1986 Super Bowl XXI
The 1986 Giants: First Super Bowl champions, led by Taylor and Simms.
The 1986 New York Giants won Super Bowl XXI, defeating the Denver Broncos 39–20. It was the Giants' first Super Bowl victory and fifth championship in franchise history.
Quick Facts
- Date
- January 25, 1987
- Venue
- Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
- Opponent
- Denver Broncos
- Final score
- Giants 39, Broncos 20
- Head coach
- Bill Parcells
- Super bowl era
- XXI
Lore & Background
Led by league MVP linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms, the Giants posted a 14–2 regular season record, tied for best in the league with the defending champion Chicago Bears. They won their first division title since the 1970 merger and defeated the San Francisco 49ers 49–3 in the divisional round, then shut out the Washington Redskins 17–0 in the NFC Championship Game. In Super Bowl XXI, Simms completed 88% of his passes, and the Giants overcame a 10–9 halftime deficit by scoring 30 second-half points while allowing only 10, winning 39–20.
Reader's Guide
The Giants' defense, nicknamed the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, finished second in the league in points and yards allowed. The team popularized the 'Gatorade shower' tradition. Eight Giants were named to the Pro Bowl, and coach Bill Parcells won NFL Coach of the Year.
The Clash of Titans: Teams and Defensive Dominance
Super Bowl XXI featured a compelling matchup between two distinct styles of play. The Denver Broncos, making their first championship appearance since 1977, relied heavily on the ad-libbing genius of quarterback John Elway. In his fourth season, Elway orchestrated an offense that distributed targets evenly among receivers like Mark Jackson and Vance Johnson, while running back Sammy Winder provided a dual-threat element. However, the Broncos' true strength lay in their defense, which led the entire AFC by allowing the fewest rushing yards. Anchored by Pro Bowl end Rulon Jones and linebackers Tom Jackson and Karl Mecklenburg, this unit was designed to stifle ground attacks. Opposing them were the New York Giants, who boasted a 14–2 regular season record and a fearsome defense known as the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew." Led by quarterback Phil Simms and running back Joe Morris, the Giants had been nearly impenetrable in the playoffs, surrendering only three points across two victories. This defensive showdown set the stage for a game where stopping the run would prove to be the deciding factor.
A Tale of Two Halves: The Turning Point
The first half of Super Bowl XXI was an intense, low-scoring affair that saw the Broncos holding a slender 10–9 lead at halftime. This margin remains the narrowest in Super Bowl history, reflecting a tightly contested battle where neither offense could establish a clear rhythm early on. However, the momentum shifted dramatically following a pivotal moment in the second quarter when Giants defensive end George Martin sacked Elway in his own end zone for a safety. This play effectively ended Denver's offensive hopes and ignited a historic scoring run by New York. The Giants erupted for 26 unanswered points throughout the third and fourth quarters, setting a Super Bowl record with 30 points scored after halftime. The Broncos' offense was completely neutralized in the third quarter, managing only two net yards of progress. Although Denver managed to score ten additional points late in the game to narrow the final deficit to 39–20, they could not overcome the overwhelming second-half dominance displayed by the Giants.
Phil Simms and a Record-Breaking Performance
Quarterback Phil Simms delivered one of the most efficient performances in Super Bowl history, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player. His completion percentage of 88% shattered both Super Bowl and NFL postseason records at the time, showcasing a level of accuracy that left the Denver defense helpless. Beyond his passing prowess, Simms also contributed on the ground, adding 25 rushing yards on just three carries to keep drives alive. This masterful display capped off a season where he led the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory and first NFL championship since 1956.
Traditions Born: The Gatorade Shower and Disneyworld
Beyond the on-field action, Super Bowl XXI introduced enduring traditions that would define future championship celebrations. During the post-game festivities, viewers witnessed an early iteration of the now-iconic Gatorade shower, where players dumped a cooler of liquid over their coach's head to celebrate a significant victory. While Giants players had started this practice in 1985, it gained massive national attention during the 1986 season under Coach Bill Parcells, who was doused after every win. Additionally, the game helped popularize the winning quarterback's declaration of going to Disneyworld or Disneyland. Although Phil Simms would later become the first to say this live on air following Super Bowl XXV, the sentiment was heavily promoted through advertisements featuring "When You Wish Upon a Star" during the broadcast of this game. With an estimated 87.2 million viewers tuning in on CBS, these moments became cultural touchstones that extended the legacy of the game far beyond the final whistle.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the game held?
This historic matchup took place on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
What was the final score of Super Bowl XXI?
New York finished with a decisive 39-20 win over their opponents on national television.
Who won the Most Valuable Player award for this game?
Running back Ottis Anderson was named MVP after delivering an exceptional performance throughout the contest.
More in Championships & Records
Elsewhere in New York Giants
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced