Super Bowl XXI (21) New York VS Denver Recap

Super Bowl XXI New York 39, Denver 20 Recap

New York Defeats Denver in Super Bowl XXI. Phil Simms named MVP

The NFC champion New York Giants captured their first NFL title since 1956 when they defeated the AFC champion Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. John Elway who was 13 of 20 for 187 yards in the first half, and the Broncos, held a 10-9 lead at intermission, the narrowest halftime margin in Super Bowl history.

Denver's Rich Karlis opened the scoring with a Super Bowl record-tying 48-yard field goal. Next Series, New York drove 78 yards in nine plays to take a 7-3 lead on Phil Simms's 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zeke Mowatt.

The Broncos came right back with a 58-yard scoring drive on six plays finished off by John Elway's 4-yard touchdown run. The second quarter saw the sack of Elway in the end zone by defensive end George Martin for a New York safety.

Early in the second. the Broncos had a first down at the New York 1-yard line, but failed to score on three running plays and Karlis's 23-yard missed field-goal attempt and slowly the balance of power started to shift.

The Giants took command of the game in the third en route to a 30-point second half, the most ever scored in one half of Super Bowl play.

N.Y. Giants took the lead for good on tight end Mark Bavaro's 13-yard touchdown catch 4:52 3rd. The nine-play, 63-yard scoring drive included the successful conversion of a risky fourth-and-1 play on the New York 46-yard line. Denver was limited to only two net yards on 10 offensive plays in the third period.

Simms set Super Bowl records, most consecutive completions (10) and highest completion percentage (88 percent on 22 completions in 25 attempts). Simms also passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP).

New York running back Joe Morris was the game's leading rusher with 20 carries for 67 yards. Denver wide receiver Vance Johnson led all receivers with five catches for 121 yards.

Scoring Information

                       1  2  3  4  Final
                       _________________
Denver                10  0  0 10     20
New York Giants        7  2 17 13     39

Denver Broncos  - FG Karlis 48                            
4:09 into the 1st

New York Giants - Mowatt 6 pass from Simms (Allegre kick) 
9:33 into the 1st

Denver Broncos  - Elway 4 run  (Karlis kick)              
12:54 into the 1st

New York Giants - safety Martin 0                         
12:14 into the 2nd

New York Giants - Bavaro 13 pass from Simms (Allegre kick)
4:52 into the 3rd

New York Giants - FG Allegre 21                            
11:06 into the 3rd

New York Giants - Morris 1 run  (Allegre kick)             
14:36 into the 3rd

New York Giants - McConkey 6 pass from Simms (Allegre kick)
4:04 into the 4th

Denver Broncos  - FG Karlis 28                     
8:59 into the 4th

New York Giants - Anderson 2 run  (kick failed)      
11:42 into the 4th

Denver Broncos  - Johnson 47 pass from Elway (Karlis kick)
12:54 into the 4th

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Quick Facts

Score:

Super Bowl XXI

New York 39
Denver 20

Location:
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
January 25,1987
Attendance: 101,063

MVP:
Phil Simms, Quarterback
of the New York Giants

Coaches
NYG Bill Parcells
DEN Dan Reeves

Super Bowl XXI Ring, New York 39 vs Denver 20, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, MVP Phil Simms, Quarterback of the New York Giants

Super Bowl XXI Ring