4. 2011 Week 16: Merry Christmas, Giants fans
Merry Christmas, Giants fans! Merry Christmas forever.
When Rex Ryan was hired as the New York Jets’ head coach in 2009, his first order of business was to take aim at Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants, insisting they would soon take over The Big Apple and emerge from Big Blue’s shadow.
The trash talk between the two sides persisted for two years and even led to some bloody exchanges during their annual preseason meetings, but the Christmas Eve game carried much more weight.
In the days leading up to the Christmas Eve showdown, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis brushed off Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, claiming he didn’t even know his name. Meanwhile, Rex couldn’t stop himself from sounding off.
Early on, the Jets looked like they were getting the better of the Giants, but with 2:12 remaining in the first half and facing a desperate 3rd-and-10 from their own one-yard line, Manning hit Cruz on a 10-yard out.
Cruz juked between two defenders and then took off down the sideline, going 99 yards for the score. The stadium erupted, the Giants bench was on fire and Big Blue never looked back.
After the game, tempers continued to flare as running back Brandon Jacobs and Rex Ryan exchanged some intense words.