 After making the playoffs in 1984 and 1985 , the Giants entered the 1986 season as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl . They began the season with 31 – 28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys , before winning five consecutive games . After losing 17 – 12 to the Seattle Seahawks in week seven , the Giants won their final nine regular season games . Following the regular season , coach Bill Parcells won the NFL Coach of the Year Award , and eight Giants were named to the Pro Bowl . The Giants ' defense , nicknamed the Big Blue Wrecking Crew , finished second in the league in points and yards allowed . 
