNEW it would only be the second best of the DAY?!

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

Browns would get their revenge 18 years later lol!

[@STP43FAN1]

Meanwhile the Titans next week got revenge 20-plus years after Luv Ya Blue got steamrolled twice by the Steelers in the playoffs (and 13 after Jerry Glanville’s final game as Oilers coach, a playoff overtime loss)

[@jpete3027666]

The game that ended Ahmed Plummer’s career

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

0:20 Here’s a reason why Terrell Owens is the strongest receiver in NFL history

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

@Steve Kovaleski giving effort was never a problem with T.O.

[@hajiallie4484]

Then they would have another crazy playoff game In 2011

[@kaybevang536]

Oh Kyle Williams had one job .... no offense to Kyle Williams no one has forgiven him even Seattle and Rams and Cardinals fans would be pissed that’s how much he threw the game away for the niners

[@redmustangredmustang]

The sad part is the little known long snapper Trey Junkin who will sadly be forever remembered for those two bad snaps. In some positions like long snapper, you don't want your name called out by the play by play guy. Sadly that happened for him that day.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

I read an article that compared a long-snapper to a toilet. When it's working properly, you barely notice it; but when it breaks, everyone's scrambling like crazy to fix it.

[@claytonstewart6831]

RIP Jim Fassel

[@sycasey]

This highlight missed that the Giants also shanked a field goal BADLY late in the 4th that could have put them up by more, enabling the 49ers' final comeback. Their failure on the last-second was not shocking at all.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

They had long-snapper issues… that’s why that dropped TD by Shockey was so huge

[@sycasey]

@@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly Right, I remember they had signed Junkin off the street prior to this game because of all the FG snapping problems they were having.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

I think he was their 5th long snapper on the year; they had resorted to using their center. But Fassel remembered Junkin from sharing time in Arizona, so he called him up.

[@kaybevang536]

If Only Garcia was a drafted in the nfl when he was younger he would have been the most well known QBs in the league but hey he still had a decent career with the niners and other teams “accept the browns “

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

This game became the signature moment of Jeff Garcia’s career. His big play abilities may have fallen off some in 2002, but his accuracy and mobility did not

[@playoffexpert3938]

Something did happen to him in 2002, he also played the same way in 03 as well, but they lost more games.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

@@playoffexpert3938 The locker room was falling apart and Dennis Erickson was complete garbage

[@sycasey]

@@playoffexpert3938 What happened was that the 49ers ownership forced out Mariucci and put in Dennis Erickson, who sucked as an NFL coach.

[@playoffexpert3938]

Statistically they were better than the 2002 team but coaching really made a difference honestly. This was still a team who were destined to go to the playoffs had they had the right coach

[@playoffexpert3938]

Mooch was a ok coach not great but an ok coach to say the least. He made a lot of mental mistakes with clock management and stuff

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Ahmed Plummer was burnt toast for much of this game

[@jpete3027666]

This might be the worst game I’ve ever seen a corner play

[@playoffexpert3938]

Sad how he ended his career like that. He had potential

[@josephvanhorn5347]

These teams have played each other 42 times. They’re dead even at 17 wins each during the regular season and 4 wins each in the postseason. The Giants won both times they faced the 49ers in the NFC championship game. Both of those games took place in San Francisco as well as 6 of the 8 playoff games these teams have played. The last 5 playoff games they played were decided by 3, 1, 41, 2, and 46 points. Despite being located on opposite coasts both teams have been able to win games in the other’s stadium. This is a neat and underrated rivalry because of the distance between the teams. The 49ers are known to hate the Seahawks and Raiders while the Giants are famous rivals with the Cowboys and Eagles.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

We hate Dallas and the Rams more than the Raiders

[@josephvanhorn5347]

I guess that makes sense. Those rivalries are based on history. The teams the 49ers have played their biggest games against more recently are the Packers and Seahawks. I thought the 49ers and Raiders fought over territory before the Raiders moved to Vegas?

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

@@josephvanhorn5347 49ers/Raiders is mostly a fan rivalry in the Bay Area and NorCal…the teams themselves only really play each other every 4 years (or 3 years at least before realignment)

[@josephvanhorn5347]

Yeah I get it. I always thought the fans of both teams hated each other because of claiming the same territory.

[@edwardrichardson9543]

Shoutout to NFL Primetime for having the Buffalo Bills music during them highlights

[@MoveInSilence36]

49ers exhausted all their energy to complete their comeback

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Nobody was beating the 02 Bucs anyway

[@kaybevang536]

@@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly now imagine if Tampa had a real QB in 03

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

@@kaybevang536 well now they have 1 in TB12 who led them to their next SB win!

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

Tai Streets (of San Francisco)

[@TB-vz8xg]

I don't think there has been a better Wild Card Sunday than this one.

[@NYG5]

The Browns also had their bedshitting the day before, no?

[@sycasey]

@@NYG5 Same day.

[@KyleCaughlin]

A classic playoff rivalry renewed

[@playoffexpert3938]

Lmao 3:54

[@evanhullinger2900]

I remember that image. And when I saw that that's when I knew and you knew that the comeback was on. And the collapse was on. That was not a smart move on Strahan's part.

[@reverend_wintondupree]

2:25 Another 49ers punt return mistake against the Giants

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Special teams turnovers are the worst turnovers

[@pp3k3jamail]

I remember this classic.

[@allstarchris1]

Ahhh yes but the Giants would get revenge 9 years later in the NFC Championship game.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Don’t remind me 😑

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

Well this is revenge for the 1990 NFC title game. Fittingly the NY Giants lost on miscues such as a fumbled snap. How the SF 49ers wish it would have happened then with a SB berth on the line! 😂

[@zack6701]

4:18 Lions HC Dan Campbell kicked the helmet

[@Kenny49ERS]

This was great

[@jamesb1988]

That old guy behind Garcia during post-game interview looks like he's at the library about to fall asleep lol. 6:32 that is look of contempt!

[@Jeremy_theGent]

UGGGGHHHH... Just...how? The entire season's flaws wrapped up in roughly 18 minutes. Stupid penalties, soft late-game defense, and mind-boggling special teams blunders. This loss changed the course of the Giants' franchise.

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

5:08 The refs made the correct call here…if your team blows a 24 point lead they simply don’t deserve to win the game, period!

[@Jeremy_theGent]

I agree that this loss is on the Giants melting down, but it was the wrong call; the league admitted the next day that there should have been pass interference, should have been offsetting penalties, should have been one untimed down.

[@kaybevang536]

@@Jeremy_theGent a would have should have they say but shit happens

[@Jeremy_theGent]

And I think it's safe to say the Giants could very well have screwed up the retry anyway.

[@Eli-ss9gj]

That’s not how it works lmao. Sure they blew the lead but with any time on the clock they still have a chance.. they should have won the game right there. That was blatant PI (the defender literally tackled the receiver before the ball got to him), the refs blew that call.

[@elliebrown8633]

@@Eli-ss9gj To quote Steve Mariucci, "Bummer."

[@robinhoodhustsle1356]

To should of found Strahan after the game

[@edwardrichardson9543]

That day was entire crazy. They had to follow up with what the Browns and Steelers did.

[@jpete3027666]

I know people said it should have been offsetting penalties at the end, but you should be able to tackle an ineligible receiver if you wanted to…

[@sycasey]

I always thought it was kind of poetic justice they never called interference. The offense shouldn't be able to just run a bunch of linemen downfield and confuse the defense into committing PI. But technically, since it was a FG package that lineman was lined up as a tight end and therefore eligible. Why the Giants coaches didn't attempt to inform the refs of this fact I'll never know.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

I'm pretty sure they did. Granted, we can't hear what they tell the refs after the play, but they inform them before a play if a lineman checks in as eligible. It's announced over the loudspeaker.

[@sycasey]

@@Jeremy_theGent Before the play I'm sure they did announce it, but in watching the full video it's weird how the refs announce the game is over and Fassel just stands there like, "Oh well." No one is screaming in the referee's ear that actually that guy is an eligible receiver?

[@jpete3027666]

I guess I didn’t know that about the lineman being eligible… I believe there are 5 eligible every play. Maybe on FGs players don’t need to check in as eligible, it’s based on where they line up? Interesting.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

I think it's the last 2 players at both ends of the line. They declare themselves eligible before the game and the play.

[@michaelm2998]

Not sure why the 49ers fired Mooch after this season…he had them in the playoffs in 2001 & 02 with Jeff Garcia at QB

[@NYG5]

Giants pass rush SUCKED this game, Strahan's worst game as a pro. Once Kenny Holmes got injured on the 4th down stop, Garcia had ALL DAY to stand back there. The problem with the Fassel/Ernie Accorsi Giants by 2002 is that they had NO depth, particularly at dline, WR, and corner.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

This was a time where they really missed John Fox as defensive coordinator.

[@reverend_wintondupree]

The Giants defense also went to too many Dime and Quarter formations allowing Garcia to find time to his receivers with said poor pass rush. Was recipe for disaster. Fun fact: Giants DC Johnny Lynn would eventually go on to coach DBs for the 49ers.

[@scottaznavourian540]

Don't worry giants in 14 years this will be pretty far down the list...

[@playoffexpert3938]

Wasn’t Jeremy Shockey supposed to be a junior had he didn’t play in the NFL?

[@allstarchris1]

Yea but he played as a true freshman so since he played his freshman and sophomore seasons he was eligible for the draft.

[@jsloime5803]

These 2 will rematch in this years wildcard

[@Rob0917]

The Giants even make the playoffs? 😆

[@Hannah-lq2ps]

Giants would have made the conference finals that year had they not played prevent the entire second half in this game

[@fortynights1513]

You think they beat Tampa Bay? Also could the holder have spiked the ball and the kicker attempted a 51 yard field goal?

[@Hannah-lq2ps]

@@fortynights1513 if Tampa was the divisional opponent then who knows, the Giants were hot but probably not. The whole snap thing is playing Monday morning QB. Very few if any would have had the presence of mind to spike that ball. Besides, surprises of all surprises the refs let the game end on a penalty from what I remember. I think it was offsetting penalties which would have resulted in a re kick, you can't call a game on a penalty.

[@fortynights1513]

@@Hannah-lq2psI agree that it was a bad call and that you can’t let a game end on a penalty like that. And I agree that a holder wouldn’t have necessarily thought of spiking a ball (given that he’s not expecting a bad snap or to pass at all). Was just curious if it was theoretically possible for them to re-try the kick after the bad snap before time expired because there was one more down

[@Hannah-lq2ps]

@@fortynights1513 I was told it should have been a re kick on the school bus the day after. I didn't want to go to school for a year facing my eagles cowboys and jets fans 😂

[@Kenny49ERS]

🙋🏻‍♂️

[@CoreyT127]

Worse playoff memory as a Giants fan! Pass rush was none existent in the 4th. My wife was beeping the horn in the drive way none stop. As i watched the final play. Then came up the front steps bitching she had to carry the food! ( Wendys ) which I then launched into the front yard all over the snow!

[@Mark-xl1ze]

Classic

[@johnmccartney5461]

Here rule for all player never guard down how big lead you have this well happen in worst way

[@SMP1993]

Looks like you had a good night

[@buster60341]

I hate the 49ers but I was happy as hell that the Giants choke in that game

[@EvanRothfeld-f6u]

This video should be banned

[@gmpitt71]

RIP Jim Fassel