Super Bowl XXI vs Denver Broncos

Lore & Background

The game was tight in the first half, with the Broncos holding a 10–9 halftime lead, the narrowest margin in Super Bowl history. The only score in the second quarter was Giants defensive end George Martin's sack of Elway in the end zone for a safety. This began the Giants’ run of scoring 26 unanswered points through the third and fourth quarters. Denver would counter with ten additional points toward the end of the game. The Giants posted a Super Bowl record 30 points in the second half, and limited the Broncos to only 2 net yards in the third quarter. Simms, named Super Bowl MVP, finished with 22 of 25 passes completed for 268 yards and three touchdowns, and his 88% completion percentage broke both a Super Bowl and NFL postseason record.

Reader's Guide

The telecast on CBS was seen by an estimated 87.2 million viewers. The large national audience saw an early appearance of the now-traditional Gatorade shower, where players dump a cooler full of liquid over a coach's head following a meaningful win. The practice was first started by Giants players in 1985; it began to gain national attention during the 1986 season, when Parcells was doused after every win. Another tradition was set with the quarterback from the winning team stating after the game that he was 'Going to Disneyworld/Disneyland!'; although this version was made into an advertisement (featuring 'When You Wish Upon A Star' as its soundtrack) for later playback. Simms would be the first to say it live following the Giants win in Super Bowl XXV. Both Simms and Elway were each paid $75,000.

Did You Know?

• This was the Broncos' first Super Bowl appearance since the 1977 season.
• The Giants advanced to their first Super Bowl in team history after posting a 14–2 regular season record and only allowing a combined total of 3 points in their two postseason wins.
• This loss kicked off the Broncos' run of Super Bowl futility with John Elway under center that decade; they lost the next year 42–10 to the Washington Redskins, and two years later fell to the 49ers 55–10.