By Darin In 2024, as the New York Giants celebrate their 100th anniversary, we look back at a season that truly defined their early dominance. The year was 1938, a time when the NFL was still finding its identity, yet the Giants—under the legendary coach Steve Owen—proved they were already a force to be reckoned with. This wasn’t a season won on offense alone; it was a campaign built on grit, timely defense, and opportunistic special teams play that culminated in a thrilling championship victory over the mighty Green Bay Packers. This is the story of how the 1938 Giants cemented their place as early NFL royalty.
The Eastern Division Showdown
The 1938 Giants, who finished the regular season with an impressive 8-2-1 record, were defined by their formidable defense, which allowed the fewest points in the league. However, their path to the championship was far from easy, primarily blocked by the reigning NFL champions, the Washington Redskins, led by the incomparable “Slinging” Sammy Baugh.
The Redskins, who had routed the Giants in the previous year’s season finale, held the Eastern Division lead for much of the year. The Giants capitalized when Washington stumbled against the Chicago Bears, allowing New York to seize the top spot.
The Eastern title effectively came down to a decisive game on December 4th, 1938, at the Polo Grounds in New York. A season-high crowd of 57,461 fans gathered to watch the clash between the Giants (7-2-1) and the Redskins (6-2-2). While Washington surprisingly led in total offense (207 yards to 160) and first downs (13 to 6), the scoreboard told a different story.
The Giants’ suffocating defense forced seven Washington fumbles, turning the contest into a rout. Defensive touchdowns by Chuck Golgothka (off a Baugh interception) and a 96-yard pick-six by Ward Cuff propelled Big Blue to a decisive 36-0 victory, securing the Eastern Division crown.
The 1938 NFL Championship Game
On December 11th, 1938, the Giants hosted the Western Division champion Green Bay Packers (8-4), coached by the iconic Curly Lambeau and featuring future Hall of Famers Don Hutson and Arnie Herber. Over 48,000 spectators packed the Polo Grounds for the title clash.
Just before the coin toss, Giants center Mel Hine received the honor of the league’s most outstanding player (the equivalent of a modern MVP award), setting an inspirational tone for the home team.
The Giants immediately established dominance through special teams and defense. Two blocked punts by the Giants—one by Jim Lee Howell and another by Jim Poole—set up nine early points, capped by a touchdown run by Tuffy Lehmans. The first quarter ended with the Giants up 9-0.
The second quarter was a thrilling scoring flurry. Green Bay rallied when Herber connected on a 49-yard touchdown strike. However, the Giants quickly responded when Mel Hine recovered a crucial Packers fumble, leading to a controversial Ed Danowski-to-Hab Bernard touchdown pass, which Packers coach Lambeau vehemently contested, claiming the ball was not controlled. Despite the controversy, the score stood. The Packers managed to cut the lead to 16-14 just before halftime.
The championship drama reached a fever pitch during halftime, as Curly Lambeau, seeking clarification from officials on the contested touchdown, became disoriented, was locked out of the Polo Grounds by non-recognizing gatekeepers, and only regained entrance with the help of sportswriters.
The third quarter saw Green Bay briefly take the lead on a field goal, 17-16. But the Giants’ opportunistic defense had the final say. Giants back Hank Soar snatched an errant pass intended for Clark Hinkle and tiptoed across the goal line for the game-winning touchdown. Despite another controversial late-game call going against Green Bay, the Giants held on to win, 23-17.
Conclusion
The 1938 New York Giants were the definition of a championship team, leveraging grit, skill, and an unwavering commitment to opportunistic defense and special teams. Under Coach Steve Owen, key players like Mel Hine, Ward Cuff, and Tuffy Lehmans delivered under pressure, securing the franchise’s second NFL Championship. This cherished chapter solidified the Giants’ place in NFL history as a dominant force and remains a proud highlight as they celebrate 100 seasons of football excellence.
