Recap
AI summary based on verified facts
Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal wide right with 4 seconds left and the New York Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 to win Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. Ottis Anderson finished with 102 yards on 21 carries and a 1-yard rushing touchdown to win Super Bowl MVP. Jeff Hostetler threw for 222 yards with one touchdown to Stephen Baker. Matt Bahr kicked two field goals. Jim Kelly finished 18 of 30 for 212. Thurman Thomas ran for 135 with a touchdown. The Giants finished 16-3.[1][2]
Columnist recap
AI summary based on verified facts
Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal sailed wide right with 4 seconds left and the New York Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 to win Super Bowl XXV. The Giants finished 16-3 in the franchise's second Super Bowl championship. Ottis Anderson's 102-yard rushing performance and 1-yard rushing touchdown won him Super Bowl MVP. Whitney Houston's national anthem and the wartime backdrop made the night an event larger than the game.
Jeff Hostetler finished 20 of 32 for 222 yards with one touchdown (Stephen Baker 14-yard score in the second quarter). Anderson ran 21 times for 102 with the 1-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that gave the Giants their final lead. Mark Bavaro caught five for 50. Dave Meggett added 9 carries for 48 plus 2 catches for 18.
Jim Kelly finished 18 of 30 for 212. Thurman Thomas ran 15 times for 135 with a 31-yard touchdown rush. Andre Reed caught eight for 62. James Lofton caught one for 61. The Bills' offense produced 19 points and the kind of yardage line that would normally win a championship; the Giants' time-of-possession (40:33 to 19:27) and their ability to keep Kelly off the field through long touchdown drives were the kind of game-control performance that wins a Super Bowl. The Norwood 47-yard attempt, with 4 seconds left and the Bills trailing 20-19, was the kind of close call that would be replayed for decades.
By the numbers
AI summary based on verified facts
Giants 20, Bills 19. Margin: plus 1. Super Bowl XXV.
- Hostetler: 20 of 32, 222, 1 TD (Baker 14), 0 INTs, 1 sack; 6 carries for 10.
- Stephen Baker: 2 catches for 31, 1 TD (14y).
- Mark Bavaro: 5 catches for 50.
- Mark Ingram: 5 catches for 74.
- Howard Cross: 4 catches for 39.
- Ottis Anderson: 21 carries for 102, 1 rushing TD (1y) — Super Bowl MVP.
- Dave Meggett: 9 carries for 48, plus 2 catches for 18.
- Maurice Carthon: 3 carries for 12, plus 1 catch for 3.
- Matt Bahr: 2 FGs (28, 21).
- Kelly (BUF): 18 of 30, 212, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 1 sack; 6 carries for 23.
- Thurman Thomas: 15 carries for 135, 1 rushing TD (31y), plus 5 catches for 55.
- Andre Reed: 8 catches for 62.
- James Lofton: 1 catch for 61.
- Keith McKeller: 2 catches for 11.
- Don Smith (BUF): 1 carry for 1, 1 rushing TD (1y).
- Scott Norwood (BUF): 1 FG (23), missed 47y attempt 'Wide Right' with 0:04 left.
- Bills safety: Bruce Smith tackled Hostetler in end zone for safety in Q2.
- Giants TOP 40:33; Bills TOP 19:27.
- Giants 16-3; Bills out. Super Bowl XXV champions.
Film room
AI summary based on verified facts
A 20-19 Super Bowl XXV win for the New York Giants over the Buffalo Bills at Tampa Stadium. The Giants finish 16-3 and win the franchise's second Super Bowl championship. Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal attempt with 4 seconds left sailed wide right and became the most-replayed single-play moment of the postseason.
How it unfolded
Matt Bahr's 28-yard field goal opened the scoring. Norwood's 23-yarder tied it 3-3. Don Smith ran in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Bills a 3-10 lead. Bruce Smith tackled Hostetler in the end zone for a safety to make it 3-12. Baker caught a 14-yard touchdown from Hostetler to cut it to 10-12. Anderson's 1-yard rush in the third quarter put the Giants ahead 17-12. Thurman Thomas' 31-yard rushing touchdown reclaimed the lead 17-19. Bahr's 21-yard field goal made it 20-19 with 7:20 left. The Bills' final drive moved the ball to the Giants' 29. Norwood's 47-yarder sailed wide right.
The turning point
The Norwood 47-yard field goal attempt with 4 seconds remaining. Norwood, who made the 23-yarder earlier, took the snap from holder Frank Reich and the 47-yarder sailed about 5 feet wide of the right upright. The play became one of the most-replayed single-play moments in Super Bowl history and the moment Buffalo's first Super Bowl appearance ended one yard short of overtime.
By the numbers
Hostetler 20 of 32 for 222 with one touchdown and the second-quarter safety that gave Buffalo the 12-3 lead. Anderson 102 rushing on 21 carries with the touchdown and the Super Bowl MVP award. Kelly 18 of 30 for 212 with no touchdowns. Thurman Thomas 135 on 15 carries with the 31-yard touchdown. Andre Reed eight catches for 62. Lofton one for 61 on the deep ball. The Giants held the ball 40:33 to Buffalo's 19:27 with a series of long, methodical drives that kept Kelly's offense off the field.
What it means
Giants 16-3. Super Bowl XXV champions. Buffalo's first Super Bowl appearance ends with the wide-right field goal. The Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl appearances would begin with this loss. Ottis Anderson, the 34-year-old veteran running back from St. Louis, takes home the MVP trophy. Whitney Houston's national anthem becomes one of the most-watched anthem performances in television history. The war backdrop and the close finish would make Super Bowl XXV one of the most-remembered Super Bowls of all time.
