The New York Giants finished the 2021 regular season with a record of 4-13 and hardly seemed competitive in most of those games. The 13 losses were also the most in franchise history.
But would it surprise you to know that in addition to their four wins, the Giants also held a lead in seven of the 13 games they lost?
It’s true. Joe Judge’s squad blew seven leads, which was tied for third-most in the league alongside the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
# of games a team lost or tied in 2021 despite holding a lead a some point:
10 – CAR
9
8 – BAL
7 – MIN, DET, NYG, SEA, CHI
6 – IND, CLE, HOU
5 – SF, PHI, MIA, LAC, ATL, WAS
4 – KC, ARI, JAX, DEN, LV, PIT
3 – NO, LAR, NE, NYJ, CIN
2 – GB, TEN
1 – DAL, TB— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 23, 2022
Ironically, one lead that wasn’t blown by the Bears came during their 29-3 dismantling of the Giants in Week 17.
The only two teams who blew more leads than the Giants in 2021 were the Baltimore Ravens, who choked eight times, and the Carolina Panthers, who squandered a remarkable 10 leads throughout the regular season.
Following the season, both general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge were relieved of their duties. Gettleman’s exit was disguised as a quiet retirement.