"I had dreamed of scoring a touchdown in a Super Bowl all my life. I've watched it on tape, and sometimes it still seems like a fantasy. I don't know if I'll ever put it in the reality category. Maybe that's the great thing about it."
-Giants WR Phil McConkey, on his TD reception

Super Bowl XXI

January 25, 1987 - Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA

Denver
Broncos
(13-5)
Super Bowl XXI Logo New York
Giants
(16-2)
Broncos Logo Lombardi 'vs.' Giants Logo
AFC Logo Denver -20
New York -39
NFC Logo

Rosters & Coaches | Game Summary | Play-by-Play | MVP Profile | SB Ring | Ticket | Program

Super Bowl XXI Quick Stats
Date:January 25, 1987
Location:Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA
Surface:Outdoors on grass
Game Weather:
Conditions:Temp: 76 F
Attendance:101,063
Kickoff Time:3:00 P.M. Pacific
Commentary:Pat Summerall and John Madden (CBS)
Officials:Referee: Jerry Markbreit (9), Umpire: Bob Boylston (101), Line Judge: Bob Beeks (59), Side Judge: Gil Mace (90), Head Linesman: Terry Gierke (72), Back Judge: Jim Poole (92), Field Judge: Pat Mallette (82)
Pre-Game Show:Salute to California
Ftr: Beach Boys, TV Trivia, giant California postcard
National Anthem:Neil Diamond
Coin Toss:Willie Davis
Halftime Show: Salute to Hollywood's 100th Anniversary
Ftr: Southern California-area high school drill teams and dancers
Producer: Disney
Winner Share:$36,000
Loser Share:$18,000
Ticket Price:$75
Favorite:New York by 9.5 pts.
TV Rating:45.8, 66 share (CBS)
Most Valuable Player:Giants QB Phil Simms (22/25, 268 yds, 3 TDs; 3 for 25 yds)

* Denotes Division Champion | † Denotes Overtime
1986 NFL Playoffs
AFC WildcardAFC DivisionalAFC Conference NFC ConferenceNFC DivisionalNFC Wildcard
Kansas City (10-6) at
N.Y. Jets (10-6)
15
35
N.Y. Jets (11-6) at
Cleveland* (12-4)
20
23†
Denver (12-5) at
Cleveland (13-4)
23
20†
Washington (14-4) at
N.Y. Giants (15-2)
0
17
Washington (13-4) at
Chicago* (14-2)
27
13
L.A. Rams (10-6) at
Washington (12-4)
7
19
New England* (11-5) at
Denver* (11-5)
17
22
San Francisco* (10-5-1) at
N.Y. Giants* (14-2)
3
49

* Denotes Wildcard Team | Tiebreakers: Denver was second playoff seed ahead of New England based on head-to-head victory (1-0). N.Y. Jets were first wildcard based on better conference record (8-4) than Kansas City (9-5), Seattle (7-5), and Cincinnati (7-5). Kansas City was second wildcard based on better conference record (9-5) than Seattle (7-5) and Cincinnati (7-5). N.Y. Giants were top playoff seed based based on better conference record than Chicago (11-1 to Bear's 10-2). Washington did not play the N.Y. Giants in the divisional playoffs because, from 1970-1989, two teams from the same division could not meet prior to the conference championship game.
1986 NFL Standings
American Football Conference
EasternCentralWestern
New England Patriots
New York Jets*
Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
Indianapolis Colts
11-5-0
10-6-0
8-8-0
4-12-0
3-13-0
0.688
0.625
0.500
0.250
0.188
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Oilers
12-4-0
10-6-0
6-10-0
5-11-0
0.750
0.625
0.375
0.313
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs*
Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Raiders
San Diego Chargers
11-5-0
10-6-0
10-6-0
8-8-0
4-12-0
0.688
0.625
0.625
0.500
0.250
National Football Conference
EasternCentralWestern
New York Giants
Washington Redskins*
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
St. Louis Cardinals
14-2-0
12-4-0
7-9-0
5-10-1
4-11-1
0.875
0.750
0.438
0.344
0.281
Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14-2-0
9-7-0
5-11-0
4-12-0
2-14-0
0.875
0.563
0.313
0.250
0.125
San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles Rams*
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
10-5-1
10-6-0
7-8-1
7-9-0
0.656
0.625
0.469
0.438

* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
Denver 1986 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (11-5)
Sun9/7L.A. RaidersW38-36
Mon*9/15at PittsburghW21-10
Sun9/21at PhiladelphiaW33-7
Sun9/28New EnglandW27-20
Sun10/5DallasW29-14
Sun10/12at San DiegoW31-14
Mon*10/20at N.Y. JetsL10-22
Sun10/26SeattleW20-13
Sun11/2at L.A. RaidersW21-10
Sun11/9San DiegoL3-9
Sun11/16Kansas CityW38-17
Sun11/23at N.Y. GiantsL16-19
Sun11/30CincinnatiW34-28
Sun12/7at Kansas CityL10-37
Sat12/13WashingtonW31-30
Sat12/20at SeattleL16-41
Post Season
Sun1/4New EnglandW22-17
Sun1/11at ClevelandW23-20†
* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
New York 1986 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (14-2)
Mon*9/8at DallasL28-31
Sun9/14San DiegoW20-7
Sun9/21at L.A. RaidersW14-9
Sun9/28New OrleansW20-17
Sun10/5at St. LouisW13-6
Sun10/12PhiladelphiaW35-3
Sun10/19at SeattleL12-17
Mon*10/27WashingtonW27-20
Sun11/2DallasW17-14
Sun11/9at PhiladelphiaW17-14
Sun11/16at MinnesotaW22-20
Sun11/23DenverW19-16
Mon*12/1at San FranciscoW21-17
Sun12/7at WashingtonW24-14
Sun12/14St. LouisW27-7
Sat12/20Green BayW55-24
Post Season
Sun1/4San FranciscoW49-3
Sun1/11WashingtonW17-0

Starting Lineups
DENVERNEW YORK
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
V.JohnsonWRA.TownsendLEL.ManuelWRG.MartinLE
D.StuddardLTG.KragenNTB.BensonLTJ.BurtNT
K.BishopLGR.JonesREB.ArdLGL.MarshallRE
B.BryanCJ.RyanLOLBB.OatesCC.BanksLOLB
M.CooperRGK.MecklenburgLILBC.GodfreyRGG.ReasonsLILB
K.LanierRTR.HunleyRILBK.NelsonRTH.CarsonRILB
C.KayTET.JacksonROLBM.BavaroTEL.TaylorROLB
S.WatsonWRL.WrightLCBS.RobinsonWRE.PattersonLCB
J.ElwayQBM.HardenRCBP.SimmsQBP.WilliamsRCB
S.WinderRBD.SmithSSJ.MorrisRBK.HillSS
G.WillhiteRBS.FoleyFSM.CarthonRBH.WelchFS

Substitutions
DENVERNEW YORK
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
G.Kubiak (QB)S.Fletcher (DE)J.Rutledge (QB)E.Dorsey (DE)
K.Bell (RB)F.Gilbert (DE)O.Anderson (RB)E.Howard (NT)
G.Lang (RB)T.Colorito (NT)T.Galbreath (RB)J.Sally (NT)
S.Sewell (RB)D.Comeaux (LB)L.Rouson (RB)A.Headen (LB)
J.Hackett (TE)R.Dennison (LB)Z.Mowatt (TE)B.Hunt (LB)
B.Micho (TE)K.Woodard (LB)B.Johnson (WR)T.Johnson (LB)
O.Mobley (TE)M.Haynes (CB)P.McConkey (WR)R.Jones (LB)
M.Jackson (WR)S.Wilson (CB)S.Miller (WR)M.Collins (CB)
C.Sampson (WR)T.Lilly (S)D.Johnson (G)T.Flynn (S)
M.Freeman (G)R.Robbins (S)W.Roberts (T)G.Lasker (S)
D.Remsberg (T) B.Johnston (C)
KICKERSKICKERS
R.Karlis (K)M.Horan (P)R.Allegre (K)S.Landeta (P)
DID NOT PLAYDID NOT PLAY

Team Statistics
DENNYG
FIRST DOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
23
5
16
2
24
10
13
1
3rd DOWN EFF.7/14-50%6/12-50%
4th DOWN EFF.0/0-0%1/2-50%
TOTAL NET YARDS
Total Offensive Plays
Average Gain
372
64
5.8
399
64
6.2
NET RUSH YARDS
Rushing Plays
Average Gain
52
19
2.7
136
38
3.6
NET PASS YARDS
Pass Att-Comp-INT
Tackled-Yds Lost
Gross Yards Passing
320
41-26-1
4-32
352
263
25-22-0
1-5
268
PUNTS-Yards
Average Dist.
Blocked
2-82
41.0
0
3-138
46.0
0
RETURN YARDS-Total
Punt Returns
Kickoff Returns
Interception Returns
93
1-9
5-84
0-0
71
1-25
4-53
1-(-7)
PENALTIES-yards 4-286-48
TOTAL TURNOVERS
Fumbles-Lost
Had Intercepted
1
2-0
1
0
0-0
0
TOUCHDOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Returns
2
1
1
0
5
2
3
0
EXTRA POINTS-Made
Kicking-Made/Att
Blocked
2
2/2
0
4
4/5
0
FIELD GOALS-Made/Att
Blocked
2/4
0
1/1
0
SAFETIES 01
TOTAL POINTS 2039
T.O.P.25:2134:39
Scoring Summary
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
DENVER10001020
NEW YORK72171339

1st Quarter
  • DEN - R.Karlis, 48 yard FG. 7-45, TOP 4:09 (4:09)
  • NYG - Z.Mowatt, 6 yard pass from P.Simms. R.Allegre kick. 9-78, TOP 5:24 (9:33)
  • DEN - J.Elway, 4 yard rush. R.Karlis kick. 6-58, TOP 3:21 (12:54)
2nd Quarter
  • NYG - G.Martin sacked J.Elway in endzone, safety. (12:14)
3rd Quarter
  • NYG - M.Bavaro, 13 yard pass from P.Simms. R.Allegre kick. 9-63, TOP 4:52 (4:52)
  • NYG - R.Allegre, 21 yard FG. 8-32, TOP 5:07 (11:06)
  • NYG - J.Morris, 1 yard rush. R.Allegre kick. 5-68, TOP 2:14 (14:36)
4th Quarter
  • NYG - P.McConkey, 6 yard pass from P.Simms. R.Allegre kick. 6-52, TOP 3:50 (4:04)
  • DEN - R.Karlis, 28 yard FG. 12-73, TOP 4:55 (8:59)
  • NYG - O.Anderson, 2 yard rush. R.Allegre kick failed. 5-46, TOP 2:43 (10:42)
  • DEN - V.Johnson, 47 pass from J.Elway. R.Karlis kick. 5-69, TOP 1:12 (12:54)

Simms' near-perfect performance led to an MVP award. (Andy Hayt/SI)

Individual Statistics
DENVER BRONCOSNEW YORK GIANTS
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSTDINTYDS/CMPSK/YD
J.Elway372259.53041113.83/26
G.Kubiak44100.0480012.01/6
TOTAL412863.43521113.54/32
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSTDINTYDS/CMPSK/YD
P.Simms252288.02683012.21/5
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
J.Elway6274.5101
G.Willhite4194.8110
S.Winder400.030
S.Sewell341.3120
G.Lang221.040
TOTAL19522.7121
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
J.Morris20673.4110
T.Galbreath4174.370
P.Simms3258.3220
L.Rouson3227.3180
M.Carthon341.320
J.Rutledge300.020
O.Anderson210.52t1
TOTAL381363.6221
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
V.Johnson512124.2541
G.Willhite5397.8110
S.Winder4348.5140
M.Jackson35117.0240
S.Watson25427.0310
C.Sampson22010.0110
O.Mobley2178.5110
S.Sewell2126.070
G.Lang144.040
TOTAL262529.7541
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
M.Bavaro45112.8171
J.Morris4205.0120
M.Carthon4133.370
S.Robinson36220.7360
L.Manuel34314.3170
P.McConkey25025.0441
L.Rouson12323.0230
Z.Mowatt166.06t1
TOTAL2226812.2443
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
M.Horan28241.04200
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
S.Landeta313846.05911
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
G.Willhite1199.090
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
P.McConkey112525.0250
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
K.Bell304816.0280
G.Lang203618.0230
TOTAL508416.8280
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
L.Rouson305618.7220
T.Flynn10-3-3.0-30
TOTAL405313.3220
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
TOTAL000.000
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
E.Patterson1-7-7.0-70
FUMBLES
DENVERFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
J.Elway110000000
K.Bell100000000
J.Hackett010000000
TOTAL220000000
NEW YORKFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
L.Marshall000010000

Defensive Statistics
(Tackles are not an official stat, hence some variation from source to source)
DENVER BRONCOSREGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYSSPECIAL TEAMSMISC

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
R.Hunley7180.00.00000 00000 0000
K.Woodard7070.52.50000 10000 0000
J.Ryan6060.00.00000 00000 0000
L.Wright6060.00.00000 00000 0000
D.Smith5050.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Jones4260.00.00000 00000 0000
S.Foley4040.00.00000 00000 0000
K.Mecklenburg4040.00.00000 00000 0000
M.Haynes3030.00.00000 00000 0000
S.Wilson3030.00.00000 00000 0000
A.Townsend2130.00.00000 00000 0000
F.Gilbert2020.52.50000 00000 0000
T.Lilly1120.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Robbins1010.00.00000 10000 0000
S.Fletcher1010.00.00000 00000 0000
G.Kragen0110.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Dennison0000.00.00000 10000 0000
B.Micho0000.00.00000 10000 0000
M.Harden0000.00.00000 10000 0000
K.Bell0000.00.00000 01000 0000
J.Hackett0000.00.00000 00010 0000
J.Elway0000.00.00000 00000 0001
TOTAL566621.05.00000 51010 0000
TKL = Tackle
PD = Pass Defense
AST = Assist
FF = Forced Fumble
COM = Combined
FR = Fumble Recovery
INT = Interception
BL = Blocked
NEW YORK GIANTSREGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYSSPECIAL TEAMSMISC

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
C.Banks100100.00.00000 00000 0000
H.Carson5050.00.00000 00000 0000
L.Marshall4042.013.00010 00000 0000
E.Patterson4040.00.01000 00000 0000
L.Taylor4040.00.00000 00000 0000
H.Welch4040.00.00000 00000 0000
M.Collins2130.00.00000 00000 0000
G.Reasons2020.00.00000 00000 0000
T.Johnson2020.00.00000 00000 0000
G.Martin2021.013.00000 00000 0000
G.Lasker2020.00.00000 00000 0000
K.Hill1010.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Jones1010.00.00000 00000 0000
E.Dorsey1011.06.00000 00000 0000
T.Flynn0000.00.00000 20000 0000
L.Rouson0000.00.00000 10000 0000
B.Hunt0000.00.00000 10000 0000
A.Headen0000.00.00000 10000 0000
TOTAL441454.032.01010 50000 0000

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