Super Bowl XXI
In what is arguably the single finest individual performance in Super Bowl history, New York Giants' quarterback, Phil Simms, saved his best game for the biggest stage.
In fact, it is safe to say, Simms' had the finest performance by a quarterback in a Super Bowl ever, as he completed 22 of 25 pass attempts (with two dropped passes) and threw 3 touchdowns. He was rightly voted the contest's MVP.
Not that Super Bowl XXI was a blow-out - at least not to begin with. The first half was relatively evenly matched, with the Broncos leading 10-9 at the break.
However, the signs of the game turning in the Giants' favor were already present before halftime. Aside from scoring a safety by tackling Broncos' quarterback, John Elway, in the end zone, the New York defense had stopped the Broncos cold at the goal line.
Sparked further by a converted fake punt on the opening drive of the second half, the Giants would score twenty-six unanswered points before the Broncos finally responded with a field goal, putting them on the wrong side of a 33-13 scoreline. Each team would add a further touchdown to make the final score a little more respectable, 39-20
In fact, it is safe to say, Simms' had the finest performance by a quarterback in a Super Bowl ever, as he completed 22 of 25 pass attempts (with two dropped passes) and threw 3 touchdowns. He was rightly voted the contest's MVP.
Not that Super Bowl XXI was a blow-out - at least not to begin with. The first half was relatively evenly matched, with the Broncos leading 10-9 at the break.
However, the signs of the game turning in the Giants' favor were already present before halftime. Aside from scoring a safety by tackling Broncos' quarterback, John Elway, in the end zone, the New York defense had stopped the Broncos cold at the goal line.
Sparked further by a converted fake punt on the opening drive of the second half, the Giants would score twenty-six unanswered points before the Broncos finally responded with a field goal, putting them on the wrong side of a 33-13 scoreline. Each team would add a further touchdown to make the final score a little more respectable, 39-20
First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
Total |
|
Giants |
7 |
2 |
17 |
13 |
39 |
Broncos |
10 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
20 |
Scoring Record
First Quarter
Giants 0, Broncos 3
FG: Rich Karlis 48-yard kick
Giants 7, Broncos 3
TD: Zeke Mowatt 6-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 7, Broncos 10
TD: John Elway 4-yard run (Rich Karlis extra point)
Second Quarter
Giants 9, Broncos 10
S: George Martin tackled John Elway in end zone
Third Quarter
Giants 16, Broncos 10
TD: Mark Bavaro 13-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 19, Broncos 10
FG: Raul Allegre 21-yard kick
Giants 26, Broncos 10
TD: Joe Morris 1-yard touchdown run (Raul Allegre extra point)
Fourth Quarter
Giants 33, Broncos 10
TD: Phil McConkey 6-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 33, Broncos 13
FG: Rich Karlis 28-yard kick
Giants 39, Broncos 13
TD: Ottis Anderson 2-yard run (extra point missed)
Giants 39, Broncos 20
TD: Vance Johnson 47-yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis extra point)
First Quarter
Giants 0, Broncos 3
FG: Rich Karlis 48-yard kick
Giants 7, Broncos 3
TD: Zeke Mowatt 6-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 7, Broncos 10
TD: John Elway 4-yard run (Rich Karlis extra point)
Second Quarter
Giants 9, Broncos 10
S: George Martin tackled John Elway in end zone
Third Quarter
Giants 16, Broncos 10
TD: Mark Bavaro 13-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 19, Broncos 10
FG: Raul Allegre 21-yard kick
Giants 26, Broncos 10
TD: Joe Morris 1-yard touchdown run (Raul Allegre extra point)
Fourth Quarter
Giants 33, Broncos 10
TD: Phil McConkey 6-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre extra point)
Giants 33, Broncos 13
FG: Rich Karlis 28-yard kick
Giants 39, Broncos 13
TD: Ottis Anderson 2-yard run (extra point missed)
Giants 39, Broncos 20
TD: Vance Johnson 47-yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis extra point)
Giants' quarterback, Phil Simms, had arguably the greatest performance at his position in a Super Bowl
Game Facts and Stats
Date: Sunday 25th January 1987
Stadium: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Attendance: 101,063
MVP: Phil Simms, QB, New York Giants
TV Broadcast: CBS (Pat Summerall and John Madden)
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
National Anthem: Neil Diamond
Halftime Show:"Salute To Hollywood's 100th Anniversary"
Stadium: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Attendance: 101,063
MVP: Phil Simms, QB, New York Giants
TV Broadcast: CBS (Pat Summerall and John Madden)
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
National Anthem: Neil Diamond
Halftime Show:"Salute To Hollywood's 100th Anniversary"
Broncos' quarterback, John Elway, was harassed by the Giants defense all game
The Giants' defense celebrate a safety of John Elway
Tight end, Mark Bavaro, after scoring a touchdown
Other Notable Game Notes
Following the end of Super Bowl XXI, Disney began its "I'm going to Disney World!" promotion with the winning MVP. Aside from his stellar performance on the field, this is another distinction Simms' enjoys, as being the first player to utter the words following the big game.
Viewers in the UK witnessed the international feed of the game on Channel 4, with veteran Monday Night Football broadcaster, Frank Gifford, doing play-by-play, joined by former Patriots' kicker, John Smith, and (then) Miami Dolphins' head coach, Don Shula. Gifford had spent the 1986 season hosting the stations NFL coverage.
Super Bowl XXI would be the last time for thirteen seasons (in Super Bowl XXXIV) two feature to teams who had hadn't previously won the big game.
Following the end of Super Bowl XXI, Disney began its "I'm going to Disney World!" promotion with the winning MVP. Aside from his stellar performance on the field, this is another distinction Simms' enjoys, as being the first player to utter the words following the big game.
Viewers in the UK witnessed the international feed of the game on Channel 4, with veteran Monday Night Football broadcaster, Frank Gifford, doing play-by-play, joined by former Patriots' kicker, John Smith, and (then) Miami Dolphins' head coach, Don Shula. Gifford had spent the 1986 season hosting the stations NFL coverage.
Super Bowl XXI would be the last time for thirteen seasons (in Super Bowl XXXIV) two feature to teams who had hadn't previously won the big game.
Lineback, Harry Carson, dumps the Gatorade over head coach , Bill Parcells, in celebration
Although they were never particularly close as players, both agreed later that winning Super Bowl XXI bridged a gap between the Giants two best players.
New York Giants' head coach, Bill Parcells
SUPER BOWL XXII
The twenty-second Super Bowl came down to one quarter, the second. The Washington Redskins would score thirty-five points.......