The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
Super Bowl XXI was the greatest game played in the classic blue jerseys from the 1980s-90s
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Although Super Bowl XXI was probably a better performance and a more significant victory for the franchise (it was the Giants' first Super Bowl-era championship), the victory in Super Bowl XXV was the greater accomplishment. The 1990 Bills were a better team than the 1986 Broncos and the game was much more dramatic with a memorable ending. So that victory rates above Super Bowl XXI in terms of greatness.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Not only did Phil Simms have one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history (88 percent completion percentage, a Super Bowl record that still stands), but the Giants won their first NFL championship since 1956 after many tough years for fans. The uniforms wouldn't be immortalized without titles.
Lance Medow: Fiction – It's hard to pick a game other than a Super Bowl given that's the NFL's biggest stage, so if we're going to top Super Bowl XXI the only other choice is Super Bowl XXV, which belongs ahead of the pack. It was a far more competitive contest than the former and the Giants' defense slowed down one of the most prolific offenses in the league at that time in the Buffalo Bills, who were averaging nearly 27 points per game and lit up the Raiders for 51 in the AFC Championship Game. In addition to the defensive effort, the Giants turned to backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler late in the year to help orchestrate a championship run – and it all came down to the last few seconds when Bills kicker Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. This game showcased much more drama than the Giants' matchup against the Broncos four years prior.
You're more excited about the return of the navy helmet than the blue jersey
John Schmeelk: Fact – You've got to be a sucker for the darker blue and love any Giants gear that features navy as its primary color. The helmet color is fantastic and the "GIANTS" logo across the helmet is the to remember growing up. Throw in the white face mask, which stands out much more than the standard gray, and the helmet becomes the standout feature of the legacy uniform.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Although the new "two-helmet rule" opens up a lot of possibilities across all clubs, the jersey is still front and center. The white Color Rush jerseys were a hit, but this team is Big Blue.
Lance Medow: Fiction – I'm more excited about the start of the season.
Once again, the New York Giants are bringing back their classic blue uniforms from the '80s and '90s this Sunday as part of two Legacy Games presented by Quest.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Nick Williams (93)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Tanner Hudson (88)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tae Crowder (48), Dane Belton (24)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tae Crowder (48)
Tae Crowder (48)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Micah McFadden (41)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78), LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Leonard Williams will look the best on game day in the classic uniform
John Schmeelk: Fiction – When you see these classic uniforms, you must think of outside linebackers like Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks, so let's go with Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Dan Salomone: Fact – From the hair to the No. 99, there's a reason why he was one of the featured players in the photo shoots. You also won't want to miss seeing safety Xavier McKinney making plays out there in that uniform with Wink Martindale calling the defense. Next step is seeing it all in action this Fall.
Lance Medow: Fiction – The Giants' classic uniforms are most synonymous with Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor as those two players in particular represented each side of the ball during the 1980s and 90s. Using that as a means of a comparison, let's go with Daniel Jones and Kayvon Thibodeaux as they're now assuming those two positions and both players' production this season will tell an awful lot about the team's outlook.
The first Legacy Game in Week 4 is now the top home game to attend
John Schmeelk: Fiction – The new uniforms are cool, but the Bears could be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. Give me a game against a division opponent or a top team like the Ravens any day of the week. You also can't beat the home opener against the Panthers in Week 2.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Not to be lost in the uniform hoopla, the Giants are retrofitting MetLife Stadium to the 80s-90s style for the two Legacy Games. Week 4 will be the first time fans will get a look at, among other things, the end zones designed like the ones from Super Bowl XXI.
Lance Medow: Fact – Although you can make a case for several other contests, the fact that this will be the first of two games in which the Giants will showcase their classic uniforms and a fresh look in the end zones adds a bit more appeal from the fan's perspective. It's also an early October game, so the weather should cooperate and the Bears were the team the Giants traded with to move up in the 2021 draft to select quarterback Justin Fields. It's also the fifth straight season these teams are meeting.
Check out the evolution of the New York Giants' uniforms through the years.
1927 New York Giants team photo (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
New York Giants' center Mel Hein is seen Oct. 11, 1945, in New York. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
RB Ward Cuff is shown in this 1945 photo. (AP Photo)
Kyle Rote, halfback for the New York Giants Oct. 24, 1951 at the Polo Grounds in New York. (AP Photo)
Arnie Weinmeister, New York Giant tackle, during workout at the Polo Grounds in New York City in 1952. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
This Dec. 11, 1956 file photo shows Andy Robustelli (81), an end for the New York Giants. (AP Photo/File)
Frank Gifford heads upfield during an NFL game on Nov. 3, 1957 (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford, shown at a workout on Sept. 9, 1958 in New York. (AP Photo/Rooney)
Photo shows Dick Nolan, half back for the New York Giants on Sept. 17, 1960. (AP Photo/John Rooney)
Y.A. Tittle after leading Giants to stunning 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 12, 1961. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
In this Sept. 3, 1963, file photo, New York Giants running back Alex Webster poses at the team's NFL training camp in Fairfield, Conn. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants QB Fran Tarkenton, Nov. 5, 1967 (AP Photo.Robert Walsh, File)
Fran Tarkenton, quarterback, New York Giants, (10) flanked by left Joe Morrison, and Joe Koontz (47) right, in 1968. (AP Photo)
Linebacker Pat Hughes watches play in 1972. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carl "Spider" Lockhart poses for a photo during training camp in Fairfield, Ct., 1974. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
RB Doug Kotar and Joe Dawkins clutch hands during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 23, 1975. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) during a 24 to 10 Giants win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 26, 1976 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Hall of Fame RB Larry Csonka watches from the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 26, 1976. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
QB Phil Simms throws a pass during the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson (53) looks on during the NFL football game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 22, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 27-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms is seen in action, 1984. (AP Photo)
Lawrence Taylor is congregated by Mark Collins and Carl Banks after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) catches a pregame pass during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 35-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Mark Collins watches pre-game warm-ups before the 1986 NFC Championship NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Jan. 11, 1987. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Phil Simms vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park Monday, November 27, 1989. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) on Monday, December 3, 1990. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Jessie Armstead (98) during a game from his 1993 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Rodney Hampton during a game from his 1995 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
Phillippi Sparkes holds his second interception of the night with teammates Tito Wooten (29) and Corey Widmer (90) during overtime against the Washington Redskins, Nov. 23, 1997. (AP/Doug Mills)
Keith Hamilton against the Oakland Raiders on September 13, 1998 in Oakland. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Amani Toomer celebrates after catching a 17 yard touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 5, 2000 (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cedrick Jones (94) and Thabiti Davis (82) celebrate their 17-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000. With the win the Giants are NFC East champions. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Kerry Collins sets to pass against the St. Louis Rams during their football game in St. Louis Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tiki Barber breaks through the Oakland Raiders' defense on his way to 95-yard rushing touchdown in the first half of NFL football on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Michael Strahan celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 at Giants Stadium (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Lawrence Tynes celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) celebrates after his 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl XLII football game against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) looks on before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
The Giants introduce their alternative uniforms with white pants vs. the Raiders November 10th, 2013
David Diehl (66) blocks during a week 10 football game against the Oakland Raiders on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Sterling Shepard (87) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Saquon Barkley scores a 1st quarter touchdown during a week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Saquon Barkley hurdles Philadelphia Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence react during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Darius Slayton
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Graham Gano (9)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
