No. 3: Giants’ Defense, Super Bowl XXV
The New York Giants’ defense of the 1980’s was one of the NFL’s best of all time. Under head coach Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, the 1990 Giants were perhaps the best of the bunch. In the NFC Playoffs, they allowed the Chicago Bears just three points and then throttled the powerful San Francisco 49ers, 15-13, to win the NFC Championship. In the process, they thwarted the 49ers’ “three-peat” and effectively ended the Joe Montana era in San Francisco.
The Super Bowl was played in Tampa at the outset of the Gulf War and got off to a roaring start by what may be the most spectacular rendition of the National Anthem performed by Whitney Houston. The Buffalo Bills were 6.5 point favorites over the Giants after putting up 44 and 51 points in their two playoff wins. The Giants knew they had to do something special to slow down Jim Kelly and his no-huddle offense.
Belichick had the perfect plan. He placed his linebackers in coverage to deal with the short passing game of the Bills. Sure, the receivers would be permitted to make the reception, but then they’d be greeted by a cohort of Giants’ bigger bodies. After awhile, the Bills wideouts were worn down and began dropping passes and at times were reluctant to go over the middle.
The Giants’ defense, combined with the ball-control plan on offense, was just enough to keep the Bills at bay and eke out a 20-19 win.