and my old addled mind isn't helping me pick. If I had to choose, it would probably be the Giants vs. Washington game that was played the same night the Mets were playing in the World Series. So weird to have cheers at odd times during the game. Most everyone in the crowd was also following the World Series. Oh, yeah, the Giants won and Joe Morris ran all over the skins. A very good night.
...because nothing from the regular season tops that first Super Bowl win or the 2 NFC Playoff wins.
My favorite was the Monday Night win against the Niners. A huge win and a tremendous comeback - really, after that first half in San Francisco, the Giants never looked back, picking up steam as they rolled through their last month.
Down 17-0 in that game until THIS changed the momentum:
most vividly is the Conference Championship game. The winds. And that defense. Jesus. Even Madden was ready to proclaim them the greatest after that...
The 39-20 win over the Broncos, and its not close, it made everything else relevant, without that win then what would be the big deal about any of it. It also gave us our first super bowl, I couldn't imagine the Giants losing that game I admit, but then again it was the Giants we were talking about, they had not been a winner in such a long time. So it was pure joy to finally win it all.
The three YA Title seasons were just so frustrating for a young kid who didn't see them win it in 1956, I was too young then. Once they won that game, then you look back and see the comeback in Frisco, the dismantling of the Redskins in Washington, the 4th and 17 game against the Vikings and then they become classic memories, also we can't forget one of the greatest plays in Giants history, the 90 yard interception return by George Martin in the home win against the broncos that very season.
I can't pick just one, so I'll pick two that immediately jumped to mind when I read the thread title.
The San Francisco game where the Giants went down 17 - 0, then clawed back into the game with Bavaro's amazing catch and run carrying almost the entire 49ers' defense on his back. The best part of it was that I was watching this game in my dorm suite at college. An asshole on my floor talked smack about the Giants losing and not having a chance to come back against San Fran. I made him eat a lot of crow when the Giants won the game.
The other was the very last game of the season against Green Bay. It was a total blow out. We dominated the Packers all day, but the team relaxed a bit knowing they were in the playoffs and were beating the Packers so soundly that the Packers scored a couple of quick touchdowns making it a game. Parcells lit into his team during halftime for letting up. At the beginning of the 2nd half, the G-Men just tore apart the Packers for a final score of 55 to 24. My favorite memory of that game was the blocked punt and return for a touchdown by the backup safety Flynn - can't remember his first name. There was a replay filming of the huge smile on his face when he blocked the punt and reached behind himself to catch the ball and then run probably 30 or 40 yards for the TD. I can still see his huge smile in my head. It was glorious.
Why? Before that game I think we all thought the Giants would win the super bowl. After that game we knew. Or at least I did. The image of LT bending around the edge all fucking day...
Monday night in SF. Down 17-0, asshole niner fans all giddy
and the Giants come back in the 2nd half and kick the snot out of them, with Bavaro punctuating their physical dominance.
And they had to score 1 TD TWICE because the refs fucked Stacy Robinson out of a TD
The SB against Denver was great obviously, but I really felt like that was a fait accompli going in after the way they completely dismantled the Niners and Redskins in the playoffs. I had no doubt that they would win.
"we knew we were going to win the Super Bowl" crew coming from? The team never won anything and the momentum didn't really start rolling until late. Meanwhile, a 14-2 Bears team had given up far less points than the Giants had.
"we knew we were going to win the Super Bowl" crew coming from? The team never won anything and the momentum didn't really start rolling until late. Meanwhile, a 14-2 Bears team had given up far less points than the Giants had.
Yeah - we didn't know jack - no way we were going to beat the freakin' 49'ers... then, no way we were going to beat that Washington team 3 times in the same year?!
Really - after the Washington game, I knew they would roll Denver.
"we knew we were going to win the Super Bowl" crew coming from? The team never won anything and the momentum didn't really start rolling until late. Meanwhile, a 14-2 Bears team had given up far less points than the Giants had.
I am right here. If you were around Rutherford in early December of 86 you would have heard me saying the Giants will win it all and it won't even be close. I was convinced once they beat the Skins in round 2.
And please stop with the Bears nonsense. Go read the archives as this nonsense about the Bears has been obliterated time and time again. That bears team was nowhere near the 85 unit. The Giants would have destroyed them. Their offense sucked. Not hyperbole. It totally fucking sucked. They literally had the easiest schedule of all time. Look it up. Bears couldn't beat the Skins and the Giants killed the Skins 3 times. What does that tell you.
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
so while I had to endure some losing and pain I didn't go through the 70s like the older fans had. I had already witnessed 3 playoff seasons prior to 86. I wasn't jaded at all and back then when a team got rolling and was universally considered the best team going, they pretty much always won the super bowl. I had no doubts. I was nearly convinced after 4th and 17.
And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
That's just dumb as the rosters turned over so much it wasn't even the same teams. Everybody worth their salt knew the Giants offense didn't match up well with the Bears defense. It was the mobile Jay Schroder who won that playoff game. Who knows what would have happened if the Giants and Bears met and only a select few fanatics turned a blind eye to the 14-2 Bears who, oh by the way were the defending champs, gave up only 187 points and did win 14 games. It's ridiculous to just think that was layup considering the Giants offense got the shiat knocked out of them in 85 and 87.
So many those from that year...George Martin int vs Elway and LT tackling the poor old man in end zone after several times trying to get LT to take it in for him...2nd game of season vs SD really fought through that game. Wash game at RFK..
And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
That's just dumb as the rosters turned over so much it wasn't even the same teams. Everybody worth their salt knew the Giants offense didn't match up well with the Bears defense. It was the mobile Jay Schroder who won that playoff game. Who knows what would have happened if the Giants and Bears met and only a select few fanatics turned a blind eye to the 14-2 Bears who, oh by the way were the defending champs, gave up only 187 points and did win 14 games. It's ridiculous to just think that was layup considering the Giants offense got the shiat knocked out of them in 85 and 87.
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
what happened in 1985 means absolutely nothing. NOTHING. The 86 Giants were light years better than the 85 team and the 86 Bears were a lot worse than the 85 team.
Stop. It's a disgrace to give that 86 Bears team any shot at all at beating a good football team let along a historically great team. And the 86 Giants were in fact historically great. Of course anything can happen. But talking in the logical sense this scary scenario of yours was a bigger long shot than you make it out to me. It wasn't happening. The Giants would have embarrassed the Bears offense.
because every time someone brings up 1986 someone has to bring up the big bad bears of that season. It's a disservice, no, it's a disgrace to that 86 Giants team to even bring up the remote possibility that they could beaten down the stretch that season. That to me tells me some didn't appreciate how good that team really was. Not just great...historically great.
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
I feel it's my duty and calling in life to squash any of this crap talk about the 86 Bears and squash it fast and swiftly. I won't let it even fester!
The '86 season and '87 Super Bowl was the best Giant team I've seen (I go back to '68 or so).
As for the best win that season. There's just nothing that will ever be better for me than winning on the road in Washington. And that win that year was simply great. Actually, great times 10. Can't think of a word would describe it better.
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
uh, the '86 Bears lost AT HOME to the Redskins in the playoffs
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
Thanks for making my point for me. Much like the Saints weren't a good matchup for the Giants in 2011 the Redskins weren't a good matchup for the Bears in 86.
RE: uh, the '86 Bears lost AT HOME to the Redskins in the playoffs
not only lost, but were embarrassed 27-13. Skins had the ball for 33:44, ran for 134 yards.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
Apology accepted.
RE: RE: and you know why I fight this good fight ?
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
Thanks for making my point for me. Much like the Saints weren't a good matchup for the Giants in 2011 the Redskins weren't a good matchup for the Bears in 86.
Well...no you're wrong. Again.
RE: RE: uh, the '86 Bears lost AT HOME to the Redskins in the playoffs
not only lost, but were embarrassed 27-13. Skins had the ball for 33:44, ran for 134 yards.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
How old are you? Were you watching football back then? I'm not trying to be a wise ass there's nothing wrong with being a younger fan but honestly it sounds like you weren't really watching football that season. If you were I stand corrected.
that's when I really started to believe we were going to win the SB. We were winning, we had the talent, it was a 'magic' play. Now I knew We had everything.
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
...because nothing from the regular season tops that first Super Bowl win or the 2 NFC Playoff wins.
My favorite was the Monday Night win against the Niners. A huge win and a tremendous comeback - really, after that first half in San Francisco, the Giants never looked back, picking up steam as they rolled through their last month.
Down 17-0 in that game until THIS changed the momentum:
HOW GIANTS MIRED, THEN BURIED, 49ERS - ( New Window )
Another vote for Monday night in SF for me. Although Minn 4th and 17 is a close second.
but it's just flat out unfair to bring up other seasons and then dismiss what the Giants and Bears both did beyond 86. You attribute far too much to the 1987 regular season opener that saw a hungover sleep walking Giants team stumble against the home Bears. We aren't talking about the 87 season. We are talking about the 86 season. And if you were truly paying attention that season you'd know that the 86 Bears weren't any good while the 86 Giants, down the stretch, were completely dominant.
And to steal an arrogant pompous tone from Mike Francessa --I was at the week 16 finale against the PAckers when nearly every giants fan in the house was screaming we want the Bears. The fans weren't worried at all.
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
Stumbled? I'll stumble to 14-2 any day
I read 85 so my bad. I knew who at QB in 86.
Every Giants fan knows that team had issues in 86 and even Simms was quoted as saying "it was rough". The media was all over him, the offense struggled and that team had issues in multiple games. It's funny how some forget about 1986 and are so quickly to praise 14-2 yet somehow dismiss the 14-2 Bears.
I was at the week 16 finale against the PAckers when nearly every giants fan in the house was screaming we want the Bears. The fans weren't worried at all.
We all wanted the Bears for payback. The Giants already beat the Skins twice, beat the 49ers twice, finally beat Dallas. Besides winning the bowl, all that was left was to avenge the 85 Bears.
Giants vs Bears in the mid 80's. Those games were won on turnovers and mistakes.
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
Stumbled? I'll stumble to 14-2 any day
I read 85 so my bad. I knew who at QB in 86.
Every Giants fan knows that team had issues in 86 and even Simms was quoted as saying "it was rough". The media was all over him, the offense struggled and that team had issues in multiple games. It's funny how some forget about 1986 and are so quickly to praise 14-2 yet somehow dismiss the 14-2 Bears.
Again, you keep missing the point. The perception of the Giants from September, October was positive if not a little flawed and some concern--but still, positive with high upside. By the time late December rolled around all but a choice few were buzzing that the Giants could not be beat. Back then the NFL was different. I get it, some older fans were still terrified or jaded but most were pretty damn confident--even brash.
before the ink was even dry on the regular season. Bavaro was the best TE in football. The defense was building to the stuff of legend. Once they beat the Skins the second time and wrapped up the division only the most cynical and jaded of fans was downright giddy. The offense was humming and the D was dominant.
The perception changed from September to December. The offense did struggle early on.
not only lost, but were embarrassed 27-13. Skins had the ball for 33:44, ran for 134 yards.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
A) I said I felt they would win the SB AFTER they beat the 49ers and Skins IN THE PLAYOFFS
B) the Bears were in transition defensively, Buddy Ryan left, Vince Tobin became def co and did not run the 46 anymore. They were MUCH easier to run on that year, as the Skins proved.
C) Jim McMahon PLAYED JUST 6 GAMES in 1986, Doug Flutie was the QB by the time the playoffs came and the team was in open revolt against Ditka for bringing him in
D) the great Walter Payton was clearly finished and retired after the season, doubly hurting their offense because Neal Anderson wasn't ready yet.
E) the Giants were embarrassed in the 1987 opener on Monday night, clearly not ready to play, suffering SB hangover, Toast Patterson on an actual hangover and the strike looming, but they were NOT embarrassed in the 1985 playoff game. The 21-0 score was not indicative of how tough that game was. In the first half, Bobby Johnson dropped a perfect TD pass from Simms, Schubert kicked the ball straight as an arrow off the hash mark into the goal post rather than angling it in, and the Landeta whiff gave the Bears 7 cheap points: a 17 point swing. Mistake prone, YES, uncompetitive, DEFINITELY NOT.
LEARN HOW TO READ AND GET YOUR FUCKING FACTS STRAIGHT. You run your mouth yet you don't even know who played QB for the Bears nor any of the circumstances surrounding them that season.
and you still haven't answered whether if you were old enough
that's a pretty big deal. ON paper, sure the Bears looked like a legit foe. IN December of 1986 the thought of any team let alone a limp dick offensive team like the Bears coming into the meadowlands and even making things close was laughable. It wasn't happening. Matchups my ass. The Giants would have broken that Bears offense in half. They could have punted every time they got the ball and still won the game by 10.
but he wasn't even allowed to be Doug Flutie in that Bears offense. and he was a baby. He wasn't the same Doug Flutie that made the NFL look foolish years later. He was a raw inexperienced kid shackled in Ditka's offense.
RE: RE: RE: uh, the '86 Bears lost AT HOME to the Redskins in the playoffs
LEARN HOW TO READ AND GET YOUR FUCKING FACTS STRAIGHT. You run your mouth yet you don't even know who played QB for the Bears nor any of the circumstances surrounding them that season.
Clean up your act. I said I read it wrong and I know who played QB. Calm down, my facts are straight.
Yes there were many low scoring games early on, but that D didn't need the points because they didn't give up any, and the O didn't give up many either. I mean look at the entries so far, can you name another team in another year that had so many defining plays / games?
Magic!!! And long overdue!!!
but he wasn't even allowed to be Doug Flutie in that Bears offense. and he was a baby. He wasn't the same Doug Flutie that made the NFL look foolish years later. He was a raw inexperienced kid shackled in Ditka's offense.
yes. that and Payton being a shell of himself made it tough for him.
that's when I really started to believe we were going to win the SB. We were winning, we had the talent, it was a 'magic' play. Now I knew We had everything.
Same here (although I was still worried about the bears).
having now read all the Bear stuff, there was a feeling of inevitability that surrounded the 86 team that grew as the season progressed. As mentioned for me it was the Viking game that sealed it.
The 85 loss to the Bears was in many ways seen as a stepping stone as we entered the 86 season - we played the best team better than anyone. Delusional or not, I know many Giant fans felt the weather in that game took away our chances of victory. at the very least it showed we belonged among the leagues elite. Every Giant fan saw 86 as the best chance we had in a generation, in part because of how we played in 85.
I have no doubt we would have crushed the bears in the Playoffs had we met in 86. Our defense had eclipsed them by that point, Bears ran up a gaudy record against the shitty central, barely beating the eagles at home that year, losing to the Skins at home in the playoffs.
RE: and you still haven't answered whether if you were old enough
that's a pretty big deal. ON paper, sure the Bears looked like a legit foe. IN December of 1986 the thought of any team let alone a limp dick offensive team like the Bears coming into the meadowlands and even making things close was laughable. It wasn't happening. Matchups my ass. The Giants would have broken that Bears offense in half. They could have punted every time they got the ball and still won the game by 10.
To the winner goes the spoils so we can say anything. If you said the Giants would win 44-0 that game we might not agree. I looked on the field, not on paper. I see a game ruled by defense and Meadowlands wind which could cause turnovers. Neither offense would likely move. It would likely be turnovers with both teams stacking the box.
It's too bad they didn't meet. I think the Giants would have won but that game would be much more physical than that Skins game IMO. Speaking of matchups, flash back a year earlier, I think the Bears would have defeated the Dolphins in the Bowl yet another very interesting matchup which didn't happen.
Haven't read all the posts so I'm sure this isn't unique
It was 3 AM and I was watching it in a remote location in Israel in one of those TV trucks that was relaying the Armed Forces signal. I drove 3 hours from Jerusalem with a fellow Giants fan and there were about four other Israelis who had worked in silicon valley and were rooting for the 49ers in the TV truck.
I remember when the light bulb turned on during the game and I thought "My God, we may win this game.' For someone who was a die-hard fan throughout the late 60s and the 70s etc. this was truly a paradigm shift.
Yes there were many low scoring games early on, but that D didn't need the points because they didn't give up any, and the O didn't give up many either. I mean look at the entries so far, can you name another team in another year that had so many defining plays / games?
Magic!!! And long overdue!!!
It was certainly magical and long overdue. Can I name another year that had so many defining moments? For just the Giants? Probably not. The momentum took off in December, no doubt, but I don't believe most fans just wiped away the ghosts of despair until pretty late being this team displayed some similar issues through Nov that it had during previous years.
Winning in Dallas, in Green Bay, against New England the way they did, erases any and all criticisms.
There's no "But they didn't play the Bears!" for the 07' team.
And FWIW, I witnessed that 86' team in person, watched them disassemble Denver in that Super Bowl. I've watched a lot of football in my life, a lot of games. The Ditka Bears were an epic team, but were really one-dimensional on offense. 86 was NOT 85 - the Bears would have suffered a fate similar to Washington, I believe. Nobody could do anything against the Giant defense in that playoff run.
By November,the offense started to score points much easier, they were beating the best teams in both Conferences, there were some epic plays/battles and they were falling in our favor.
It was the Giants year and you could tell well before playoffs...
the questions on the book, see "BBI Store - Books"...it's the first book listed..."Big Blue Wrecking Crew: Smashmouth Football, a Little Bit of Crazy, and the '86 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants"
I have no idea if it is any good. Not yet released.
Winning in Dallas, in Green Bay, against New England the way they did, erases any and all criticisms.
There's no "But they didn't play the Bears!" for the 07' team.
And FWIW, I witnessed that 86' team in person, watched them disassemble Denver in that Super Bowl. I've watched a lot of football in my life, a lot of games. The Ditka Bears were an epic team, but were really one-dimensional on offense. 86 was NOT 85 - the Bears would have suffered a fate similar to Washington, I believe. Nobody could do anything against the Giant defense in that playoff run.
What are you talking about "what ifs"? Whether they did or didn't play bears (86) it didn't matter..no one was beating the 86 giants ...period
... there are many great highlights for me, most mentioned.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
And in the second half of the Super Bowl against the Broncos,
when the Giants started to roll, my sister was sitting on the floor across the room from the TV, leaning against the couch. Dad and I decided that she would be forbidden from moving an inch - even though she had to go to the bathroom and complained a LOT - until the game was in the books. She was a good sport and, clearly, helped win the game.
My sisters boyfriend was a 49er fan who talked tons of shit to me. He locked himself in his room an would not answer any of my calls. Montana leaves stadium on a stretcher after Burt stand up bench presses him like a rag doll. I HATED the Niners. Only thing better was Marshall nearly killing Montana in 1990. I still dream about both hits :)
My sisters boyfriend was a 49er fan who talked tons of shit to me. He locked himself in his room an would not answer any of my calls. Montana leaves stadium on a stretcher after Burt stand up bench presses him like a rag doll. I HATED the Niners. Only thing better was Marshall nearly killing Montana in 1990. I still dream about both hits :)
me too. hated those pricks.
RE: RE: Overanalyzing situation. I stand by my comment
Buddy Ryan and Jim McMahon weren't part of that team (the former left to coach the Green Slime and the latter was out due to being body slammed WWF style after the end of a play by the Green Bay DE whose name escapes me at the moment--Charles something or other).
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
Buddy Ryan and Jim McMahon weren't part of that team (the former left to coach the Green Slime and the latter was out due to being body slammed WWF style after the end of a play by the Green Bay DE whose name escapes me at the moment--Charles something or other).
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
Charles "Too Mean" Martin. And he had his hit list towel on too.
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
Buddy Ryan and Jim McMahon weren't part of that team (the former left to coach the Green Slime and the latter was out due to being body slammed WWF style after the end of a play by the Green Bay DE whose name escapes me at the moment--Charles something or other).
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
Thanks for catching that Optimus, poor editing on my part :-). How are you?
Payton started off '86 like his old self, but clearly faded as the season progressed.
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
Maybe, but I think few remember the wind and how it effected the Giants too. We can knock the Bears offense all day yet a lesser defense than the Bears, meaning the Skins, held the Giants to only 12 first downs. The Giants did lose the turnover battle and did fumble four times while Simms had only 7 completions. Just saying, not sure it would have been the layup some predict.
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
Maybe, but I think few remember the wind and how it effected the Giants too. We can knock the Bears offense all day yet a lesser defense than the Bears, meaning the Skins, held the Giants to only 12 first downs. The Giants did lose the turnover battle and did fumble four times while Simms had only 7 completions. Just saying, not sure it would have been the layup some predict.
The Giants jumped out to a 10-0 lead with the wind. Once they had a 2 score lead, Parcells played it safe because he knew that George Rogers couldn't run on his defense. And Schroeder had come apart in the 2nd game at RFK when he threw 6 INTs. The Skins pretty much abandoned the run and had him throw near every down. The few times he had open men, they dropped the ball. Gary Clark dropped 2 big passes. When the Giants went up 17-0 in the 2nd quarter, the Giants really shut it down, since the only way the Redskins would get back in it was if they made a mistake.
Walter Payton would not have done anything against the 1986 Giants defense. And Flutie would likely have done even worse than Schroeder did, since Schroeder actually had weapons to throw to. Unless the Bears defense would have turned a fumble into a score, that Bears offense, on the road, would have been killed. The Bears offense, with McMahon out, scored less than 17 points in 4 of their final 6 games, against such noted competition as Atlanta, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. I don't see it, I think the Bears were spared a beat down by the Giants in bowing out to Washington.
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
... there are many great highlights for me, most mentioned.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
It wasn't a game, it was a celebration!!! Everyone KNEW they were going to win before the kickoff! The score may not seem impressive, but it was a blowout. Washington did nothing. They could've played 10 OTs and Washington still would not have scored. The offense spent most of the game running out the clock. They weren't going to score 49 points in that game because of the winds and Washington was a better team than SF. The fans were celebrating an hour before kick off.
I also agree, many highlights, but this game was so much bigger than any of the others.
... there are many great highlights for me, most mentioned.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
It wasn't a game, it was a celebration!!! Everyone KNEW they were going to win before the kickoff! The score may not seem impressive, but it was a blowout. Washington did nothing. They could've played 10 OTs and Washington still would not have scored. The offense spent most of the game running out the clock. They weren't going to score 49 points in that game because of the winds and Washington was a better team than SF. The fans were celebrating an hour before kick off.
I also agree, many highlights, but this game was so much bigger than any of the others.
I was 12 I guess that season, so my parents sent me to bed at halftime down 17-0 vs SF that Monday night game. Still remember my Dad waking me up early the next morning to tell me all about the Giants comeback win.
So many of the kids in school had jumped on the 49ers bandwagon by 86 (at least those who hadn't jumped on the Cowboys or Bears bandwagon,).
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
The 1985 Bears had the #1 rated defense, which was to no one's surprise. But they also had the #2 overall rated offense (including the #1 rushing offense) in the NFL. Add in 2 shutouts at Soldier Field in the playoffs and the destruction over the Patriots sticks in everyone's mind. It was only the Dolphins who were able to expose the Buddy Ryan blitzing 46 defense, but that's because they had Marino. The real shame was that the Patriots somehow beat Miami in the AFC Championship and ruined what would have been a great Super Bowl matchup. Kind of like when the Falcons got in the Vikings way in 1998 and we could have seen them take on the Broncos.
Close second 4th and 17 ...
The Championship we beat the living piss out of
Jay Shrader <sp> the Confetti flying was awesome ..
The Great George Martin one of the Best Football Person Ever
The Hatred for the Niners and Lott ..
All the adversity Simms overcame with LT and Parcells ..
Finally the Big One
Super Bowl was Banks at his best and LT had the Speed to
Mirror Elway ..
He and I always got along great, till that day. He was a bit suspicious of me after that.
A couple of years later his suspicions were confirmed. He tried to recruit me into his Amway business. When I didn't go for it, he didn't speak to me for a couple of years.
We were living in the Bay Area at the time and it sweet wearing my Giants jacket to school the next day!
That game for me too. I was working in a Berkeley CA restaurant where I had formerly been the head chef, and the chef and cook who replaced me were diehard 9ers fans. I was off that night watching the game and they called me at home from work (must've been following on radio) to rib me during halftime. I was so confident in the Giants'ability to come back (I thought they were whipping the 9ers in the trenches and eventually that would show up in the score) I bet them $10 bucks each on the spot, being down 17-0, and got 2-1 odds from them.
The bastards never paid out. And also the restaurant stopped answering their phone at some point during the 2nd half!
it was the regular season game against the Redskins in Washington. We went in there and kicked the crap out of them on their home turf. LT was a monster that day, and that's when I really started to believe that we had a shot.
Oh, and the Minnesota 4th-and-17 game is right up there, too.
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
The 1985 Bears had the #1 rated defense, which was to no one's surprise. But they also had the #2 overall rated offense (including the #1 rushing offense) in the NFL. Add in 2 shutouts at Soldier Field in the playoffs and the destruction over the Patriots sticks in everyone's mind. It was only the Dolphins who were able to expose the Buddy Ryan blitzing 46 defense, but that's because they had Marino. The real shame was that the Patriots somehow beat Miami in the AFC Championship and ruined what would have been a great Super Bowl matchup. Kind of like when the Falcons got in the Vikings way in 1998 and we could have seen them take on the Broncos.
Didn't know they had the #2 offense.
Yes, it's a shame we didn't see Bears/Dolphins SB.
the blowout of the friggin 49'ers in the playoffs.
That was sweet!
The most exhilarating was obviously the SB victory, first one!
As far as the '85 Bears, after their SB victory over the Pats,
one of their issues is they became fat cats. Ditka with his
restaurants and wines, players with book deals and more.
That is another reason for 'no staying power'.
My favorite was the Monday Night win against the Niners. A huge win and a tremendous comeback - really, after that first half in San Francisco, the Giants never looked back, picking up steam as they rolled through their last month.
Down 17-0 in that game until THIS changed the momentum:
HOW GIANTS MIRED, THEN BURIED, 49ERS - ( New Window )
Ditto.
And that 4 game stretch where they really started rolling - Minnesota, Denver, San Fran and then the game I noted versus Skins.
You knew we were going to win Superbowl.
The three YA Title seasons were just so frustrating for a young kid who didn't see them win it in 1956, I was too young then. Once they won that game, then you look back and see the comeback in Frisco, the dismantling of the Redskins in Washington, the 4th and 17 game against the Vikings and then they become classic memories, also we can't forget one of the greatest plays in Giants history, the 90 yard interception return by George Martin in the home win against the broncos that very season.
The San Francisco game where the Giants went down 17 - 0, then clawed back into the game with Bavaro's amazing catch and run carrying almost the entire 49ers' defense on his back. The best part of it was that I was watching this game in my dorm suite at college. An asshole on my floor talked smack about the Giants losing and not having a chance to come back against San Fran. I made him eat a lot of crow when the Giants won the game.
The other was the very last game of the season against Green Bay. It was a total blow out. We dominated the Packers all day, but the team relaxed a bit knowing they were in the playoffs and were beating the Packers so soundly that the Packers scored a couple of quick touchdowns making it a game. Parcells lit into his team during halftime for letting up. At the beginning of the 2nd half, the G-Men just tore apart the Packers for a final score of 55 to 24. My favorite memory of that game was the blocked punt and return for a touchdown by the backup safety Flynn - can't remember his first name. There was a replay filming of the huge smile on his face when he blocked the punt and reached behind himself to catch the ball and then run probably 30 or 40 yards for the TD. I can still see his huge smile in my head. It was glorious.
And they had to score 1 TD TWICE because the refs fucked Stacy Robinson out of a TD
The SB against Denver was great obviously, but I really felt like that was a fait accompli going in after the way they completely dismantled the Niners and Redskins in the playoffs. I had no doubt that they would win.
Remember the days when only ONE player on the entire team would be lost for the season to injury?
Really - after the Washington game, I knew they would roll Denver.
I am right here. If you were around Rutherford in early December of 86 you would have heard me saying the Giants will win it all and it won't even be close. I was convinced once they beat the Skins in round 2.
And please stop with the Bears nonsense. Go read the archives as this nonsense about the Bears has been obliterated time and time again. That bears team was nowhere near the 85 unit. The Giants would have destroyed them. Their offense sucked. Not hyperbole. It totally fucking sucked. They literally had the easiest schedule of all time. Look it up. Bears couldn't beat the Skins and the Giants killed the Skins 3 times. What does that tell you.
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
That's just dumb as the rosters turned over so much it wasn't even the same teams. Everybody worth their salt knew the Giants offense didn't match up well with the Bears defense. It was the mobile Jay Schroder who won that playoff game. Who knows what would have happened if the Giants and Bears met and only a select few fanatics turned a blind eye to the 14-2 Bears who, oh by the way were the defending champs, gave up only 187 points and did win 14 games. It's ridiculous to just think that was layup considering the Giants offense got the shiat knocked out of them in 85 and 87.
So many those from that year...George Martin int vs Elway and LT tackling the poor old man in end zone after several times trying to get LT to take it in for him...2nd game of season vs SD really fought through that game. Wash game at RFK..
Quote:
And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
That's just dumb as the rosters turned over so much it wasn't even the same teams. Everybody worth their salt knew the Giants offense didn't match up well with the Bears defense. It was the mobile Jay Schroder who won that playoff game. Who knows what would have happened if the Giants and Bears met and only a select few fanatics turned a blind eye to the 14-2 Bears who, oh by the way were the defending champs, gave up only 187 points and did win 14 games. It's ridiculous to just think that was layup considering the Giants offense got the shiat knocked out of them in 85 and 87.
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
Stop. It's a disgrace to give that 86 Bears team any shot at all at beating a good football team let along a historically great team. And the 86 Giants were in fact historically great. Of course anything can happen. But talking in the logical sense this scary scenario of yours was a bigger long shot than you make it out to me. It wasn't happening. The Giants would have embarrassed the Bears offense.
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
I feel it's my duty and calling in life to squash any of this crap talk about the 86 Bears and squash it fast and swiftly. I won't let it even fester!
Should I go on? Or is this dumb.
As for the best win that season. There's just nothing that will ever be better for me than winning on the road in Washington. And that win that year was simply great. Actually, great times 10. Can't think of a word would describe it better.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times.
Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
I knew they were going all the way after that one.
30 years ago. Damn. I owe the fact that I have two great sons to that team.
4th and 17 - ( New Window )
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
Thanks for making my point for me. Much like the Saints weren't a good matchup for the Giants in 2011 the Redskins weren't a good matchup for the Bears in 86.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
Quote:
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
Apology accepted.
Quote:
You wanna bring up the 2011 Saints as a legit threat to the 2011 Giants? Fine...that's fair and even that to me is overstated but yes the Giants may have faced a tougher haul if they travel to New Orleans, although much like the 86 Skins I think people underrate how good that 2011 Niner team was and how impressive the Giants were in beating them.
Thanks for making my point for me. Much like the Saints weren't a good matchup for the Giants in 2011 the Redskins weren't a good matchup for the Bears in 86.
Well...no you're wrong. Again.
Quote:
not only lost, but were embarrassed 27-13. Skins had the ball for 33:44, ran for 134 yards.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
How old are you? Were you watching football back then? I'm not trying to be a wise ass there's nothing wrong with being a younger fan but honestly it sounds like you weren't really watching football that season. If you were I stand corrected.
Quote:
So it's fair to attribute 85 greatness to the 86 Bears even though you don't really know the fine details of that team but it's dumb for me to point out the FACTS that the Bears of that era didn't win jack shit after 1985. Matter of fact did they even win another playoff game after 1985? lol...the 86 Giants would have taken that historically overrated 86 Bears team out to the woodshed. Yes the 86 Bears D could hang with anyone, the Giants would have scored enough. They scored on anyone that second half of the year lest we forget.
Do some research on the 86 Bears and get back to me. Who played QB for that Bears team? Do you even know?
It was Jim McMahon without having to research but thanks for the layup question. So you knew the Giant, who stumbled through most of 1986, would win the Super Bowl. I can only imagine how many other years you knew the Giants would win the Super Bowl too.
Bash the Bears all you want and be VERY selective with FACTS by pointing out the Bears didn't win the Super Bowl again while it was our Giants who didn't even win another playoff game until 1990. All we can look too was 85 and 87. Games could have gone either way and neither were a given despite you claims. Oh by the way, with Simms in 1990 the Giants didn't match up well with 49ers for the same reasons they didn't match up well with the better Bear teams.
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
Stumbled? I'll stumble to 14-2 any day
My favorite was the Monday Night win against the Niners. A huge win and a tremendous comeback - really, after that first half in San Francisco, the Giants never looked back, picking up steam as they rolled through their last month.
Down 17-0 in that game until THIS changed the momentum:
HOW GIANTS MIRED, THEN BURIED, 49ERS - ( New Window )
Another vote for Monday night in SF for me. Although Minn 4th and 17 is a close second.
And to steal an arrogant pompous tone from Mike Francessa --I was at the week 16 finale against the PAckers when nearly every giants fan in the house was screaming we want the Bears. The fans weren't worried at all.
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
Stumbled? I'll stumble to 14-2 any day
I read 85 so my bad. I knew who at QB in 86.
Every Giants fan knows that team had issues in 86 and even Simms was quoted as saying "it was rough". The media was all over him, the offense struggled and that team had issues in multiple games. It's funny how some forget about 1986 and are so quickly to praise 14-2 yet somehow dismiss the 14-2 Bears.
We all wanted the Bears for payback. The Giants already beat the Skins twice, beat the 49ers twice, finally beat Dallas. Besides winning the bowl, all that was left was to avenge the 85 Bears.
Giants vs Bears in the mid 80's. Those games were won on turnovers and mistakes.
Quote:
WRONG, the QB was Doug Flutie. McMahon only played 6 games that year due to injury.
Stumbled? I'll stumble to 14-2 any day
I read 85 so my bad. I knew who at QB in 86.
Every Giants fan knows that team had issues in 86 and even Simms was quoted as saying "it was rough". The media was all over him, the offense struggled and that team had issues in multiple games. It's funny how some forget about 1986 and are so quickly to praise 14-2 yet somehow dismiss the 14-2 Bears.
Again, you keep missing the point. The perception of the Giants from September, October was positive if not a little flawed and some concern--but still, positive with high upside. By the time late December rolled around all but a choice few were buzzing that the Giants could not be beat. Back then the NFL was different. I get it, some older fans were still terrified or jaded but most were pretty damn confident--even brash.
The perception changed from September to December. The offense did struggle early on.
Quote:
not only lost, but were embarrassed 27-13. Skins had the ball for 33:44, ran for 134 yards.
Bears QB: Doug Flutie. 11 for 31 134 long 11
Bears turned it over 4 times. Washington Redskins 27 at Chicago Bears 13 Saturday, January 3, 1987 - ( New Window )
ok, so despite our Giants being embarrassed in both 85 and 97 to that Bears team they would have destroyed the Bears in 1986. Ok, but I'm quite certain the vast majority of Giants fans did not "KNOW" the Giants were going to win in 1986 being, despite the growing momentum, had a history of screwing up and had their share of miserable performances in 1986 despite winning.
A) I said I felt they would win the SB AFTER they beat the 49ers and Skins IN THE PLAYOFFS
B) the Bears were in transition defensively, Buddy Ryan left, Vince Tobin became def co and did not run the 46 anymore. They were MUCH easier to run on that year, as the Skins proved.
C) Jim McMahon PLAYED JUST 6 GAMES in 1986, Doug Flutie was the QB by the time the playoffs came and the team was in open revolt against Ditka for bringing him in
D) the great Walter Payton was clearly finished and retired after the season, doubly hurting their offense because Neal Anderson wasn't ready yet.
E) the Giants were embarrassed in the 1987 opener on Monday night, clearly not ready to play, suffering SB hangover, Toast Patterson on an actual hangover and the strike looming, but they were NOT embarrassed in the 1985 playoff game. The 21-0 score was not indicative of how tough that game was. In the first half, Bobby Johnson dropped a perfect TD pass from Simms, Schubert kicked the ball straight as an arrow off the hash mark into the goal post rather than angling it in, and the Landeta whiff gave the Bears 7 cheap points: a 17 point swing. Mistake prone, YES, uncompetitive, DEFINITELY NOT.
LEARN HOW TO READ AND GET YOUR FUCKING FACTS STRAIGHT. You run your mouth yet you don't even know who played QB for the Bears nor any of the circumstances surrounding them that season.
LEARN HOW TO READ AND GET YOUR FUCKING FACTS STRAIGHT. You run your mouth yet you don't even know who played QB for the Bears nor any of the circumstances surrounding them that season.
Clean up your act. I said I read it wrong and I know who played QB. Calm down, my facts are straight.
Magic!!! And long overdue!!!
yes. that and Payton being a shell of himself made it tough for him.
Same here (although I was still worried about the bears).
The 85 loss to the Bears was in many ways seen as a stepping stone as we entered the 86 season - we played the best team better than anyone. Delusional or not, I know many Giant fans felt the weather in that game took away our chances of victory. at the very least it showed we belonged among the leagues elite. Every Giant fan saw 86 as the best chance we had in a generation, in part because of how we played in 85.
I have no doubt we would have crushed the bears in the Playoffs had we met in 86. Our defense had eclipsed them by that point, Bears ran up a gaudy record against the shitty central, barely beating the eagles at home that year, losing to the Skins at home in the playoffs.
To the winner goes the spoils so we can say anything. If you said the Giants would win 44-0 that game we might not agree. I looked on the field, not on paper. I see a game ruled by defense and Meadowlands wind which could cause turnovers. Neither offense would likely move. It would likely be turnovers with both teams stacking the box.
It's too bad they didn't meet. I think the Giants would have won but that game would be much more physical than that Skins game IMO. Speaking of matchups, flash back a year earlier, I think the Bears would have defeated the Dolphins in the Bowl yet another very interesting matchup which didn't happen.
It was 3 AM and I was watching it in a remote location in Israel in one of those TV trucks that was relaying the Armed Forces signal. I drove 3 hours from Jerusalem with a fellow Giants fan and there were about four other Israelis who had worked in silicon valley and were rooting for the 49ers in the TV truck.
I remember when the light bulb turned on during the game and I thought "My God, we may win this game.' For someone who was a die-hard fan throughout the late 60s and the 70s etc. this was truly a paradigm shift.
Magic!!! And long overdue!!!
It was certainly magical and long overdue. Can I name another year that had so many defining moments? For just the Giants? Probably not. The momentum took off in December, no doubt, but I don't believe most fans just wiped away the ghosts of despair until pretty late being this team displayed some similar issues through Nov that it had during previous years.
Winning in Dallas, in Green Bay, against New England the way they did, erases any and all criticisms.
There's no "But they didn't play the Bears!" for the 07' team.
And FWIW, I witnessed that 86' team in person, watched them disassemble Denver in that Super Bowl. I've watched a lot of football in my life, a lot of games. The Ditka Bears were an epic team, but were really one-dimensional on offense. 86 was NOT 85 - the Bears would have suffered a fate similar to Washington, I believe. Nobody could do anything against the Giant defense in that playoff run.
By November,the offense started to score points much easier, they were beating the best teams in both Conferences, there were some epic plays/battles and they were falling in our favor.
It was the Giants year and you could tell well before playoffs...
I have no idea if it is any good. Not yet released.
Winning in Dallas, in Green Bay, against New England the way they did, erases any and all criticisms.
There's no "But they didn't play the Bears!" for the 07' team.
And FWIW, I witnessed that 86' team in person, watched them disassemble Denver in that Super Bowl. I've watched a lot of football in my life, a lot of games. The Ditka Bears were an epic team, but were really one-dimensional on offense. 86 was NOT 85 - the Bears would have suffered a fate similar to Washington, I believe. Nobody could do anything against the Giant defense in that playoff run.
What are you talking about "what ifs"? Whether they did or didn't play bears (86) it didn't matter..no one was beating the 86 giants ...period
.
It was the Giants year and you could tell well before playoffs...
The only time I thought "well before the playoffs" was 2008 and at least 10 times during NYR seasons.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
but the whole season was special.
me too. hated those pricks.
Quote:
that I knew they would win the SB.
.
It was the Giants year and you could tell well before playoffs...
The only time I thought "well before the playoffs" was 2008 and at least 10 times during NYR seasons.
2008 was shaping up fine but not after Thanksgiving. And even beyond Plax situation, the team wasn't playing as well in December.
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
Charles "Too Mean" Martin. And he had his hit list towel on too.
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
P.S. Walter Payton retired at the end of the '87 season, in January of '88, not after the '86 season. WP was also quite the fumbler in 86. Giants would have turned that Bears offense into a pinata of they played in the wind of the Meadowlands in January of '87.
Thanks for catching that Optimus, poor editing on my part :-). How are you?
Payton started off '86 like his old self, but clearly faded as the season progressed.
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
Maybe, but I think few remember the wind and how it effected the Giants too. We can knock the Bears offense all day yet a lesser defense than the Bears, meaning the Skins, held the Giants to only 12 first downs. The Giants did lose the turnover battle and did fumble four times while Simms had only 7 completions. Just saying, not sure it would have been the layup some predict.
Quote:
And I'm of the opinion that the Bears would have been shutout just like the Redskins were if they played the Giants in the NFC Championship. No one ran on the Giants that season and you would have had Flutie trying to do his thing in an offense he wasn't suited for. It would have probably been 17-0, just like Skins game ended up.
Maybe, but I think few remember the wind and how it effected the Giants too. We can knock the Bears offense all day yet a lesser defense than the Bears, meaning the Skins, held the Giants to only 12 first downs. The Giants did lose the turnover battle and did fumble four times while Simms had only 7 completions. Just saying, not sure it would have been the layup some predict.
The Giants jumped out to a 10-0 lead with the wind. Once they had a 2 score lead, Parcells played it safe because he knew that George Rogers couldn't run on his defense. And Schroeder had come apart in the 2nd game at RFK when he threw 6 INTs. The Skins pretty much abandoned the run and had him throw near every down. The few times he had open men, they dropped the ball. Gary Clark dropped 2 big passes. When the Giants went up 17-0 in the 2nd quarter, the Giants really shut it down, since the only way the Redskins would get back in it was if they made a mistake.
Walter Payton would not have done anything against the 1986 Giants defense. And Flutie would likely have done even worse than Schroeder did, since Schroeder actually had weapons to throw to. Unless the Bears defense would have turned a fumble into a score, that Bears offense, on the road, would have been killed. The Bears offense, with McMahon out, scored less than 17 points in 4 of their final 6 games, against such noted competition as Atlanta, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. I don't see it, I think the Bears were spared a beat down by the Giants in bowing out to Washington.
We were living in the Bay Area at the time and it sweet wearing my Giants jacket to school the next day!
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
I also agree, many highlights, but this game was so much bigger than any of the others.
Quote:
... there are many great highlights for me, most mentioned.
But the NFC championship win - and shutting out the HATED Redskins in a wind tunnel (all that paper! never forget that) and Jim Burt walking around with his kid on his shoulders ... I had never experienced that feeling as a Giants fan. WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! I was 22 years old ... hard to top that feeling after having watched so many bad teams, and others with no offense and great defenses finish 5-9, 4-12, etc.
I wasn't SURE they'd beat the Broncos in the big game, and I was nervous being down 1 at the half, but it was pretty clear, pretty quickly in the third quarter, that we were going to get there.
Still gives me chills.
It wasn't a game, it was a celebration!!! Everyone KNEW they were going to win before the kickoff! The score may not seem impressive, but it was a blowout. Washington did nothing. They could've played 10 OTs and Washington still would not have scored. The offense spent most of the game running out the clock. They weren't going to score 49 points in that game because of the winds and Washington was a better team than SF. The fans were celebrating an hour before kick off.
I also agree, many highlights, but this game was so much bigger than any of the others.
Landeta was a major reason for that game and win
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
An entire nation of football historians aren't as curious
I was 12 I guess that season, so my parents sent me to bed at halftime down 17-0 vs SF that Monday night game. Still remember my Dad waking me up early the next morning to tell me all about the Giants comeback win.
So many of the kids in school had jumped on the 49ers bandwagon by 86 (at least those who hadn't jumped on the Cowboys or Bears bandwagon,).
Bitches. Hehe.
Quote:
In comment 13002193 Giants2012 said:
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
The 1985 Bears had the #1 rated defense, which was to no one's surprise. But they also had the #2 overall rated offense (including the #1 rushing offense) in the NFL. Add in 2 shutouts at Soldier Field in the playoffs and the destruction over the Patriots sticks in everyone's mind. It was only the Dolphins who were able to expose the Buddy Ryan blitzing 46 defense, but that's because they had Marino. The real shame was that the Patriots somehow beat Miami in the AFC Championship and ruined what would have been a great Super Bowl matchup. Kind of like when the Falcons got in the Vikings way in 1998 and we could have seen them take on the Broncos.
The Championship we beat the living piss out of
Jay Shrader <sp> the Confetti flying was awesome ..
The Great George Martin one of the Best Football Person Ever
The Hatred for the Niners and Lott ..
All the adversity Simms overcame with LT and Parcells ..
Finally the Big One
Super Bowl was Banks at his best and LT had the Speed to
Mirror Elway ..
We were visiting with our best friends. Her dad (a huge Skins fan was dying all game). He kept asking me - "Isn't that terrible, don't you think ?"
I kept a poker face all game, casually responding - "oh well, that's football, isn't it ?", (all the time cheering and celebrating inside).
He and I always got along great, till that day. He was a bit suspicious of me after that.
A couple of years later his suspicions were confirmed. He tried to recruit me into his Amway business. When I didn't go for it, he didn't speak to me for a couple of years.
49-3 blow out of the hated niners #2
especially when Jimmy Hoffa made Jerry Rice fumble
We were living in the Bay Area at the time and it sweet wearing my Giants jacket to school the next day!
That game for me too. I was working in a Berkeley CA restaurant where I had formerly been the head chef, and the chef and cook who replaced me were diehard 9ers fans. I was off that night watching the game and they called me at home from work (must've been following on radio) to rib me during halftime. I was so confident in the Giants'ability to come back (I thought they were whipping the 9ers in the trenches and eventually that would show up in the score) I bet them $10 bucks each on the spot, being down 17-0, and got 2-1 odds from them.
The bastards never paid out. And also the restaurant stopped answering their phone at some point during the 2nd half!
Oh, and the Minnesota 4th-and-17 game is right up there, too.
Oh, yeah. I remember exactly where I was. I held my breath long after the play was dead. Wow! Just wow!
Quote:
In comment 13002208 djm said:
Quote:
In comment 13002193 Giants2012 said:
The 85 Bears were probably the best or second best team I ever saw. But the Bears team of that entire era was overrated. They didn't have much staying power at all. And every time some idiot brings up the 87 home opener let us not forget the 90 playoff game.
Curious what made you think of '85 Bears as that good?
A lot of hyperbole attached to that team, awesome defense.....but what made them special to the unbiased eye?
My problem with the Bears of the '80s is that they really came off as a one hit wonder team. They were really tough for 1 or 2 seasons, and then became rather beatable.
The way the Niners dismantled them in Soldier Field '88 NFCC, they never gave that kind of beating to the Giants post '84.
In some ways, I find the Redskins and Vikings underrated for their '80s run.
The 1985 Bears had the #1 rated defense, which was to no one's surprise. But they also had the #2 overall rated offense (including the #1 rushing offense) in the NFL. Add in 2 shutouts at Soldier Field in the playoffs and the destruction over the Patriots sticks in everyone's mind. It was only the Dolphins who were able to expose the Buddy Ryan blitzing 46 defense, but that's because they had Marino. The real shame was that the Patriots somehow beat Miami in the AFC Championship and ruined what would have been a great Super Bowl matchup. Kind of like when the Falcons got in the Vikings way in 1998 and we could have seen them take on the Broncos.
Didn't know they had the #2 offense.
Yes, it's a shame we didn't see Bears/Dolphins SB.
That was sweet!
The most exhilarating was obviously the SB victory, first one!
As far as the '85 Bears, after their SB victory over the Pats,
one of their issues is they became fat cats. Ditka with his
restaurants and wines, players with book deals and more.
That is another reason for 'no staying power'.