The 1990 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL), won their sixth championship — and second Super Bowl — in franchise history during the season. Led by linebacker Lawrence Taylor and quarterbacks Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler, the Giants posted a 13–3 record and defeated the Chicago Bears and defending Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers in the NFC playoffs. In Super Bowl XXV they defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19 in Tampa Stadium, against a patriotic backdrop inspired by the recently started Gulf War. The story of the season is the subject of a recent book, When the Cheering Stops, by defensive end Leonard Marshall and CBSsports.com co-writer William Bendetson.
After making the playoffs in 1989, the Giants entered the 1990 season as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. They began the season with a 27–20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, then won their next nine games before losing a rematch to Philadelphia 31–13 in week 12. The Giants also lost close games to the 49ers on the road and Bills at home in the regular season, before defeating both teams in playoff rematches. During the Buffalo game, Simms was lost for the season with a broken foot, and replaced by Hostetler. The Giants defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed (211), and the team set an NFL record by committing only 14 turnovers in the regular season. After the season, six Giants were selected to the Pro Bowl.
In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1990 Giants' defense as the sixth-greatest in NFL history, noting that the team "allowed only 13.2 points a game against a very tough schedule -- they played against seven playoff teams during the regular season. Led by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, New York's defense also came through in the playoffs, holding the Bears to just three points in the divisional playoff game. Then they allowed a tough 49ers offense just two field goals and one TD, and set up the game-winning score by forcing a late fumble to win the NFC title 15-13. In Super Bowl XXV, the Giant defense held its own against the Bills' no-huddle offense, and New York won 20-19."
Read more about 1990 New York Giants Season: Roster, Coaching Staff, Regular Season, Playoffs, Awards and Honors
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“New York will be a great place when they finish it.”
—Local saying.
“But can see better there, and laughing there
Pity the giants wallowing on the plain.
...
Pygmies expand in cold impossible air,
Cry fie on the giantshine, poor glory which
Pounds breast-bone punily, screeches, and has
Reached no Alps: or, knows no Alps to reach.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)
“The art of medicine in the season lies:
Wine given in season oft will benefit,
Which out of season injures.”
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)