Top 10 plays in New York Giants Super Bowl history
By Henry Buggy
#6 – Carl Banks TFL On 3rd-and-Goal (Super Bowl XXI)
Only two defensive plays make this list, and Ron Dixon’s 97-yard kickoff return was not enough despite being New York’s only score in Super Bowl XXXV.
Unless it’s a pick-six, a strip-sack, or Malcolm Bulter’s goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX, it’s rare for one defensive play to determine the outcome of a game. Justin Tuck’s strip-sack before the half and Michael Strahan’s sack in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII are both worthy plays. So is George Martin’s safety sack on John Elway, but New York’s goal-line stand in Super Bowl XXI demoralized the Denver Broncos and their offensive line.
Giants linebackers Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, and Carl Banks all made key stops for Big Blue in the red zone. But Banks’ tackle for a loss on third down was the start of a momentum shift for New York. Here is a link to the video of the play.
Broncos kicker Rich Karlis would go on to miss a 23-yard field goal after opening the game with a Super Bowl record-tying 48-yard kick. Parcells and the Giants would get the second half started with Rutledge’s fourth-and-one conversion and Bavaro’s touchdown and the rest is history.