The 1988 New York Giants season was the franchise's 64th season in the National Football League (NFL). The team would finish with 10–6, but a loss to the New York Jets in the season finale would keep them out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Although the Philadelphia Eagles also finished 10-6, Philadelphia's season sweep of New York gave the Eagles the NFC East title, while the Giants lost the conference tiebreaker to the Los Angeles Rams for the final wild card berth. The season was marked early by the suspension for substance abuse of star linebacker Lawrence Taylor by the NFL for the first four games of the season. Following the end of the season, the Giants would see two longtime defensive stalwarts; defensive end George Martin and future Hall-of-Fame inside linebacker Harry Carson, announce their retirement.
1988 New York Giants staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
- Defensive coordinator – Bill Belichick
- Defensive line – Lamar Leachman
- Defensive backfield – Len Fontes
- Defensive assistant – Mike Sweatman
Special teams coaches
- Special teams – Romeo Crennel
- Assistant special teams – Mike Sweatman
Strength and conditioning
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[2]
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Redskins |
6 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
20 |
• Giants |
0 |
3 | 10 | 14 |
27 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | WSH | Chip Lohmiller 26 yard field goal | Redskins 3–0 |
| 1 | | WSH | Chip Lohmiller 25 yard field goal | Redskins 6–0 |
| 2 | | WSH | Ricky Sanders 29 yard pass from Doug Williams (Chip Lohmiller kick) | Redskins 13–0 |
| 2 | | NYG | Raúl Allegre 23 yard field goal | Redskins 13–3 |
| 3 | | NYG | Joe Morris 9 yard run (Raúl Allegre kick) | Redskins 13–10 |
| 3 | | NYG | Raúl Allegre 32 yard field goal | Tie 13–13 |
| 4 | | NYG | Tom Flynn 27 yard blocked punt return (Raúl Allegre kick) | Giants 20–13 |
| 4 | | NYG | Jim Burt 39 yard fumble return (Raúl Allegre kick) | Giants 27–13 |
| 4 | | WSH | Kelvin Bryant 19 yard pass from Doug Williams (Chip Lohmiller kick) | Giants 27–20 |
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[3]
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Giants |
5 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
12 |
Cowboys |
3 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
10 |
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
• Giants |
0 |
3 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
Lions |
0 |
7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
10 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| Q2 | | DET | Chadwick 15 yard pass from Hilger (Murray kick) | DET 7–0 |
| Q2 | | NYG | McFadden 42 yard field goal | DET 7–3 |
| Q3 | | NYG | Morris 1 yard run (McFadden kick) | NYG 10–7 |
| Q4 | | DET | Murray 37 yard field goal | Tie 10–10 |
| OT | | NYG | McFadden 33 yard field goal | NYG 13–10 |
|
[4]
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Giants |
0 |
7 | 0 | 6 |
13 |
Saints |
3 |
6 | 0 | 3 |
12 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | | NO | Morten Andersen 27 yard field goal | NO 3–0 |
| Q2 | | NO | Morten Andersen 41 yard field goal | NO 6–0 |
| Q2 | | NYG | Stephen Baker 85 yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Paul McFadden kick) | NYG 7–6 |
| Q2 | | NO | Morten Andersen 26 yard field goal | NO 9–7 |
| Q4 | | NYG | Paul McFadden 46 yard field goal | NYG 10–9 |
| Q4 | | NO | Morten Andersen 45 yard field goal | NO 12–10 |
| Q4 | | NYG | Paul McFadden 35 yard field goal | NYG 13–12 |
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[5]