![](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYyODYwMjg4NzYzMTU3/001350431jpg.jpg)
Super Bowl Champions: 1986 Giants
- Author:
- Publish date:
Super Bowl Champions: 1986 Giants
Running back Joe Morris rushed for a career-high 1,516 yards during the season and contributed a touchdown to the Giants' Super Bowl victory.
Phil McConkey may have been a reserve receiver, returning punts and kickoffs for most of his career, but in Super Bowl XXI he caught a 44-yard pass on a flea flicker, along with a six-yard touchdown pass that had bounced off the fingertips of tight end Mark Bavaro.
Dec. 15, 1986 SI Cover.
Linebacker Carl Banks and the Giants' smash-mouth defense held the Broncos to 52 yards on the ground in Super Bowl XXI, half of which came from John Elway.
Lawrence Taylor finished the season with a career-high 20.5 sacks and was the centerpiece of a stifling 3-4 defense known as "Big Blue" that allowed just three points in the Giants' first two playoff games.
Jan. 26, 1987 SI Cover.
Phil Simms' performance in Super Bowl XXI could be considered the best ever by a quarterback, with 22 of 25 passes completed for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Simms set a Super Bowl record for accuracy and passer rating (158.3).
Feb. 2, 1987 SI Cover.
After winning only three games in his first season as head coach, Bill Parcells brought the Giants their first championship three years later with a 39-20 victory over Denver in Super Bowl XXI.