| 1981 New York Giants season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Timothy J. Mara Wellington Mara |
| General manager | George Young |
| Head coach | Ray Perkins |
| Home field | Giants Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–7 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Eagles) 27–21 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at 49ers) 24–38 |
| Pro Bowlers | LB Lawrence Taylor LB Harry Carson |
The 1981 New York Giants season was the franchise's 57th season in the National Football League. The Giants qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 18 years with a 9–7 record,[1] which placed them third in the National Football Conference East Division.[2] The Giants qualified for the postseason thanks to an overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the last game of the season, coupled with a loss by the Green Bay Packers.[3] In the Wild Card playoffs, the Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27–21 in Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. New York's season ended with a 38–24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round.[2] The 49ers would go on to win Super Bowl XVI.[4]
- ^ "New York Giants Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
- ^ a b "1981 New York Giants". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
- ^ Whittingham, Richard (2005). Illustrated History of the New York Giants. Chicago: Triumph Books. pp. 195–196. ISBN 978-1-57243-641-1.
- ^ Massa, Mike (January 10, 2020). "49ers' playoff history as the top seed in the NFC". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 4, 2020.