Giants/Patriots Super Bowl Appearances

SI Staff | Jan 30, 2012

Giants/Patriots Super Bowl Appearances

Super Bowl XX: Jan. 26, 1986

John Iacono/SI

On Sunday, two of the more storied franchises in NFL history will play one another in Super Bowl XLVI. Neither is a stranger to the big stage: the Giants have appeared in four Super Bowls (3-1) and the Patriots have played in six (3-3), with New York beating New England 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII. In anticipation of their matchup, SI.com looks back at both teams' previous Super Bowl appearances. The underdog Patriots were no match for the fearsome '85 Bears in Super Bowl XX, getting blown out 46-10 by the Monsters of the Midway. The 36-point loss is the second worst defeat in Super Bowl history.

Super Bowl XXI: Jan. 25, 1987

Andy Hayt/SI

Giants quarterback Phil Simms completed a Super Bowl record 88 percent of his passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns to lead New York over John Elway's Broncos 39-20. The Giants scored 30 second half points to run away from Denver, which had a 10-9 halftime lead.

Super Bowl XXV: Jan. 27, 1991

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images; Al Tielemans/SI

The Giants kept the high-powered Bills offense under wraps to win their second Super Bowl in five years, defeating Buffalo 20-19 after Bills kicker Scott Norwood sailed a 47-yard field goal wide right in the final seconds.

Super Bowl XXXI: Jan. 26, 1997

John Gaps III/AP

Drew Bledsoe and the Pats couldn't keep up with the Brett Favre-led Packers, falling to Green Bay 35-21. Bledsoe had more completions and threw for more yards than Favre, but he tossed four interceptions to Favre's zero.

Super Bowl XXXV: Jan. 28, 2001

John W. McDonough/SI

New York quarterback Kerry Collins had a nightmare game against Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense, going 15 of 39 for 112 yards and throwing four interceptions. The Giants offense gained just 152 total yards in the game.

Super Bowl XXXVI: Feb. 3, 2002

Bob Rosato, John Biever/SI

Led by first-year starter Tom Brady, the underdog Patriots upset the heavily favored Rams 20-17 to win the franchise's first title. Kicker Adam Vinatieri hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired to give New England the win.

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Feb. 1, 2004

Al Tielemans, John W. McDonough/SI

Vinatieri gave New England its second title in three seasons in 2004, kicking a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left to beat the upstart Panthers. Brady, then 26, was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.

Super Bowl XXXIX: Feb. 6, 2005

Al Tielemans/SI

The Patriots beat Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens and the Eagles 24-21 to win their second straight Super Bowl and their third in four years. Wide receiver Deion Branch won MVP for his 11-reception, 133-yard performance.

Super Bowl XLII: Feb. 3, 2008

Damian Strohmeyer, Al Tielemans/SI

The Giants pulled off an upset for the ages in 2008, getting the "helmet catch" from David Tyree and a last-minute, game-winning grab from Plaxico Burress to stun the previously undefeated Patriots 17-14. This classic should get a tiny bit of publicity in the buildup to Sunday's rematch.