NFL team season
The 1966 New York Giants season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL). The season saw the Giants looking to improve on their 7–7 record from 1965. However, they finished in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 1–12–1 record, the worst in franchise history.[2][3] The 12 losses set a single-season team record that was matched four times before being broken in 2017.[4]
The 1966 Giants surrendered the most points in NFL history for a 14-game season.[5][6] They allowed 501 points in 14 games, or an average of 35.8 points per game.[3] This total broke the league record for the most points given up in a season.[7] The next most points allowed by a Giants team was 451 in the 2019 season, which was 16 games.[3] The Giants allowed opponents to score more than 30 points in eight of the 14 games, and gave up over 50 points three times.[2] They are the only team in history to give up 500 points in a 14-game season.[5][6]
On November 27, the Giants played the highest-scoring game in NFL history, losing to the Washington Redskins, 72–41[8] and making them the last team until the 2023 Denver Broncos to surrender at least 70 points in a regular season game.[9] It was the first of three straight games in which the Giants gave up more than 45 points; they allowed 49 points against the Cleveland Browns and 47 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.[2]
Off-season
NFL Draft
Roster
1966 New York Giants roster |
| Quarterbacks - 18 Tom Kennedy
- 11 Earl Morrall
- 19 Gary Wood
Running backs - 23 Ernie Koy Jr.
- 41 Dan Lewis
- 29 Chuck Mercein
- 40 Joe Morrison
Wide receivers - 45 Homer Jones
- 33 Pep Menefee
- 85 Del Shofner
Tight ends - 88 Aaron Thomas
- 81 Freeman White
| | Offensive linemen Defensive linemen | | Linebackers Defensive backs Special teams | | Reserve lists Practice squad
Rookies in italics |
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
1 | September 11 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | T 34–34 | 0–0–1 | Pitt Stadium | 37,693 |
2 | September 18 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 7–52 | 0–1–1 | Cotton Bowl | 60,010 |
3 | September 25 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–35 | 0–2–1 | Franklin Field | 60,177 |
4 | October 2 | Cleveland Browns | L 7–28 | 0–3–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,916 |
5 | October 9 | at St. Louis Cardinals | L 19–24 | 0–4–1 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 43,893 |
6 | October 16 | Washington Redskins | W 13–10 | 1–4–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,865 |
7 | October 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 3–31 | 1–5–1 | Yankee Stadium | 63,018 |
8 | Bye |
9 | November 6 | St. Louis Cardinals | L 17–20 | 1–6–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,967 |
10 | November 13 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 14–55 | 1–7–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 34,746 |
11 | November 20 | Atlanta Falcons | L 16–27 | 1–8–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,746 |
12 | November 27 | at Washington Redskins | L 41–72 | 1–9–1 | D.C. Stadium | 50,439 |
13 | December 4 | at Cleveland Browns | L 40–49 | 1–10–1 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 61,651 |
14 | December 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 28–47 | 1–11–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,658 |
15 | December 18 | Dallas Cowboys | L 7–17 | 1–12–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,735 |
[2]
Game summaries
Week 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week One: New York Giants (0–0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (0–0)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 34 |
Steelers | 7 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 34 |
at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh
- Date: September 11
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter - New York – Bobby Crespino 19-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Gogolak kick), Giants 14–7.
- Pittsburgh – Willie Asbury 6-yard run (Clark kick), 14–14.
- New York – Pete Gogolak 26-yard field goal, Giants 17–14.
Third Quarter - Pittsburgh – Simmons 21-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Clark kick), Steelers 21–17
- Pittsburgh – Mike Clark 25-yard field goal, Steelers 24–17.
- Pittsburgh – John Hilton 31-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Clark kick), Steelers 31–17.
Fourth Quarter - New York – Pete Gogolak 14-yard field goal, Steelers 31–20.
- New York – Homer Jones 98-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Gogolak kick) Steelers 31–27.
- New York – Wendall Harris 72-yard fumble return (Gogolak kick), Giants 34–31.
- Pittsburgh – Mike Clark 41-yard field goal, 34–34.
| Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers - Giants – Homer Jones: 2 rec, 173 yds. 2 TD
- Steelers – Gary Ballman: 5 rec, 114 yds. 1 TD
| |
Week 2 at Dallas Cowboys
Week Two: New York Giants (0–0–1) at Dallas Cowboys (0–0)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Cowboys | 7 | 24 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
at Cotton Bowl, Dallas
- Date: September 18
- Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter - New York – Homer Jones 20-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Gogolak kick) 7–7.
- Dallas – Bob Hayes 74-yard pass from Don Meredith (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 14–7.
- Dallas – Danny Villanueva 12-yard field goal, Cowboys 17–7.
- Dallas – Dan Reeves 2-yard pass from Don Meredith (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 24–7.
- Dallas – Dan Reeves 1-yard pass from Don Meredith (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 31–7.
Third Quarter - Dallas – Bob Hayes 39-yard pass from Don Meredith (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 38–7.
- Dallas – Dan Reeves 19-yard pass from Don Meredith (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 45–7.
Fourth Quarter - Dallas – Cornell Green 41-yard interception return (Villanueva kick), Cowboys 52–7
| Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers - Giants – Homer Jones: 4 rec, 46 yds. 1 TD
- Cowboys – Bob Hayes: 6 rec, 195 yds. 2 TD
| |
Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Three: New York Giants (0–1–1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1–1)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Eagles | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
at Franklin Field, Philadelphia
- Date: September 25
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter - Philadelphia – Timmy Brown 1-yard rush (Baker kick), Eagles 7–0.
Second Quarter Third Quarter - New York– Homer Jones 34-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Gogolak kick), Eagles 21–10.
- Philadelphia – Earl Gros 30-yard pass from Norm Snead (Baker kick), Eagles 28–10.
Fourth Quarter | Top Passers Top rushers - Giants – Chuck Mercein: 18 car, 82 yds
- Eagles – Timmy Brown: 16 car, 40 yds, 1 TD
Top receivers - Giants – Homer Jones: 5 rec, 95 yds. 1 TD
- Eagles – Pete Retzlaff: 5 rec, 120 yds. 1 TD
| |
Week 4 vs Cleveland Browns
Week Four: New York Giants (0–2–1) vs Cleveland Browns (1–2)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Giants | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: October 2
- Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter - Cleveland – Milt Morin 20-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick), Browns 7–0.
Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers - Browns – Frank Ryan: 14/24, 171 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Giants – Earl Morrall: 10/23, 177 yds, 3 INT
Top rushers - Browns – Leroy Kelly: 20 car, 138 yds. 1 TD
- Giants – Dan Lewis: 9 car, 24 yds,
Top receivers - Browns – Gary Collins: 4 rec, 88 yds.
- Giants – Homer Jones: 4 rec, 88 yds. 1 TD
| |
Week 5 at St. Louis Cardinals
Week Five: New York Giants (0–3–1) at St. Louis Cardinals (4–0)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 10 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 24 |
at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis
- Date: October 9
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers - Giants – Aaron Thomas: 8 rec, 86 yds.
- Cardinals – Jackie Smith: 3 rec, 49 yds.
| |
Week 6 vs Washington Redskins
Week Six: New York Giants (0–4–1) vs Washington Redskins (3–2)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Redskins | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Giants | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York
- Date: October 16
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers - Redskins – Bobby Mitchell: 2 rec, 58 yds. 1 TD
- Giants – Homer Jones: 4 rec, 146 yds.
| |
Week 7 vs Philadelphia Eagles
Week Seven: New York Giants (1–4–1) vs Philadelphia Eagles (3–3)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles | 0 | 24 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
Giants | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: October 23
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter - Philadelphia – Pete Retzlaff 30-yard pass from Norm Snead (Baker kick), Eagles 7–3.
- Philadelphia – Sam Baker 15-yard field goal, Eagles 10–3.
- Philadelphia – Earl Gros 2-yard rush (Baker kick), Eagles 17–3.
- Philadelphia – Timmy Brown 18-yard pass from Norm Snead (Baker kick), Eagles 24–3.
Third Quarter Fourth Quarter - Philadelphia – Earl Gros 1-yard rush (Baker kick), Eagles 31–3.
| Top Passers Top rushers - Eagles – Timmy Brown: 21 car, 100 yds
- Giants – Chuck Mercein: 9 car, 27 yds
Top receivers - Eagles – Timmy Brown: 5 rec, 66 yds. 1 TD
- Giants – Homer Jones: 4 rec, 66 yds
| |
Week 9 vs St. Louis Cardinals
Week Nine: New York Giants (1–5–1) at St. Louis Cardinals (6–1–1)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
Giants | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: November 6
- Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 10 at Los Angeles Rams
Week Ten: New York Giants (1–6–1) at Los Angeles Rams (4–5)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Rams | 14 | 10 | 10 | 21 | 55 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
- Date: November 13
- Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers - Giants – Tom Kennedy: 8/18, 126 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
- Rams – Roman Gabriel: 24/35, 298 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 11 vs Atlanta Falcons
Week Eleven: New York Giants (1–7–1) vs Atlanta Falcons (0–9)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
Giants | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: November 20
- Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter - Atlanta – Ernie Wheelwright 9-yard pass from Randy Johnson (Kirouac kick), Falcons 7–0.
Second Quarter - New York – Pete Gogolak 24-yard field goal, Falcons 7–3.
- Atlanta – Vern Burke 8-yard pass from Randy Johnson, Falcons 13–3.
Third Quarter - Atlanta – Ernie Wheelwright 6-yard pass from Randy Johnson (Kirouac kick), Falcons 20–3.
- New York – Joe Morrison 25-yard pass from Tom Kennedy (Gogolak kick), Falcons 20–10.
Fourth Quarter - Atlanta – Randy Johnson 3-yard rush (Kirouac kick), Falcons 27–10.
- New York – Joe Morrison 12-yard rush, Falcons 27–16.
| Top Passers - Falcons – Randy Johnson 15/25, 177 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Giants – Tom Kennedy: 18/33, 188 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - Falcons – Ernie Wheelwright: 5 rec, 35 yds 2 TD
- Giants – Aaron Thomas: 5 rec, 83 yds
| |
Week 12 at Washington Redskins
Week Twelve: New York Giants (1–8–1) at Washington Redskins (5–6)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 41 |
Redskins | 13 | 21 | 14 | 24 | 72 |
at D.C. Stadium, Washington D.C.
- Date: November 27
- Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter - Washington – Rickie Harris 52-yard punt return (Gogolak kick) , Redskins 55–28.
- Washington – Brig Owens 60-yard interception return (Gogolak kick), Redskins 62–28.
- New York – Aaron Thomas 18-yard pass from Tom Kennedy, Redskins 62–34.
- New York – Dan Lewis 1-yard rush (Gogolak kick), Redskins 62–41.
- Washington – Bobby Mitchell 45-yard rush (Gogolak kick), Redskins 69–41.
- Washington – Charlie Gogolak 29-yard field goal, Redskins 72–41.
| Top Passers - Giants – Tom Kennedy: 13/21, 165 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
- Redskins – Sonny Jurgensen: 10/16, 145 yds, 3 TD
Top rushers Top receivers - Giants – Homer Jones: 6 rec, 85 yds.1TD
- Redskins – Charley Taylor: 6 rec, 124 yds. 2 TD
| |
This is the only game in NFL history with the final score of 72–41.[10]
Week 13 at Cleveland Browns
Week Thirteen: New York Giants (1–9–1) at Cleveland Browns (7–4)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 14 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 40 |
Browns | 7 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 49 |
at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland
- Date: December 4
- Game weather: 18 °F (−8 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter - New York – Clarence Childs 90-yard kickoff return (Gogolak kick), Giants 7–0.
- New York – Gary Wood 5-yard rush (Gogolak kick), Giants 14–0.
- Cleveland – Leroy Kelly 1-yard rush (Groza kick), Giants 14–7.
Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter - New York – Pete Gogolak 16-yard field goal, Giants 40–28.
- Cleveland – Ralph Smith 19-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick), Giants 40–35.
- Cleveland – Ernie Green 31-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick), Browns 42–40.
- Cleveland – Bill Glass 13-yard fumble return (Groza kick), Browns 49–40.
| Top Passers - Giants – Gary Wood: 9/18, 120 yds, 1 TD
- Browns – Frank Ryan: 16/27, 326 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - Giants – Joe Morrison: 5 rec, 75 yds. 1 TD
- Browns – Gary Collins: 5 rec, 120 yds. 1 TD
| |
Week 14 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Fourteen: New York Giants (1–10–1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (3–8–1)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers | 5 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 47 |
Giants | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: December 11
- Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter - Pittsburgh – Safety, Spider Lockhart stepped out of endzone, Steelers 2–0.
- Pittsburgh – Mike Clark 12-yard field goal, Steelers 5–0.
Second Quarter - Pittsburgh – Amos Bullocks 13-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Clark kick), Steelers 12–0.
- New York – Aaron Thomas 1-yard pass from Tom Kennedy (Gogolak kick), Steelers 12–7.
- Pittsburgh – Dick Leftridge 2-yard run (Clark kick), Steelers 19–7.
- New York – Homer Jones 82-yard pass from Tom Kennedy (Gogolak kick), Steelers 19–14.
Third Quarter - Pittsburgh – Willie Asbury 1-yard run (Clark kick), Steelers 26–14.
- Pittsburgh – Willie Asbury 1-yard run (Clark kick), Steelers 33–14.
- New York – Aaron Thomas 5-yard pass from Tom Kennedy (Gogolak kick), Steelers 33–21.
- Pittsburgh – Cannonball Butler 66-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Clark kick), Steelers 40–21.
Fourth Quarter | Top Passers - Steelers – Bill Nelsen: 17/31, 322 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Giants– Tom Kennedy: 14/24, 229 yds, 4 TD
Top rushers Top receivers - Steelers – Cannonball Butler: 2 rec, 80 yds. 1 TD
- Giants – Homer Jones: 3 rec, 111 yds. 1 TD
| |
Week 15 vs Dallas Cowboys
Week Fifteen: New York Giants (1–11–1) vs Dallas Cowboys (9–3–1)
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cowboys | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York City
- Date: December 18
- Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
- Box Score
Game information |
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter | Top Passers Top rushers Top receivers | |
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Statistics
Team leaders
Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.[11]
League rankings
Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 15) |
Passing offense | 2,475 | 176.8 | 9th |
Rushing offense | 1,457 | 104.1 | 12th |
Total offense | 3,932 | 280.8 | 9th |
Passing defense | 2,892 | 206.6 | 14th |
Rushing defense | 2,053 | 146.6 | 14th |
Total defense | 4,945 | 353.2 | 14th |
See also
References
- ^ Jaker, Bill; Sulek, Frank; Kanze, Peter (1998). The Airwaves of New York: Illustrated Histories of 156 AM Stations in the Metropolitan Area, 1921–1996. McFarland & Company. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-7864-3872-3.
- ^ a b c d "1966 New York Giants". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
- ^ a b c "New York Giants Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
- ^ Henry, Tyler (December 24, 2017). "Giants set unwanted franchise record with 13th loss". USA Today. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Team Game Finder Query Results: In a single season, from 1960 to 1977, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Allowed". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ a b Pasquarelli, Len (May 18, 2009). "Schedule expansion gaining momentum". ESPN. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ Whittingham, Richard (2005). Illustrated History of the New York Giants. Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books. p. 143. ISBN 1-57243-641-7.
- ^ "Redskins Set Mark In 72–41 Win Over Giants". Park City Daily News. Associated Press. November 28, 1966. p. 9. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ De la Fuente, Homero; Almasy, Steve (September 24, 2023). "Miami Dolphins score 70 points and take a knee rather than take a shot at NFL scoring mark". CNN. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "All Games in Pro Football History with a 72 to 41 score". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
New York Giants |
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- Founded in 1925
- Based and headquartered in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–1969) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–1969) or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance |