Win Or Go Home: For the NFC East Title! (Cowboys vs. Giants 2011, Week 17)

Check out the 2011 Week 17 game highlights between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants!
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[@sportsman526]

This was the year the Giants beat the 15-1 Packers, the 13-3 49ers, and the 13-3 Patriots, all on the road to win the Super Bowl.

[@tomknapp6194]

Vs the 49ers, two fumbled punt returns turned into 10 points including the game winning FG when Eli only crossed midfield 2 other times all game. Rodgers had one of his worst games of the year. So did Brady and Eli still needed lucky plays in the SB to pull out a last second win. If even an average Rodgers or Brady shows up, neither one of those games are winnable by the Giants. The same goes for 2007 against the Cowboys, Packer, and Patriots. In all those games, each QB had one of his worst games of the year and Eli still barely won. In fact, in the 2007 regular season, those same teams scored an average of 35 points against the Giants and then in the playoffs, not one of them scores more than 20 and that was because of Eli? Please explain.

[@frankguidera6828]

In my opinion Eli should have won the MVP in 2011 the best performance by a quarterback ever in a single season from beginning to end. The greatest season a quarterback ever had.

[@kevinburke6055]

@@tomknapp6194 keep crying

[@tomknapp6194]

@@kevinburke6055 Keep crying because Eli isn't that good? I'm not crying about anything. Just educating people on how a few headlines does not define his 16 year below average career.

[@tomknapp6194]

@@frankguidera6828 Was he really that good? I know that in 2011, he did have the most playoff yards in history. But, let's think about this logically. He played 4 games. Most of the truly great QBs have a first round bye and will play a maximum of 3 games. So, it would be fair to take the average yards from QBs who played 3 or 4 games. Guess what happens then? Eli falls to 14th. That's a far cry from #1. In fact, 3 QBs were win about 100 yards of his record in only 3 games. But, if there is anything that defines Eli's career is that he just isn't that good and his totals are only because he throws a lot. Even below average results will eventually pile up. To illustrate that point, let's take the best yards/attempt in the post season and Eli falls to 19th. Seriously, people. He wasn't that good. Just about every one of his best "accomplishments" comes with a huge asterisk (like above) and if you look at the facts, it really isn't that impressive. His iron man streak is his only impressive stat. Eli should never be in the HoF.

[@KMC5240]

I hope whoever decided to add music to Cruzs' touchdown got a raise

[@torinquinton4742]

Instablaster.

[@jscherwin1]

I love the Giants and even I hated nbc adding that

[@ks3899]

Totally killed the moment you want the crowd atmosphere in a huge game; it was obviously meant to be an outright going to commercial and they messed up

[@stephbetter3806]

@@ks3899 a cut to a commercial right after a touchdown…. Great idea

[@ks3899]

@@stephbetter3806 no- I meant they were supposed to use that going to a commercial after the PAT or something when they usually have a little Outro to the break

[@Go_PSU]

Man I miss victor cruz and the salsa. Probably one of the most unique and storied TD dances of all time

[@JoeTuman]

If he’d stayed healthy he and young OBJ would’ve been lethal

[@scottajones3]

Well said

[@ljgod7532]

Man he was my first football fan

[@andrewpadaetz5549]

Right up there with "White Shoes" Johnson's leg wobble for best end zone celebration.

[@Pickledfeet165]

I remember watching Cruz during a 2010 preseason game. He torched the Jets for like 6 catches 140+ yards and 3 TDs. I saw that and was like “man this guy is good enough to play on Sundays.” Well early in the season, he had gotten injured for the year and kinda became an afterthought until the 2011 season started. Then he really hit it off. Not many people remember that preseason game against the Jets. That game had Rex Ryan amazed at Cruz’s ability.

[@sports3117]

Back when the NFC East was one of the best divisions in the NFL

[@things2593]

Giants good

[@drax2000]

Yeah lol

[@erinniesen1364]

@Charles Hunt Because the third best team in that division was better than the division winner this year

[@LukeR.5117]

Giants won the Super Bowl but the division in 2011 was most certainly not that good.

[@assassin923ck45]

@Charles Hunt this was back around a time when we regularly had two teams in the division make the playoffs, and the giants or the Cowboys had 10+ win seasons every other year Kinda. Long story short, there weren’t 6-10 division winners😂

[@lerrato6027]

Giants went on to win the Super Bowl that year... That really shows how important this game was

[@diablo55]

yeah the Packers probably would’ve repeated as champs or the Patriots or 49ers may have also won without the Giants in the playoffs

[@philiptucker7590]

Oh and how refreshing it was to see Eli crush the packers and Brady to win another ring 😂 Packers fans thought they were winning the Super Bowl….they as bad as Dallas Cowboys fans every post season and always choke 😂 😭

[@carloscolon3331]

@@philiptucker7590 😄😄😄

[@GRIMLOCK07]

@@diablo55 Let's not forget to add New Orleans to that possibility. After all, they did have the #1 Offense that year.

[@lawrencegooden8359]

ahh the good ole days. Giants were winning & JPP had 10 fingers!

[@brucelau2023]

NFL Throwback man back when the NFC east wasn’t a laughingstock , the giants man this was one of the surprise 9-7 teams , playoff Eli Manning came through for them in the clutch time and time again

[@things2593]

Giants good

[@brucelau2023]

@@things2593 I mean offensively they weren’t as great , their defense was good enough to even make a surprise super bowl run

[@things2593]

@@brucelau2023 Giants hopefully going to get better soon, Daniel Jones is at least better than Haskins lmfao

[@ApolloTheLeader]

Nfc east been a laughing stock all of 1 season n everyone acts like its been q regular thing

[@things2593]

@@ApolloTheLeader Giants and Washington might carry the NFC East going forward tbh

[@DepressedSteelersFan]

Can’t believe how romo will now be calling these games!

[@williamclapp3074]

You could right a movie script about the 2011 Giants

[@things2593]

Giants good

[@kenbaxter7515]

Honestly that whole season was crazy, every game came down to the last play honestly the best team season I’ve ever seen every game was so dramatic and amazing

[@things2593]

@@kenbaxter7515 Eli Manning is above average QB, people who say otherwise are overreacting

[@derpmcgerp8062]

Yeah that season was even crazier than just the Super Bowl run. The Giants beat the Patriots in the regular season, Eli Manning got into a shootout with Aaron Rodgers and the then-undefeated Packers and only lost by 3 points (final score 35-38), and Eli Manning that year set a record for 4th quarter touchdowns in a season, plus the majority of his wins that season were 4th quarter comebacks. (I'm not sure which, but I know Matthew Stafford broke one of his records in 2016, but still) Also Eli broke Phil Simms record for consecutive completions in a Super Bowl. Crazy

[@TheJohnold]

You could wrong one just as easy.

[@NotoriousIAm]

Hakeem Nicks doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his play during that run.

[@novanebula8004]

Indeed he doesn't

[@utho8080]

Literally the best receiving performance in a playoff run aside from Fitz in ‘08

[@zeeski7454]

Agreed

[@YoBankaccountformyparlay]

During that time he got his credit along with cruz many analyst and fans belived they were both top 10 receivers at the time

[@iamhungey12345]

Weren't for the injuries he would have been a star. I felt he had potential to surpass Cruz career wise.

[@judedouardchenet]

Eli is top 5 QB when it comes to meaningful games. His accuracy and play is top notched.

[@tomknapp6194]

Top notch? Do you think that Marc Bulger, Jay Cutler, Rich Gannon, Ryan Tannehill, Daunte Culpepper, Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford or Case Keenum were good QBs? Seriously, this is a list of mediocrity at best. But, when it comes to completion percentage, yards/attempt, TD %, and passer rating, Eli is better than......... None of them. Not a single one. These are the stats that define a QBs career and Eli was lower than average (at best) QBs. Eli had some high profile wins (SBs he was carried by the defense) and no one really paid attention the many more times when he blew the game. Seriously, He was not that.

[@danielrooney2987]

@@tomknapp6194 eli also played more games than all those people

[@tomknapp6194]

@@danielrooney2987 Eli played more games than them, but he wasn't better than them.

[@oceanthresher6184]

So the Giants basically won five straight elimination games in 2011.

[@GiantsFan1734]

I believe it was 6 actually, I think we had to beat the Jets too

[@anthonyhutchins2300]

The Patriots weren't undefeated in 2011... They were 13-3

[@zachEastwood]

@@anthonyhutchins2300 read it again...

[@ghosttoast8610]

@@anthonyhutchins2300 open your eyes

[@totoroid]

They went from 6-2 to 7-7 smh

[@gregjgarcia]

Death, taxes, and Rob Ryan looking angry and flustered on the sideline as his D gets shredded.

[@dbrown8553]

So funny...so true

[@willengel2458]

the ryan brothers supposed to learn their stuff from their old man.

[@scruffd0g193]

2011 was truly a special year for the Giants. Eli with Cruz, Hicks and Bradshaw on offense, that great Pass Rush on defense with Tuck, Osi, and JPP.

[@is8807]

5:12 The ball represents the giants season in a nut shell. It was all Jumbled around until it was saved by Eli Manning

[@jf1bears4ever18]

Romo and Dez Bryant back in the good ol' days.

[@jay.b.26]

Dez is now with us

[@andrewlarson7]

Yessir Warner, Fitz, and Anquan Boldin

[@jf1bears4ever18]

@@jay.b.26 You guys are playing great with him

[@jf1bears4ever18]

@@andrewlarson7 Yessir.

[@reapertalon9253]

Too bad Jerry Jones screwed them over.

[@MrPhilm00r]

I love watching these throwback games and seeing all the names that I had forgotten about.

[@caglesbagels2171]

Yep. Guys like Bear Pascoe and Hynoski for me lol

[@Wolky324]

The final years of Eli's career make you forget what a clutch guy he was

[@rich4446]

Eli has always been extremely under appreciated

[@Wolky324]

@@rich4446 💯

[@zeeski7454]

When the giants was a decent organization and actually put a good team around him. Some of his numbers in his latter years were actually good, just the team around him was horrible

[@ibaIIhog]

@@rich4446 factssss 😪😪💯💯

[@ibaIIhog]

@@zeeski7454 all good kid , 4 Super Bowls 4 championships (8 total) , we the best team in the east now && Brady know wassup w us

[@sebastianmendez1435]

Romo running for his life after snapping the ball

[@dbrown8553]

He ran to the announcers booth. Being Cowboys QB has it's benefits.

[@davidsantoselmellodelamarg4923]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@robogreek3157]

The difference between he and dak... Romo bad defense. Bad o line. Romo actually played well this game. 29/37. 290 yds. 2 Tds. Int. Passer rating of 106. Can't ask for more in a game with everything riding on it

[@rolodwayne5841]

man cruz this year was something special. the whole giants team was special.

[@jonsnow5513]

Back when the Giants had good WRs and a GREAT QB.

[@NYG5]

Back when Eli was still gunslinger on a team that could block for 2 seconds with some explosive WRs, Giants organization cut his balls off with shit teams after this season and they stopped their option route offense after a few years because dip shits kept running the wrong routes leading to Eli's insane INT numbers the next few years, then they replaced the offense that won 2 super bowls with a piece of shit west coast offense that never scored points in big games.

[@onegiantblock4341]

@@NYG5 f odeller

[@jonsnow5513]

@@onegiantblock4341 Odell helped Eli you banana...

[@jonsnow5513]

@@NYG5 Nothing inherently wrong with the WCO. Shanny & Reid both run variations that are outstanding, but the issue was with management not hitting on draft picks and making dubious personnel decisions...

[@onegiantblock4341]

@@jonsnow5513 bro shut up if you watched the games he would be better off without odell. Look at Baker. He was better *WITHOUT* Odell.

[@Aggrressor92]

Wow Eli having time in the pocket, MetLife cheering out of control.. the good old days!!

[@TheRealSmalls]

Can't spell Elite without Eli. 2X Superbowl MVP

[@rand479m5]

My first (and only to date) NFL game in person.. what a win and what a ride that team went on.

[@carterpaul7748]

16:49 is one of the greatest throws by Eli Manning

[@MrBlue11900]

The Giants use to be fun to watch. A team of hard workers trying to do big things. Miss those days. One day they'll be back

[@chrisozell584]

The years of 8-8 nightmares.

[@Lux210]

Man the cowboys had some shitty offensive lines during Romo in his prime.

[@anthonymarquez4617]

He was always scrambling for his life, poor man should have at least one ring.

[@erocs9747]

Leonard davis was a monster and hotel adams

[@Lux210]

@@erocs9747 I think you mean False start Adams

[@Lux210]

@@anthonymarquez4617 we were a Dez Bryant catch away from it in 2014

[@danielsilecchia1894]

Nah the giants defensive line used to be really good

[@giorgiogazzola5972]

I remember watching this while at a bar in New York. The whole place was going nuts. Even though I'm way more of a Bills fan, I still like the Giants and I had a quite a bit of fun binge drinking during their superbowl run.

[@joshuatapia1578]

any 2021 giants fan that wish they were this good again?

[@retrogamernes3121]

It's kind of funny how the giants are in the same situation this year in a must win game against dallas.. and yes, I know washington needs to lose also...go giants...go eagles..(I can't believe I'm saying THAT)..the eagles had better win

[@justbecause7402]

Manuel Ortiz I'm an Eagles fan but I'd rather have Team or Giants in the playoffs

[@elv1s218]

Bro... dak Prescott have 13 pass td in 5 games this season and Daniel jones 9 pass td in 12 games.

[@Globoychris11]

I miss prime Eli so much, so underrated

[@tomknapp6194]

Eli was literally a below average QB. His passer rating though his 16 years was lower than the NFL average 9 times. And 5 of those other 7 times, it was a mere 3.8 or less higher than the league average, or still just average. In only two years he was somewhat significantly higher than the NFL average. He wasn't that good.

[@omgitzkinguzumaki21]

@@tomknapp6194 😂😂😂

[@BackwardsHat]

@@tomknapp6194 Hall of Famer

[@tomknapp6194]

@@BackwardsHat Based upon what? If you come back with, "He had those 2 passes from 2 drives in 2 of his 246 games!" like every other Eli fan does, you have already lost. Eli was carried to 2 SB MVPs by the defense. His record vs playoff teams that scored 20 or less: 8-0. His record vs playoff teams that scored 21+: 0-4 and three of those were blowouts. He had to rely on 5 pro bowl QBs to have one of their worst games of the year for him to have have narrow last second wins. That is not the mark of a great or even good QB. Eli is literally the beneficiary of headlines to make him sound great. But, when the stats are actually examined, it is all a smokescreen and he wasn't that good. And if you do think that he is still great, how do you explain the fact that his passer rating was below average for over half his career?

[@BackwardsHat]

@@tomknapp6194 Hall of Famer

[@dforreall9902]

Giants D Line completely wrecking the game!!!!! LOVE IT 💙

[@coreylynch5759]

We could see a 6-10 team make the playoffs this week

[@camenaplayzz6814]

We will G men all the way

[@eliraplee4914]

not just that but win their division!!!

[@AJK2100]

First time in history having a losing team make and a double digit losses HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@jamaripino810]

@@eliraplee4914 The NFC East has been eliminated from wild card contention. If you don't win the east you are out.

[@eliraplee4914]

@@jamaripino810 i know that’s what i’m saying we can only win the division like a 6-10 team could win the division

[@chrisbastin1040]

I’m an eagles fan but this was a fun giants team to watch. Especially in the Super Bowl

[@andrewgarland7209]

And then after this, the 2nd best playoff run/cinderella run of all time occured by these giants!

[@tomknapp6194]

Yeah, the defense and special teams really carried the Giants! There was that QB guy, but in 2007 and 2011, the Giants would have been eliminated many times with the guys that don't play as the same time as their QB.

[@leossportscards4494]

As a giants fan, this does bring me joy.

[@badbooking3221]

If the Giants just have a SMALL fraction of this magic on Sunday, they might just be the NFC East champs again!

[@lmvang9226]

Ahhhhhhh look at the defense😭look at the run game and the pass game💔i wish the Giants beat the Cowboys this Sunday but who knows if we can even score

[@Bloozziie]

Lol JPP and Brady are on the same team now lol

[@GiantsFan1734]

This just disturbed me to read

[@jordanboteler8978]

I loved this era of football i would be so excited on Sundays to watch greatness now I get excited but not as excited every Monday morning I would say I can’t wait till next Sunday that show you that football was entertaining back than

[@kevinburke6055]

Cruz was so big that year NBC had Salsa music ready to be played when he scored.

[@86hills59]

I miss the late 2000s to early 2010s giants so much

[@duffman1876]

I swear it's always win or go home for the Cowgirls come this time of the year😂

[@truckpilot01]

I was at this game. Cowboys fans were awfully quiet in the tunnel back to lots🤣

[@hurvyb]

This was the first of the cowboys 3 straight losses in the final game of the season for a winner takes the division situation

[@maoinc13]

Man !!! I love this game ....

[@beatleplayer1011]

Man I remember watching this game - what a great great season. The jets game, This game, Atlanta, Green Bay, San Fran and the pats - I miss Eli

[@djchao3532]

Eli was so raw that year

[@frankguidera6828]

With all his greatness and perfection

[@frankt285]

Gotta love that Salsa dance by Cruz..

[@frankt285]

Beating the Cowgirls... Gotta love it...

[@KingDizzleLTDinc.]

The crazy thing is Jason Garrett could win the NFC East by...you guess it...beating the Cowboys..how about that storyline..can really stick it to Jerry Jones

[@STONEWOODBLOCKBUSTA]

😢😭

[@LukeR.5117]

The earlier match-up (week 14, I think; you posted it already) contained the very pivotal Romo TD misfire to Austin near the end of the game that likely would've sealed a Dallas victory. Within that scenario, the 2011 playoffs would've therefore progressed quite differently. That play is really ingrained in my memory...

[@NFLVault]

That’s another great one! We posted that one too!

[@bigrich6075]

This game is now officially 10 years old now. Unreal.

[@wooh7737]

I remember being a cowboys fan and my friend being a giants fan, this night hurt me deeply

[@ziggytubey]

The NFC East is the most decorated division in all football.

[@sean8074]

When watching giants football was exciting

[@JA-GOTDF]

Yk u grew up with this football when snf week 1 was always giants vs cowboys and ik its week 17

[@darius5514]

I miss watching Victor Cruz play

[@erics2739]

At his best he was wes weon steroids lol

[@GrimProdigyXD]

I'm a Giants fan in 2024 and GOD I miss this Giants team so much..

[@patrickmcclean5748]

Memories 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@SoftDrinksOfChoice]

6:21 that maneuverability in the pocket to buy time by Romo was just a thing of beauty. Very Favre-ish (even thought it turned out to be an illegal forward pass)

[@Soccercrazyigboman]

He had to learn how to do that given the horrible O Lines Jerry gave him

[@BigJuicy42069]

God I miss this team so much

[@UsielWeatherGuy]

This win was the journey of the Giants to another Super Bowl

[@Npp5123]

Back when the giants were a team to be proud of

[@ryanjohnson3234]

Good luck Giants and cowboys for NFC championship

[@frankguidera6828]

Eli makes two throws in this game that a lot of quarterbacks just can't make. The first one is the spin move and heave to Victor Cruz. The second one was the laser he threw with someone draped all over his feet.

[@zachperez8937]

As a Cowboys fan obviously I am happy the Giants won this game and the division that year because they went on to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I don't root for ANY NFC East team other than the Cowboys, unless they are going against the Patriots lol. 2007/2011 Giants, 2017 Eagles were heroes in my household lmao.

[@mjjohnson5904]

THIS WAS COOL..............I THINK I REMEMBER THIS GAME.................

[@jonahklein8582]

Giants gonna do it again!

[@mattcox3373]

Giants gonna take that L

[@derpmcgerp8062]

@@mattcox3373 you have to admit though it would be funny if the Giants beat the Cowboys, the Eagles beat Washington, and the Giants get into the playoffs with a 6-10 record. 😂 Hey, you never know, they did give the Bucs a run for their money early in the season and even beat the Seahawks. Remember losing teams are 2-0 in the Wild Card Round (2010 Seahawks and 2014 Panthers). Lol

[@mattcox3373]

@@derpmcgerp8062 lol it would and with our division I really wouldn’t be surprised. I sure hope not though because I work with 2 annoying af giants fans💀

[@TheReviewingNetwork]

2:31 Who added in the salsa music? XD

[@charlessulse5196]

I was at this game. Absolutely electric atmosphere

[@frankguidera6828]

All beneficiaries of his greatness.

[@deadlyoneable]

I was at this game. Hungover as F. New Year’s Eve was the night before.

[@ericpackers1700]

Your right

[@AgentRuckus]

4:31 "3rd sack" in pretty much 1 quarter. I so miss those days. A pass rush and an O line.

[@frankguidera6828]

He made all three of those guys great.

[@deandrebrown4521]

Eli was on smoke during this run 🔥

[@frankguidera6828]

Elite talent elite quarterback

[@Gunleaver]

2:28 Game over.

[@frankguidera6828]

Victor Cruz was a gold jacket player poor kid North Jersey boy too. What a shame what a talent.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

How many times did Dallas lose a Week 17 division title game on Sunday night football?

[@buccs103rd5]

Man i hope we bring it come sunday

[@germanequihua3358]

Happy New Year 2021

[@saj8]

I wanted to see Skip's reaction to that game.

[@dddd-xg7yo]

Tony Romo could not: - Stay on the field - Put up counting stats - Carry a bad team to the POs - Play well in elimination games He's been eligible for the HOF for 3 years and has yet to make it to the semi-finals. That says it all. Dallas stans. I'll ignore your replies.

[@frankguidera6828]

In my opinion the greatest quarterbacking season of all time

[@michaelortiz3113]

i remember 10 years ago SNF when my giants beat those cowboys out of playoff😊

[@joeysheiner8221]

These Giants were much more dangerous than the 2007 squad. Eli and the offense were much scarier and that defense was still on that ridiculous level

[@GRIMLOCK07]

2011?? Offensively Yes. Heck Yeah. 2007 Defense was better, Waaaay Better.

[@willpage79]

Always a good day wen u beat the cowboys

[@ckendall67]

I wasn't totally certain at 1st that the Giants would go on another Super Bowl run when they won this game vs the Cowboys to clinch the NFC East; in the moment, I was just happy that they'd earned another trip back to the playoffs. But maybe there was a small part of me that said 'Hey, remember 4 years ago? Most of these guys are still here, they've done this before, facing the oddsmakers, so many other top-tier teams ahead of them in the NFC....but this Giants team possibly, quietly, could surprise people in the playoffs just as they did before. Who knows, it could happen....?' And, sure enough............. :-D

[@maryshaw9541]

We are back to the same circumstances this week

[@margaretjiantonio939]

Can you imagine the coach yelling at his grandchildren's father? Talk about keeping it in the family.

[@jiiig8667]

All Time Team. No doubt.

[@Ace0vSpaydeMusic]

We really had something special. 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 #gmen

[@GodsSon987]

Amazing how explosive Cruz was that season

[@kevinburnss]

That shot at 8:41 on the kickoff is a flag today and it makes me wanna cry because I loved the hit

[@frankguidera6828]

Winning just like anything can become addictive

[@EL-ERIC]

As a Cowboys fan this was embarrassing

[@erics2739]

Doug free was overpaid for looking this rough...

[@buster60341]

I agree but both of those losses was the worse loss for the Cowboys in 2011 NFL season and it brings bad memories for me

[@shakiemjeanjoseph428]

Victor Cruz and Akiem Nicks🔥🔥

[@frankguidera6828]

Victor Cruz was a Hall of famer before he got hurt. Another great kid career cut short by injury. I still feel believe he had football left in him.

[@jameslisle7775]

Please upload the 2011 NFC Wild Card Giants vs Falcons.