The club's first Super Bowl championship, an all-time final record of 17-2, as well as a club record 12 straight victories, made this year the greatest in team history. The Giants also set a record for all-time composite margin of victory in the playoffs, outscoring three opponents 105-23, for an 82- point domination, the most ever in NFL playoff history. Phil Simms was the MVP of the 39-20 Super Bowl victory over Denver after completing a playoff record 88% of his passes (22-25). Lawrence Taylor was named the league's MVP, Joe Morris broke his own club rushing record with 1,516 yards, and eight players- Taylor, Morris, Harry Carson, Leonard Marshall, Jim Burt, Brad Benson, Mark Bavaro and Sean Landeta were named to the Pro Bowl. Coach Bill Parcells was a unanimous NFL Coach of the Year in all the national polls, the Giants were 10-0 at home, including regular season and the two playoff games, and the team set attendance records at home and on the road.
The 1986 season started with a 31-28 loss at Dallas, but the Giants would only lose one game the rest of the season. The team was dominant from start to finish, including two wins against the 12-4 Redskins. The Giants had the second ranked defense in the league, allowing just 236 points and 4757 yards a game, behind only the Chicago Bears. Lawrence Taylor finished with 20.5 sacks, complimented by Leonard Marshall's 12. Finishing at 14-2, the Giants earned a first round bye, and ended up playing both NFC playoff games on their home field.
The Giants dominance carried into the postseason, beating the 49ers, Redskins, and Broncos in convincing fashion. The playoff run started against the 10-5-1, NFC West division winning San Francisco 49ers. Phil Simms finished with four touchdown passes, and Joe Morris ran for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground to give the Giants a 49-3 win. The telling play came on defense, when Jim Burt hit Joe Montana, leading to a Lawrence Taylor 34 yard interception return for a touchdown.
The Giants hosted the Redskins in the 1986 NFC Championship game, shutting out their NFC east rival 17-0. Phil Simms threw a touchdown pass to Lionel Manuel from 11 yards away and Joe Morris ran for 87 yards and a 1 yard touchdown. The Giants defense held Washington to 190 yards of offense, and Jay Schroeder to 20-50 passing for only 195 yards and an interception.
The Giants road into Super Bowl 21 in Pasadena, California red hot but trailed the Broncos at halftime 10-9. Phil Simms took control of the second half and finished with a NFL record 22-25 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Morris added 67 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Mark Bavaro, Phil McConkey, and Zeke Mowatt all caught touchdown passes as the Giants outscored the Broncos 30-10 in the 2nd half on their way to a 39-20 Super Bowl victory.
