 The Giants started the season at 6–6, after which Fassel removed playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Sean Payton.The team responded to win their final four games to finish the year 10–6, and secure a first-round playoff game against the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers.The Giants controlled the 49ers throughout the game, and with four minutes left in the third quarter held a 38–14 lead, which would have been even larger had not Shockey dropped a touchdown pass in the third quarter.