New York Giants vs. New York Jets: Who Really Rules NYC?

The Giants and Jets share not only a stadium, but also one of the biggest markets in all of sports. Fans of both sides, of course, claim that it is their team that rules New York.

Let’s look at both sides of the story and see if we can decide which team owns the biggest piece of the metropolitan pie.

Success/History

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IRNING, TX - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants was consoled by head coach Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys on October 16, 2005 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.The Cowboys defeated the Giants 16-13 in overtime.

First and foremost, sports rivalries are measured by success. And in football, success is measured by Super Bowls.

The G-Men joined the NFL in 1925, five years after the league’s inception. They were NFL champions (pre-merger) four times and Super Bowl champions three times, in 1986, 1990 and 2007.

The Jets, founded in 1959 as the Titans of New York, spent a decade in the American Football League before the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. They won their one and only championship in 1969, as Joe Namath led the underdog Jets over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. 

Edge: Giants

Great Moment

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 26: Former Jets quarterback is introduced during halftime festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Jets' win over the Colts in Super Bowl III during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets on

Both teams have given their fans plenty to cheer about over the years. But let’s take a look at two franchise-defining victories.

In that Super Bowl III, the Jets were famously 18-point underdogs. Perhaps more famous was Joe Namath’s guarantee. Namath backed up his bold statement with an MVP performance, going 17 for 28 with 206 yards.

The AFL was given little respect at that time, and the Jets 16-7 victory went a long way towards fixing that. In fact, a year later the two leagues merged to form the NFL that we know today.

The Giants, meanwhile, produced what many consider the greatest game in the team’s history just four years ago. Much like the Jets in Super Bowl III, the Giants came into this contest as heavy underdogs against the 18-0 Patriots. Sixty minutes, some great defense and an Eli-Manning-to-David-Tyree miracle later, the Giants stomped them out.

Edge: Push

Personality

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

In recent years, head coach Rex Ryan has personified the New York Jets. Ryan’s brash approach has been divisive, but his players love him for it. And for his success, the fans love him too.

Ryan’s larger-than-life media personality along with his willingness to make headlining roster moves (see Braylon Edwards, LT and possibly Randy Moss) go a long way towards winning not only games, but the New York market.

Also, for much of their history, the Jets have been perceived as loveable underdogs. Many times, especially with Ryan in recent years, they have put their bulldog spirit on display.

The Giants, meanwhile, are renowned for their blue-collar approach as embodied by current head coach Tom Coughlin. His disciplinarian approach is in many ways the antithesis of Ryan’s.

For much of the team’s history, the Giants have prided themselves on strong defense and a steady running game. This furthers their blue-collar identity.

Edge: Push

Recent Success

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets huddles with teammates against the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

The Giants may have won Super Bowl XLII in 2007, but the Jets have had more recent success. In both 2009 and 2010, the Jets made deep playoff runs, falling in the AFC championship twice.

At this moment, the Jets probably have the better squad too.

Edge: Jets

Who Really Rules NYC?

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

It is certainly a close call, but based on the idea that success defines sports, Giants fans have more to hang their hats on when it comes to this debate. Their three Super Bowls and overall success as a franchise trump the Jets.

Jets fans, of course, will point to their team’s recent success. And rightly so.

Truth be told, there is no answer to this question. Fans of both teams will always believe that their colors shine brightest.

Let’s just hope that the lockout ends soon so that we can get back to what football is all about: settling it on the gridiron.