The Bears–Giants rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants. The rivalry was notable for the six NFL championship games between the two teams before the creation of the Super Bowl, and the two subsequent Super Bowl-era playoff meetings that involved two of the NFL's greatest defensive units: the Bears' 46 defense crew helmed by Buddy Ryan, and the Giants' Big Blue Wrecking Crew mentored by Bill Belichick.[1]
Chicago Bears
New York Giants
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| First meeting | December 6, 1925 Bears 19, Giants 7 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | October 2, 2022 Giants 20, Bears 12 |
| Next meeting | TBD (no later than 2025 regular season) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 63 |
| Largest victory | Bears, 56–7 (1943) |
| Current win streak | Giants, 1 (2022–present) |
| Post–season history | |
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History
editPre-Super Bowl era
editThe Bears and Giants met in six NFL championship games, more than any common matchup in either the NFL Championship or Super Bowl. Between 1933 and 1946, the Bears and/or the Giants appeared in 12 of 14 NFL championship games, and combined to win seven championships in that span. Their first meeting came in the first-ever NFL Championship Game that concluded the 1933 season. In a close-knit affair, the Bears won the game and the championship 23–21 by scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.[2][3][4][5] It was Chicago's second consecutive championship, having previously won in 1932 when the league awarded the title to the team with the best regular season winning percentage. However, the Giants returned the favor in the 1934 NFL Championship Game, winning 30–13 by outscoring the Bears 27–0 in the fourth quarter.[6] The game was forever immortalized as the Sneakers Game, as the Giants switched to basketball sneakers at the half due to the slick frozen conditions that affected the Polo Grounds field.[7]
The Bears and Giants met for a third time in the 1941 NFL Championship Game. This game was notable as it happened two weeks following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; as a result, only 13,341 fans attended the game at Wrigley Field, the lowest of any NFL championship game. The Bears dominated the Giants 37–9 to win their fifth NFL title, thanks to four unanswered touchdowns in the second half.[8][9][10] A fourth meeting took place in the 1946 NFL Championship Game, in which a then-record 58,346 fans witnessed the Bears defeat the Giants 24–14 in New York. The game was tied 14–14 after three quarters before the Bears scored ten unanswered points. The victory was marred, however, by a bribery scandal involving two Giants players.[11][12]
In the 1956 NFL Championship Game, the Giants routed the Bears 47–7 at Yankee Stadium to win the championship. It was the team's last title until Super Bowl XXI in 1986. Similar to the 1934 title game, the Giants wore sneakers in order to gain traction on an icy field. [13][14][15] Seven years later, the Giants and Bears met for a sixth time to decide the 1963 NFL Championship. In a low-scoring affair, the Bears prevailed 14–10 to win their eighth NFL championship, their last until Super Bowl XX in 1985. It was also the final meeting between the Bears and Giants that decided the NFL championship.[16]
Super Bowl era
editThe two teams underwent lengthy rebuilding periods following the 1963 title game, but in the 1980s, the Bears and Giants reemerged into title contention, thanks to two of the greatest defensive units in NFL history. Chicago's 46 defense, coached by Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, featured Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, and defensive ends Richard Dent and Dan Hampton. New York's Big Blue Wrecking Crew, on the other hand, were coached by Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, and featured Hall of Fame linebackers Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Harry Carson. The two teams first squared off in the 1985 NFC Divisional Round, in which Chicago's defensive crew outplayed their Giant counterparts in a 21–0 shutout. The tone of the game was set when a punt attempt by Giants punter Sean Landeta was muffed in the strong winds and Shaun Gayle returned it five yards for a touchdown.[17] The Bears went on to win the Super Bowl that season. A rematch then took place in the 1990 NFC Divisional Round, which also ended in a blowout. This time, however, the Giants dominated Chicago in a 31–3 rout, and went on to win Super Bowl XXV. To date, this was the most recent meeting in the playoffs between the Bears and the Giants.[18]
Recent years
editAfter the 1990 playoff meeting, the rivalry cooled off a bit, though games between the two teams remained highly competitive. However, there were some notable moments that took place since then. During Week 10 of the 2006 season, Bears returner Devin Hester returned a missed field goal a then-record 108 yards for a touchdown, culminating in the Bears' 38–20 victory. The win proved crucial for the Bears as they went on to finish with the NFC's best record at 13–3, en route to a Super Bowl XLI appearance.[19] The Giants, on the other hand, turned a 6–2 start into a 2–6 finish, ending with an 8–8 record and losing in the Wild Card Round to the rival Philadelphia Eagles.[1] Then in Week 4 of the 2010 season, the Giants defense sacked Bears quarterback Jay Cutler nine times in the first half en route to a 17–3 victory, dealing Chicago its first loss of the season.[20][1] In a Week 13 game in 2018, the Bears trailed the Giants 27–17. With 1:15 left in regulation, Bears kicker Cody Parkey kicked a field goal which made it 27–20. The Bears recovered the onside-kick with 1:13 left which was recovered by Daniel Brown. The Bears drove from their own 44 to the Giants' 1 with 3 seconds left. On a last ditch play, quarterback Chase Daniel handed it off to Trey Burton who tossed the ball back to Tarik Cohen and Cohen threw the ball for a touchdown to Anthony Miller with no time on the clock. The extra point by Parkey was good which sent the game to overtime tied at 27. The Giants won the overtime coin toss and received the ball. The Giants drove from their own 25 to the Bears' 23. They got backed to the 26 where they would kick a field goal to take a 30–27 lead with 5:57 left in the game. But the Bears failed to respond after Daniel fumbled 3 times and failed a last ditch pass deep down the field that was broken up to preserve a 30–27 Giants win.
Season-by-season results
edit| Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants season-by-season results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1920s (Giants, 5–3)
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1930s (Bears, 11–6–1)
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1940s (Bears, 6–2)
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1950s (Giants, 1–0–1)
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1960s (Bears, 3–2)
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1970s (Bears, 3–0)
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1980s (Bears, 2–0)
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1990s (Giants, 3–2)
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2000s (Tied, 2–2)
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2010s (Giants, 3–2)
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2020s (Bears, 2–1)
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Summary of results
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Players who played for both teams
edit| Name | Pos. | Years with Bears | Years with Giants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Amukamara | CB | 2017–2019 | 2011–2015 |
| Martellus Bennett | TE | 2013–2015 | 2012 |
| Zack Bowman | CB | 2008–2011, 2012–2013 | 2014 |
| Dave Duerson | S | 1983–1989 | 1990 |
| Mike Glennon | QB | 2017 | 2021 |
| Robbie Gould | K | 2005–2015 | 2016 |
| Brandon Marshall | WR | 2012–2014 | 2017 |
| Brad Maynard | P | 2001–2010 | 1997–2000 |
| Bennie McRae | CB | 1962–1970 | 1971 |
| Alec Ogletree | LB | 2021 | 2018–2019 |
| Antrel Rolle | CB | 2015 | 2010–2014 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c James Kratch (May 16, 2019). "The history of the Giants-Bears rivalry, from the Sneakers Game to Devin Hester". NJ.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Kuechle, Oliver E. (December 18, 1933). "Bears beat Giants in sensational, ripsnorting game, 23 to 21". Milwaukee Journal. p. 6, part 2.
- ^ Kirksey, George (December 17, 1933). "Bears win pro title in thrill-packed game". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. p. 28.
- ^ Smith, Wilfrid (December 18, 1933). "Bears whip Giants, 23-21; world champions". Chicago Tribune. p. 23.
- ^ "Bears win pro grid league title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Chicago Tribune). December 18, 1933. p. 14.
- ^ "Giants stage amazing rally to beat Chicago Bears 30-13". Miami News. Associated Press. December 10, 1934. p. 10.
- ^ Canavan, Tom (January 5, 1986). "Sneakers game is most famous episode in Bears-Giants rivalry". Gainesville Sun. Florida. Associated Press. p. 4F.
- ^ Hoff, Dave (December 22, 1941). "Bears wallop Giants for pro title". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 3B.
- ^ Kuechle, Oliver E. (December 22, 1941). "Bears swamp Giants, 37 to 9, in pro play-off before 13,341". Milwaukee Journal. p. 4, part 2.
- ^ "Riotous Bears roar as champions of football world". Pittsburgh Press. (photo). December 22, 1941. p. 29.
- ^ Kuechle, Oliver E. (December 16, 1946). "Bears defeat Giants, 24 to 14; attempted bribery uncovered". Milwaukee Journal. p. 4, part 2.
- ^ Prell, Edward (December 16, 1946). "Bears win 7th title, 24-14, before 58,346". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, section 3.
- ^ "Giants stampede Bears, 47-7". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. December 31, 1956. p. 7.
- ^ Sell, Jack (December 31, 1956). "Giants crush Bears in title game, 47-7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 12.
- ^ Mosby, Wade (December 31, 1956). "Giants outclass Bears, 47-7, to win first pro football title in 18 years". Milwaukee Journal. p. 9, part 2.
- ^ Maule, Tex (January 6, 1964). "The Bears upend the Giants". Sports Illustrated. p. 10.
- ^ Litsky, Frank (January 6, 1986). "Bears Pound Giants, 21-0, in Wind and Cold". The New York Times.
- ^ Litsky, Frank (January 14, 1991). "Back to San Francisco: Giants Bury the Bears, 31–3". The New York Times.
- ^ Farmer, Sam (November 13, 2006). "Bears Blow by Giants, 38–20, after early deficit". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Vacchiano, Ralph (October 4, 2010). "New York Giants sack Jay Cutler nine times, record 10 total in 17-3 win over Chicago Bears". New York Daily News.
External links
edit- The BEST Moments from Giants vs. Bears Rivalry History at the New York Giants official YouTube channel