Bill Belichick’s Best Game Ever Was With The Giants

Bill Belichick is partially responsible for four of my greatest New York Giants memories. Each of them include a Super Bowl victory. One of which, was what I believe was his single best coaching game ever, but we'll get to that in a minute.

Belichick's formative years were spent with the Giants as an assistant coach from 1979 - 1990. He was Bill Parcells' defensive guy. When Belichick was fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Parcells snagged him back to be an assistant with the Patriots. After that, he returned to New York to coach the defense with the Jets.

Let's go back in time a bit here. Belichick started with the Giants in 1979 as a special teams coach and defensive assistant. He then transitioned to linebackers coach from 1980-1984, during which time, the GMen won two Super Bowls. Then, he took over as defensive coordinator for the Giants from 1985-1990. He was the mastermind behind the 1986 defensive scheme that was instrumental in the Giants beating the John Elway Broncos for their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Four years later, they would do it again in Tampa, beating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

Here is a fascinating snapshot of Bill Belichick. He coached the best player in all three phases of the game. On offensive, he was the GOAT's coach in quarterback, Tom Brady. He was the only head coach for arguably the greatest special teams player with Matthew Slater. Then, there's LT. #56 is not only a Giants legend, he is the most dominant defensive player football has seen. "I saw that guy every day for over a decade and he tilted the field for a decade," Belichick told CBS Sports earlier this year, explaining how Taylor is in a class of his own.

With today's news of Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots, you can't help but reflect upon his six rings with the Pats. The first three wins were each by three points (Rams, Panthers, Eagles). The win over the Seattle Seahawks was absolutely thrilling, and the 28-3 game over the Atlanta Falcons speaks for itself. Lastly, LIII was dominant over a young Los Angeles Rams team. Yet, with all that (and an 18-0 regular season mixed in) Belichick's best single-game coaching performance may have come when he was with the Giants. Here's why.

We know Belichick was a master at adjustments. It's like when Rocky came out fighting Apollo right-handed in Rocky II. The game plans were often unexpected, and very tactful. In Super Bowl XXV vs. the high-powered Buffalo Bills, the defensive game plan was also quietly genius.

The high-flying Bills were a scoring machine. This was led by the passing attack of quarterback Jim Kelly, often targeting all-pro receiver Andre Reed. Belichick installed a defensive plan that consisted of two down linemen and a nickel defense package. What this means is, there are additional players playing pass defense from the secondary positions. This is very unconventional with the two d-lineman. However, it was built to be durable and resilient, and it worked.

The Giants under this plan, went the distance with the Bills and ultimately out-lasted them, winning 20-19. Belichick's defense offered the Bills the opportunity to run the ball with Thurman Thomas (which they did), but said, "You will not beat us throwing the ball." They knew this plan was built to wear down the Bills. In the end, it gave the Giants team just what they needed. Ultimately, Parcells would get carried off the field by Taylor, and the underdog Giants won the game 20-19.

Speaking of underdog, the other two memories of the four I mentioned Belichick was a part of, was Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, when the (David) Giants beat the (Goliath) Patriots in both games, to hoist the Lombardi trophy.

As we sit today, the New York Giants have a massive opening with their defensive coordinator position available. Technically, Bill Belichick is a free agent. It's a far longshot, but Belichick has fond memories in the Giants organization, where he saw great success.

Well, this has certainly been a nightmare season for the New York Giants so far. The harsh reality is that Daniel Jones is out for a full year with a very unfortunate knee injury. Now, we are left with pondering what the possible quarterback scenarios for the Giants could be in 2024.

2023 was expected to be a year of growth, with a playoff push seeming like a very reasonable goal. We had a revigorated Saquon Barkley, the reigning coach of the year Brian Daboll, and a now $40-million-a-year franchise guy in Daniel Jones.

To put the first half of this season in perspective, after nine games so far, the stars of the team Barkley and Jones, only played two games together. The team has been crushed with injuries. This includes the best offensive lineman on Big Blue, Andrew Thomas. Big number 78 has barely played.

It's unbelievable the difference ten weeks makes. In late August, there were NFL analysts who suggested the GMEN could challenge the Philadelphia Eagles for the top spot in the NFC East. Now, we are wondering who the quarterback will be moving forward.

Right now, we are dealing with an open wound. We are a few emotional days removed from the news that Daniel Jones tore his ACL in Las Vegas vs. the Raiders. Furthermore, the poor guy was just returning from a neck injury. However, there are serious questions as to whether or not Jones will ever wear #8 for the Giants again.

This upcoming NFL draft features one of the best quarterback classes of the past ten years. In addition, these players each have unique skill sets that differentiate themselves from their competitors. The NFL is a QB-driven league. In fact, without a solid, healthy quarterback on your roster, your chances are limited.

The only week on the upcoming schedule that looks favorable is the bye week. Two games still remain vs. the NFC champion Eagles as do road games vs. the Cowboys, the Commanders, and the Saints.

Still, there are three general scenarios the Giants could be faced with at quarterback for 2024. One of them includes Jones, one of them does not, and the third is somewhere in between. So, in no particular order, here are the three possibilities.

The front office has believed in Jones since they drafted him sixth overall in the 2019 draft. Just eight months ago, the Giants rewarded Jones with a four-year $160 million contract. That means three years are remaining. Yes, that is a big commitment to still have on your hands, but the the fact is, that is more of a short-term running back contract as opposed to a franchise quarterback. However, has Jones really had a fair chance yet? It's a question worth considering, given that Jones has yet to play with an offensive line where he doesn't have to run for his life. The Giants can very well want to give Jones another shot (with solid weapons around him). Jones will be 27-years-old in May.

On ESPN's Get Up this week, many NFL analysts suggested this could be the last season Justin Fields is the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. Fields is still on his rookie contract. Can the Giants afford both Jones and Fields? No, probably not long-term. For one year, they might be able to get creative, however. Fields could challenge Jones (once he returns) to see who is really the guy under center for Big Blue. Where this really gets interesting is that the Bears and Giants may own three of the top five picks of the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears own the Carolina Panthers' pick from the 2023 draft trade. The Bears are 3-7 and the Panthers are 1-8. The Giants also have an additional second-round pick as a result of the recent Leonard Williams trade. So, there are pieces to play with here.

Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). That's the cream of the crop of a 2024 class that is deep and full of exceptional talent. Those four QBs may very-well be four of the first five picks in the next draft. Only the Panthers don't need one, having just taken Bryce Young first. What's even more intriguing here, is this upcoming draft class also includes guys like Bo Nix (Oregon) and Jordan Travis (Florida State) who can be available later in round one or on day two. At least one of these major talents will be there on the draft board when the Giants are on the clock come April. It will be hard to pass on any of them.