NFC Wild Card Playoff - "One Wild Finish"
NFC Wild Card Playoff - "One Wild Finish"
2002 - Giants vs. 49ers

NFC Wild Card Playoff - "One Wild Finish"

"I'm still mad as you can see." - Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan
by Michael Strahan

The 49ers have had many big wins over the decades, and this one – a 24-point second half comeback to steal a playoff game – was as thrilling as any. On January 3, 2003, San Francisco hosted the New York Giants in an NFC Wild Card contest. The 49ers got off to a quick start with a 76-yard pass TD from Jeff Garcia to Terrell Owens in the first quarter, but from the end of the second quarter until late in the third, the Giants scored 24 unanswered points, two of them TD passes from Kerry Collins to Amani Toomer, as New York led, 38-14. Then began the second biggest playoff turnaround in NFL history: Garcia passed for a TD, then rushed for a score in just over a 2-minute span. A 49ers FG cut the Giants lead to 38-33 and then with a minute left, Garcia tossed a 13-yard touchdown to Tai Streets. The Giants still had a chance to win, but a botched snap on a potential GW FG by Trey Junkin dashed New York's chances, giving the 49ers the 39-38 win. In their next game, the 49ers’ offense sputtered, and they were eliminated by Tampa Bay, 31-6.

Michael Strahan
Michael
Strahan
Michael Strahan is a former Giants defensive end who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2001, Strahan was named Defensive Player of the Year after recording 22.5 sacks, which remains a single-season NFL record. Strahan also made seven Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with the Giants in February 2008, his final NFL game. Strahan is currently an analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday” and a co-host for “Good Morning America” and “Strahan, Sara, and Keke.” Strahan was also an Emmy Award-winning co-host of the talk show, “LIVE with Kelly and Michael.”
Profession:
reporter
Place of Birth:
Houston, TX
Preferred Team:
New York Giants