2008 New York Giants season

Infobox NFL season
team = New York Giants
year = 2008
record = 4-0
division_place = 1st NFC East
coach = Tom Coughlin
stadium = Giants Stadium
playoffs = TBD

The 2008 New York Giants season is the franchise's 84th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Giants attempt to improve upon their 10-6 record from 2007, defend their Super Bowl title, and build upon their NFL-best active road win record of 11 consecutive away game victories.

Offseason

Player and personnel moves

Releases and injuries

On February 29, the first day of free-agency, Giants free agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell left the team to join the Buffalo Bills, safety Gibril Wilson went to the Oakland Raiders, and linebacker Reggie Torbor joined the Miami Dolphins. [ [http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/story?id=09000d5d806f3718 Friday roundup: Active Dolphins sign McCown, Wilford ] ]

On March 14, free agent defensive tackle William Joseph departed to join Wilson with the Raiders. [ [http://bleacherreport.com/articles/13181 New York Giants: Ward Stays, Joseph Goes | Bleacher Report ] ]

On April 10, defensive tackle Manuel Wright was released. [ [http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/transactions?transactionWeek=04%2F13%2F2008&team=NYG New York Giants Transactions ] ]

On June 9, fifteen year veteran, seven-time pro-bowler, Michael Strahan retired and joined the FOX NFL broadcasting team. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3435848 ESPN - Strahan goes out on top after 15-year career - NFL ] ] [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8275168/Michael-Strahan-joins-FOX-NFL-Sunday FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Michael Strahan joins FOX NFL Sunday ] ]

=2008 Draft=

The 2008 NFL Draft was held April 26 to April 27.

Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Redskins
R1=0
R2=7
R3=0
R4=0
RT=7
Home=Giants
H1=10
H2=6
H3=0
H4=0
HT=16"at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey"
* Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: 85°F (Cloudy & Humid)
* Game attendance: 79,742
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers: (NBC): Al Michaels, John Madden, & Andrea Kremer

With their Super Bowl championship title to defend, the Giants began their season in the annual kickoff game against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York got a fast start as Super Bowl XLII MVP QB Eli Manning capped off the game's opening drive with a 1-yard TD run. Later in the quarter, kicker John Carney managed to get a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the G-Men increased their lead with Carney nailing a 25-yard and a 47-yard field goal. Near the end of the half, the Redskins managed to get on the board as QB Jason Campbell completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss. New York's defense stiffened in the second half and allowed them to hold on for the victory.

With the win, not only did the Giants begin their season at 1-0, they also became the 9th-straight defending Super Bowl champion to win their season opener.

Week 2: at St. Louis Rams

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Giants
R1=7
R2=6
R3=7
R4=21
RT=41
Home=Rams
H1=0
H2=6
H3=0
H4=7
HT=13"at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri"
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance: 61,377
* Referee: Bill Leavy
* TV announcers: (FOX): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, & Pam Oliver

Coming off their divisional home win over the Redskins, the Giants flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 2 duel with the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the G-Men drew first blood with QB Eli Manning completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 54-yard field goal. New York came right back with kicker John Carney nailing a 33-yard field goal. St. Louis would answer with Brown kicking a 54-yard field goal, while Carney gave the Giants a 33-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as QB Marc Bulger completed a 45-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt. Afterwards, the Big Blue pulled away with Manning's 18-yard TD pass to RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DE Justin Tuck's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard TD run.

With the win, not only did the Giants improve to 2-0, but they also picked up their 12th consecutive road win.

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Bengals
R1=3
R2=10
R3=0
R4=10
R5=0
RT=23
Home=Giants
H1=0
H2=10
H3=3
H4=10
H5=3
HT=26"at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey"
* Game time: 1:00 PM EST
* Game weather: 76°F (Sunny)
* Game attendance: 79,276
* Referee: Jeff Triplette
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel & Dan Dierdorf

Coming off their road win over the Rams, the Giants went home for a Week 3 interconference duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, the G-Men trailed early as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New York responded with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati replied with RB Chris Perry getting a 25-yard TD run, yet the Giants managed to tie the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal. The Bengals ended the first half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Big Blue responded with Carney's 46-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Giants took the lead with Carney kicking a 26-yard field goal. Cincinnati took the lead again with QB Carson Palmer completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. New York reclaimed the lead with QB Eli Manning completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss, yet the Bengals tied the game with Graham's 21-yard field goal. In overtime, Carney gave the Big Blue a big win with a game-winning 22-yard field goal.

With the win, the Giants entered the bye week at 3-0.

Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Seahawks
R1=3
R2=3
R3=0
R4=0
RT=6
Home=Giants
H1=14
H2=13
H3=10
H4=7
HT=44"at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey"
* Game time: 1:00 PM EST
* Game weather: 60°F (Cloudy)
* Game attendance: 79,529
* Referee: Alberto Riveron
* TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, & Tony Siragusa

Coming off their bye week, the Giants stayed at home for a Week 5 duel with the Seattle Seahawks. The game was notable for the fact that WR Plaxico Burress was suspended for this game, due to a minor internal conflict.

In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood as QB Eli Manning completed a 32-yard TD to WR Domenik Hixon. The Seahawks responded with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 30-yard field goal. Afterwards, New York increased its lead with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 3-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Giants continued its run with kicker John Carney getting a 29-yard field goal, Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run, and Carney kicking a 33-yard field goal. Seattle closed the half with Mare making a 29-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Giants continued their victory march as Manning completed a 23-yard TD pass to WR Sinorice Moss, along with Carney nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York completed its domination as backup QB David Carr completed a 5-yard TD pass to Moss.

The Giants racked up 523 yards in total offense, their most since collecting 524 yards against Green Bay on Jan. 6, 2002, and limited Seattle to 187.

With their 8th-straight win, the Giants acquired their first 4-0 start since the franchise's Super Bowl XXV championship run of 1990.

The 38-point differential win marked New York's largest margin of victory since 1972. The Giants also lead the NFL in point differential with +78 in four games. The second best point differential belongs to the Tennessee Titans, with +59, in "five" games.

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Giants
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
RT=0
Home=Browns
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0
HT=0"at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio"
* Game time: 8:30 PM EDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Michele Tafoya, & Suzy Kolber

tatistics

Through Week 4

Passing

Kicking

Punting

Division standings

References