Super Bowl XXI- Superbowl XXI- Super Bowl 21 - New York Giants - Denver Broncos

Super Bowl XXI was an American football game played on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion following the 1986 regular season.

The National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants (17-2) defeated the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos (13-6), 39�20. The Giants scored 26 consecutive points during the second, third, and fourth quarters, and a Super Bowl record 30 points in the second half.

New York quarterback Phil Simms was named the Super Bowl MVP, finishing the game with 22 of 25 passes completed for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Simms also had 25 rushing yards on 3 carries. His 22 out of 25 (88%) completion percentage not only set a Super Bowl record, but also an NFL postseason record for 21 years.

The halftime show was a "Salute to Hollywood's 100th Anniversary" featuring Southern California high school drill teams and dancers.

Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil Simms was the first athlete to appear in a "I'm Going to Disney World!" television ad.

The postshow was supposed to feature the song "One Shining Moment" but due to postgame interviews taking so long, CBS never aired it. They ultimately changed the lyrics from "The ball is kicked" to "The ball is tipped", and now airs it at the end of their NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Coverage.

The NFC champion New York Giants captured their first NFL title since 1956 when they downed the AFC champion Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. The victory marked the NFC's fifth NFL title in the past six seasons.

The Broncos, behind the passing of quarterback John Elway, who was 13 of 20 for 187 yards in the first half, 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. New York drove 78 yards in nine plays on the next series to take a 7-3 lead on quarterback 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 capped by Elway's 4-yard touchdown run. The only scoring in the second period was the sack of Elway in the end zone by defensive end George Martin for a New York safety.

The Giants produced a key defensive stand early in the second quarter when 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.

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

New York took the lead for good on tight end Mark Bavaro's 13-yard touchdown catch 4:52 into the third period. The nine-play, 63-yard scoring drive included the successful conversion of a 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 for most consecutive completions (10) and highest completion percentage (88 percent on 22 completions in 25 attempts). He also passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns and was named the game's most valuable player.

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.

Date January 25, 1987
Stadium Rose Bowl Stadium
City Pasadena, California
MVP Phil Simms, Quarterback
Favorite Giants by 9�
National anthem Neil Diamond
Coin toss Willie Davis
Referee Jerry Markbreit
Halftime show "Salute to Hollywood's 100th Anniversary" with Southern California high school drill teams and dancers
Attendance 101,063
TV in the United States
Network CBS
Announcers Pat Summerall and John Madden
Nielsen Ratings 45.8
Market share 66
Cost of 30-second commercial US$600,000