The Giants selected
defensive endGary Jeter in the
1977 NFL Draft with the fifth overall pick.[4] Before the
season, the Giants signed quarterback
Joe Pisarcik, who won the starting position to replace
Craig Morton, whom they had traded to the
Denver Broncos. New York won their opening game of the year against the
Washington Redskins, prevailing 20–17 on a
field goal by
Joe Danelo in the final seconds.[5] After losses in their next three games, victories over the
San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins evened the Giants’ record at 3–3. Afterwards, New York lost six of their last eight games.[2] With a season-ending 12–9 defeat by the
Chicago Bears in overtime,[6] the team concluded the year at 5–9.[2]
Offensively, New York's season total of 181 points was lower than all but four of the 27 other NFL teams.[6] Pisarcik started 11 of the Giants' 14 games in 1977 and threw for 1,346 yards, but had 14 passes intercepted and only four touchdowns.
Bobby Hammond led the Giants in rushing with 154 carries for 577 yards.
Doug Kotar and
Larry Csonka also rushed for more than 450 yards each.[2] The team's leading receiver statistically was
Jimmy Robinson, who caught 22 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
Gary Shirk was the only other Giants player with multiple touchdown catches, while
Johnny Perkins was second behind Robinson with 20 receptions. On defense,
cornerbackBill Bryant led New York with three interceptions.[2] For the second consecutive season,
linebackerBrad Van Pelt was the only Giant to make the Pro Bowl.[7]
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Scott Hunter set up
Monroe Eley's one-yard plunge early in the second period with an 18-yard bootleg and backup quarterback
Kim McQuilken led an 80-yard scoring drive in the final period to give the Falcons a 17–3 win over the Giants.[8]
Joe Pisarcik's 37-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Gary Shirk and a pair of field goals by Joe Danelo helped give New York a narrow 20–17 victory, their first in four games. 49ers quarterback
Jim Plunkett started a San Francisco rally. Touchdowns by
Wilbur Jackson on a one-yard run and wide receiver
Gene Washington on a 47-yard pass made the game close.[9]