NFL 100

1986

New York Giants

"Little bit of a chip on their shoulder. A little bit of: You can hit me and I'm just going to get back up and hit you harder." - Harlan Coben

by George R.R. Martin Alec Baldwin

The 1986 New York Giants went 14-2 and dominated in the playoffs, defeating their three opponents by a total score of 105 to 23. The Giants defense starred Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who had a career-high 20.5 sacks and was named league MVP. Other Pro Bowl players on defense included Leonard Marshall, along with Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson, whose Gatorade showers of head coach Bill Parcells became must-see-TV during the season. On offense, QB Phil Simms led an attack whose stars included 5-foot-7 running back Joe Morris (1,516 yards rushing, 14 TDs rushing) and tight end Mark Bavaro (66 catches for 1,001 yards). The Giants allowed the second fewest points per game (14.8) and tightened the screws even further during the playoffs. They beat San Francisco 49-3, Washington 17-0, and then the Broncos, 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. Simms completed 22 of 25 passes for 3 touchdowns in a Giants Super Bowl triumph.

by Mina Kimes

"The entire team was so perfect and had such a strong identity." - Mina Kimes

reporter Seahawks

by Peter King

"I'm not entirely sure they had any weakness. Most teams have one or two strengths." - Tony Romo

reporter Patriots

by Matt Walsh Men in Blazers

"The '85 Bears were a breath of fresh air to Chicago." - Kevin Cronin

actor celebrity Bears

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George

R.R. Martin

George R. R. Martin is a fantasy writer and best-selling author whose series of novels, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” were the basis for HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” A New Jersey native, Martin is a Jets and Giants fan who has maintained a blog about both teams, often writing about their respective woes. Martin has been photographed at MetLife stadium and in a Jets cap, and has described life as a Jets fan as one of “unending torment.”

Profession:

celebrity

Place of Birth:

Bayonne, NJ

Preferred Team:

New York Jets

Alec

Baldwin

Alec Baldwin is an actor who has appeared in the movies Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Departed, among many others. Also an Emmy Award winner for his work on “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live,” Baldwin was born on Long Island, where he was the son of a high school football coach. Baldwin hosted the first three NFL Honors shows from 2012 to 2014, and narrated the NFL Films’ documentary, “America’s Game: 2011 New York Giants,” about the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning season.

Profession:

actor

Place of Birth:

Amityville, NY

Preferred Team:

New York Jets

New York Giants

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