1981 was a turning point for the New York Football Giants. They had failed to qualify for the playoffs for the past 17 seasons but things were changing.
They were in the third year of the new regime of general manager George Young and head coach Ray Perkins. The first two seasons did not go well, finishing 6-10 in 1979 and 4-12 in 1980.
1981 promised to be different. The Giants were poised to begin competing. Quarterback Phil Simms was expected to take the next steps in his career and the team was high on their defense after adding North Carolina linebacker Lawrence Taylor in the draft.