The 1996 New York Giants season was the franchise's 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth and final under head coach Dan Reeves. The team was looking to improve on its 5-11 finish from the year before.
In the 1996 NFL draft, the Giants selected defensive end Cedric Jones with the fifth overall pick. The Giants' first game of the season was at home against the Buffalo Bills, and resulted in a 23âÂÂ20 loss in overtime. After being shut out by the Dallas Cowboys, New York fell to 0âÂÂ3 with a 31âÂÂ10 defeat to the Washington Redskins. Against the New York Jets, the Giants earned their first victory of the season; a 15âÂÂ10 win over the Minnesota Vikings left them with a 2âÂÂ3 record heading into their bye week. The team then lost four of its next six games. After defeating the Cowboys, the Giants' record entering December stood at 5âÂÂ7. They ended the season by losing three of their last four games. With a 6âÂÂ10 record, the Giants finished in last place in the National Football Conference East Division. After the season, the Giants fired Reeves and hired Jim Fassel as his replacement.
Quarterback Dave Brown started all 16 games for the Giants in 1996, throwing for 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. New York's leading running back was Rodney Hampton, who had 254 carries for 827 yards. Wide receivers Chris Calloway and Thomas Lewis led the Giants with four touchdowns and 53 receptions each; Calloway had a team-high 739 receiving yards. Defensively, Chad Bratzke and Michael Strahan had the most sacks among Giants players with five apiece, while Jason Sehorn had five interceptions to lead the team.
Both New York teams were seeking to rebound from 0âÂÂ3 starts to the season. The Jets got on the scoreboard first withàNick Loweryàkicking a 46-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded withàChris Callowayàcatching a 17-yard touchdown pass fromàDave Brown. In the third quarter, the Jets cut the Giants' lead to one point thanks to a 39-yard field goal, once again coming from Lowery. The Giants increased the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to two 20-yard field goals fromàBrad Daluiso, helping them secure their first win of the season by a score of 13âÂÂ6.