These are the 10 greatest NY Giants moments in Super Bowl history

Those four Vince Lombardi trophies on display in the lobby of the New York Giants' training facility represent the greatest moments the franchise has ever had.

On the eve of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs set to play for their own Lombardi, with Patrick Mahomes seeking to deliver a championship repeat and Taylor Swift's trek from Japan to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce, the Giants are another year removed from the Super excellence they believe defines the organization.

Can Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen get Big Blue back in contention for the Big Game? That's the goal, and coming off a 6-11 campaign, with plenty of work to be done, the challenge is certainly a daunting one.

We all have unforgettable memories from when the Giants finished on top, certain plays that could have gone the other way and reversed the outcome. It's why Super Bowl XXXV against the Ravens is a distant fifth for the Giants in their history.

Asante Samuel's dropped interception in Super Bowl XLII. Wes Welker's drop of a Tom Brady pass in Super Bowl XLVI, prompting Gisele Bundchen’s infamous line: “My husband can not [expletive] throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.”

The "what ifs" don't stand a chance against the reality created by the plays that actually happened.

Here are the 10 biggest plays for the Giants in their Super Bowl wins:

10. Steve Smith, Mr. Reliable

One of the most impactful plays in Super Bowl history that always gets lost in time.

The Helmet Catch happened, and video highlights suggest that Plaxico Burress' game-winning touchdown catch came right after. But that might not ever take place if not for Steve Smith's clutch 12-yard grab on a third-and-11 from the New England 25-yard line with 45 seconds left.

Smith was such an indispensable player on that team, and his fifth reception proved to be enormous.

One play later, Eli Manning hit Burress to seal Super Bowl XLII and the rest is NFL history.

9. Chase-ing down Gronk

Chase Blackburn had submitted his paperwork to become a substitute middle school math teacher in his Ohio hometown. Weeks later, called back to the Giants as a starting middle linebacker, Blackburn was chasing down Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski and intercepting Tom Brady in a critical play that swung Super Bowl XLVI in the Giants' favor.

8. By George (Martin): Big Blue decks John Elway

Late in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI, the Giants trailed the Broncos, 10-7, and Denver was driving to extend its lead. John Elway was sacked on first down and threw an incomplete pass on second down before George Martin chased Denver's Hall of Fame quarterback into the end zone on third-and-12.

Martin decked Elway for a safety, pulling the Giants within 10-9, and Big Blue used that momentum to roll in the second half en route to a 39-20 victory.

7. Jay Alford: A rookie rises up

The Giants took the lead on Manning-to-Burress late in Super Bowl XLII, but everyone on Big Blue held their breath with time still on the clock. The prospects of seeing Tom Brady with the ball and Randy Moss on the field were enough to cause extreme worry.

But facing second down at the Patriots' own 25, Brady was obliterated by rookie Jay Alford, who worked his way free on the interior and delivered a sack that all but sealed the triumph.

6. Mark Ingram refuses to go down

The Giants found themselves down 12-10 at halftime of Super Bowl XXV, but they received the ball first in the second half and set a different tone during a record-setting drive that lasted almost 10 minutes.

Faced with a third-and-13, Jeff Hostetler completed a pass to receiver Mark Ingram, who took over and delivered the highlight of his career. He broke five tackles to get to the sticks for a 14-yard gain.

Had the Bills stopped Ingram, the Giants might have had to kick a field. Instead, the drive continued and Ottis Anderson powered into the end zone five plays later to give the Giants a 17-12 lead.

5. Thou shall not pass (into the end zone)

This was a series of plays, actually, and the Big Blue Wrecking Crew flexed its muscles.

The Broncos drove the length of the field and were knocking on the door at the Giants' 1-yard line on the first drive of the second quarter in Super Bowl XXI.

Lawrence Taylor decked John Elway behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 1. Harry Carson stuffed Gerald Willhite for no gain. Carl Banks tackled Sammy Winder for a loss of four. Then the Broncos missed a 23-yard field goal, so even though they still led 10-7, the Giants were the ones that send a message.

4. 'Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York'

Manning and Burress delivered the iconic answer to Michael Strahan's famous "17-14" plea.

Manning lofted a 13-yard pass to the far left corner of the end zone for Burress, who cleanly beat New England's Ellis Hobbs by running right past him to catch the game-winning touchdown of Super Bowl XLII.

3. 'Rio is grand - and that throw!

Perhaps the best throw of Manning's career in one of the most pivotal moments. The perfect route run by Mario Manningham with a spectacular catch.

The Giants don't win Super Bowl XLVI without the play that was confirmed by replay, as Manningham hauled in the 38-yard reception with a toe-tap between defenders on the Patriots' sideline. Five plays later, Ahmad Bradshaw scored the decisive touchdown.

2. Wide Right ... enough said!

Scott Norwood lives in Bills' infamy, obviously, but the play itself is one of those still celebrated in Giants' history, and rightfully so. Norwood pushed a 47-yard attempt wide right on the final play of Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991, giving the Giants a 20-19 win and their second Lombardi trophy.

Images of elation include Reyna Thompson at the point of the kick, thrusting his arms in the air, and Everson Walls' moment of exultation that was captured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

1. David (Tyree's helmet) slays Goliath

Imagine if Eli Manning threw the ball to right guard Chris Snee, as he later joked he thought about doing.

Yet Manning spun away from the grasp of a crowd of Patriots, heaving a throw to the middle of the field where David Tyree was. He was open for a split second before Patriots safety Rodney Harrison came charging, but Tyree was able to pin the ball against his helmet for an incredible 32-yard catch that lives on as one of the most improbable plays in the history of the sport.

Four plays later, Burress and the Giants were celebrating in the end zone.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Giants: Ranking their 10 greatest Super Bowl moments