Giants versus 49ers: January 4, 1987
By Tom Brant
In advance of the Giants and 49ers playing their 37th game all-time against each other, GmenHq will be highlighting some of the posts from the week leading up to the NFC Championship game last year. This post details Giants versus 49ers from January 4, 1987. This post originally appeared on Gmenhq on Jan 18, 2012 at 8:30am
In anticipation of the New York Giants versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the NFC Championship, GmenHq will be reliving the Giants versus 49ers playoff history. Each day this week (Monday-Saturday will feature a new game).
San Francsisco 49ers at New York Giants, January 4, 1987, Giants Stadium
The 49ers returned to Giants stadium for the second consecutive year to play the Giants. The 49ers entered the game with a 10-5-1 record. The Giants entered the divisional round battle with a 14-2 record and had a bye in the first round of the Play-Offs. This would mark the third consecutive year the teams met and the second consecutive year at Giants Stadium.
The Giants took at 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Then the flood gates opened; The Giants outscored the 49ers 21-0 in the second quarter and then 21-0 in the third quarter. Both teams went scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Giants won in a blow out by a final score of 49-3. The margin of victory is the largest in the history of the Play-Off series and one of the biggest in Giants franchise history.
Phil Simms, playing his third Play-Off battle against the 49ers, paced the Giants with four touchdowns and 136 yards passing. Joe Morris dominated with 24 rushing attempts for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Bobby Johnson, Mark Barvo, Zeke Mowatt, and Phil McConkey all caught TD passes.
Joe Montana, playing in his fourth Play-Off battle against the Giants, was unable to finish the game. While in the game he only completed eight passes for 95 yards and two interceptions. Back up Jeff Kemp went a dismal 7-22 for 64 yards and an interception. On 20 rushing attempts the 49ers only 29 yards rushing. For the first time in the four game Play-Off history, The Giants were able to keep Dwight Clark in check. Clark posted three receptions for 52 yards.
The Giants dominating defensive performance was guided by L.T. who an interception returned for a TD, Pepper Johnson who had an interception, and Eric Dorsey who sacked Kemp. The Giants were back to full strength in their 3-4 with Taylor, Carson, Reasons, and Banks all starting at the LB spot. Pepper Johnson also saw significant minutes throughout the game.
The Giants would go onto beat the Washington Redskins in the conference championship. They went to the Superbowl and beat up on the Denver Broncos.
All-Time Play-Off Series: Tied 2-2 (Giants 0-2 at Candlestick and 2-0 at Giants Stadium)
NFC Championship Game: January 22, 2012 at 6pm