Bavaro Carries Giants (and Seven 49ers) to Victory: 25 Years Ago This Week

No matter how old you are, or how long you have liked the NFL, you have seen the famous play where Mark Bavaro catches a short pass over the middle from Phil Simms and bounces off, knocks down, and carries opposing players down the field.  It was a signature moment for a signature season in 1986 .    Click here to see the play..Bavaro Drags 49ers

Mark Bavaro was the original tough guy of the New York Giants.  He was a true, blue collar player who worked hard everyday, and in his own words said he did it in honor of the fans.  Bavaro made many big catches in his injury shortened career, but this one in San Francisco on a Monday Night awoke the entire offense for the rest of the regular season and on to a Super Bowl victory.  With the Giants trailing 17-0 at halftime, and having no success on the ground, ( As a matter of fact the Giants rushed for a total of 13 yards on 19 carries that night. ) Phil Simms took over in the second half and never looked back.  After the amazing Bavaro play, Simms hit Joe Morris for a 17 yard TD, followed that with a 34 yard TD pass to Stacy Robinson, and then hit Robinson again at the one to set up an Otis Anderson TD run….All in the third quarter.  The Giants had erased the 17 point deficit, and took the lead 21-17. From there the defense took their cue, and shut down Joe Montana and the 49ers.

This play would prove to be the jumping off point for an offense that had struggled mightily all year.  Giants fans knew that if their defense could ever be handed a lead in games, there would be no stopping this team.  So in three straight weeks Giants fans were treated to 4th and 17, George Martin’s interception and return vs. Elway, and Mark Bavaro carrying his team, and most of the opposition, to victory. Quite a trip!  The now 11-2 Giants faced a road trip to Washington and the 11-2 Redskins for a Pearl Harbor Day showdown for all the marbles.