1986 New York Giants Season: A Cinderella Story

The 1986 New York Giants season was one for the ages. After a dismal 3-13 record in 1985, the Giants rebounded to finish 14-2 and win Super Bowl XXI.

It was a remarkable turnaround that was fueled by several factors. First, the Giants had a young, talented team led by quarterback Phil Simms, running back Joe Morris, and wide receiver Mark Bavaro. Second, they had a new coaching staff led by Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.

Third, they played in a weak NFC East division. The Giants won their first eight games of the season, including a 17-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. They finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, winning the NFC East division title.

In the playoffs, the Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers 49-3 and the Washington Redskins 17-0 to advance to Super Bowl XXI. In the Super Bowl, the Giants faced the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos were led by quarterback John Elway and were heavily favored to win. However, the Giants defense dominated the game, sacking Elway five times and forcing three turnovers. The Giants won the game 39-20, capturing their first Super Bowl title since 1956.

The Giants' Cinderella Season

The Giants' 1986 season was a true Cinderella story. They were a team that was not expected to do much, but they ended up winning the Super Bowl. There were several factors that contributed to the Giants' success.

A Young, Talented Team

The Giants had a young, talented team led by quarterback Phil Simms, running back Joe Morris, and wide receiver Mark Bavaro. Simms was a Pro Bowl quarterback who was in his fourth season with the Giants. Morris was a rookie running back who led the NFL in rushing yards. Bavaro was a Pro Bowl tight end who was one of the best pass-catchers in the league.

In addition to these three stars, the Giants also had a number of other talented players, including wide receiver Stacy Robinson, linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and defensive end Leonard Marshall. This young, talented team was hungry to prove themselves, and they played with a lot of heart and determination.

A New Coaching Staff

The Giants also had a new coaching staff led by Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. Parcells was a tough, no-nonsense coach who was known for his ability to get the most out of his players. He was also a master strategist who was able to put his players in a position to succeed.

Parcells brought a new attitude to the Giants, and he quickly turned the team around. He demanded excellence from his players, and he held them accountable for their performance. Under Parcells' leadership, the Giants became one of the most disciplined and well-coached teams in the NFL.

A Weak NFC East Division

The Giants also benefited from playing in a weak NFC East division. The Cowboys were the only other team in the division with a winning record, and they finished the season with a 7-9 record.

The Giants were able to win the division by beating the Cowboys twice during the regular season. The Giants' success in the NFC East division was a major factor in their success in the playoffs. They were able to get a first-round bye, and they only had to play one road game in the playoffs.

The Giants' Playoff Run

The Giants' playoff run was one of the most impressive in NFL history. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers 49-3 and the Washington Redskins 17-0 to advance to Super Bowl XXI.

NFC Divisional Round: Giants 49, 49ers 3

The Giants faced the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. The 49ers were a perennial playoff team, and they were led by quarterback Joe Montana and wide receiver Jerry Rice.

However, the Giants defense dominated the game. They sacked Montana five times and forced three turnovers. The Giants also ran the ball effectively, and they were able to control the tempo of the game. The Giants won the game 49-3, and they advanced to the NFC Championship Game.

NFC Championship Game: Giants 17, Redskins 0

The Giants faced the Redskins in the NFC Championship Game. The Redskins were the defending Super Bowl champions, and they were led by quarterback Joe Theismann and running back John Riggins.

However, the Giants defense once again dominated the game. They sacked Theismann seven times and forced four turnovers. The Giants also ran the ball effectively, and they were able to control the tempo of the game. The Giants won the game 17-0, and they advanced to Super Bowl XXI.

Super Bowl XXI: Giants 39, Broncos 20

The Giants faced the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. The Broncos were led by quarterback John Elway and wide receiver Vance Johnson. Elway was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he was known for his ability to make big plays.

However, the Giants defense dominated the game. They sacked Elway five times and forced three turnovers. The Giants also ran the ball effectively, and they were able to control the tempo of the game. The Giants won the game 39-20, and they captured their first Super Bowl title since 1956.

Conclusion

The Giants' 1986 season was a remarkable turnaround. They were a team that was not expected to do much, but they ended up winning the Super Bowl. There were several factors that contributed to the Giants' success, including a young, talented team, a new coaching staff, and a weak NFC East division. The Giants' playoff run was one of the most impressive in NFL history, and they capped off the season with a victory in Super Bowl XXI.

1986 New York Giants Season: Key Statistics

The Giants' 1986 season was one of the most successful in franchise history. They finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, and they won Super Bowl XXI.

The Giants' success was due in large part to their outstanding play on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Giants were led by quarterback Phil Simms, running back Joe Morris, and wide receiver Mark Bavaro. Simms threw for 3,452 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Morris rushed for 1,527 yards and 14 touchdowns. Bavaro caught 66 passes for 809 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defensively, the Giants were led by linebacker Lawrence Taylor, defensive end Leonard Marshall, and cornerback Mark Haynes. Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks, while Marshall had 15 sacks and Haynes had 10 interceptions.

The Giants' success in 1986 was also due to their strong special teams play. Kicker Raul Allegre made 21 of 25 field goals, and punter Sean Landeta averaged 43.2 yards per punt.

Offensive Statistics

Defensive Statistics

Special Teams Statistics

1986 New York Giants Season: Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Giants' 1986 season was a success, but there were some mistakes that they made along the way. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid if you want to have a successful season:

• Don't underestimate your opponents. The Giants made the mistake of underestimating the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. They thought that they could just show up and win, but the Broncos played them tough. The Giants were lucky to win the game, and they could have easily lost if they had not played their best.
• Don't get complacent. The Giants started the season 8-0, and they thought that they were unbeatable. They started to take their opponents for granted, and