2001 New York Giants season

2001 New York Giants season
OwnerWellington Mara
Robert Tisch
General managerErnie Accorsi
Head coachJim Fassel
Home fieldGiants Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersG Ron Stone
DE Michael Strahan
LB Jessie Armstead
Uniform

The 2001 season was the New York Giants' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and the fifth under head coach Jim Fassel. They were returning as Super Bowl runners-up from the 2000 season, after losing Super Bowl XXXV to the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants tried to improve on their 12–4 record from the previous year, instead they finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. However, Michael Strahan was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2001 season. He broke the NFL single season sack record with 22.5, surpassing Mark Gastineau's total of 22, by sacking Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers at Giants Stadium in the final regular-season game. Following the season, defensive coordinator John Fox left to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, a team he would take to the Super Bowl just two years later.