SB 25: Norwood's FG miss gives Giants 20-19 win over Bills

Posted January 11, 2016 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE- In this Jan. 27, 1991, file photo, Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood, center, misses the field goal on the last play of the game, clinching the victory for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV in Tampa. The Giants won 20-19. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File) The Associated Press

SUPER BOWL 25

Jan. 27, 1991

At Tampa, Fla._73,813

Buffalo .3..9..0..7_19

N.Y. Giants .3..7..7..3_20

With the Gulf War underway, patriotism was at a peak in the United States. Whitney Houston's pregame rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" brought fans in Tampa and folks watching on TV to an emotional peak.

So did the game.

The New York Giants survived the closest Super Bowl ever when Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal attempt went wide right with 8 seconds left in the game.

The Giants won their second Super Bowl in five years with a ball-control offense - they had possession for 40:33, a Super Bowl record. Fourteen of New York's 73 plays came on its initial drive of the third quarter that covered 75 yards and a Super Bowl record 9:39 before running back Ottis Anderson scored on 1-yard run. Anderson's touchdown gave the Giants a 17-12 lead.

Thurman Thomas opened the fourth quarter with a 31-yard touchdown burst to put Buffalo ahead 19-17. Matt Bahr put the Giants ahead with a 21-yard field.

Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler, playing for the injured Phil Simms, completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown. Anderson rushed 21 times for 102 yards and a touchdown to capture the Most Valuable Player award.

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991, file photo, New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of football players Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after defeating the Buffalo Bills 20-19 to win Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 27, 1991, file photo, New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball as he leaps over Buffalo Bills' Kirby Jackson and Giants' Stephen Baker during the fourth quarter of the NFL football Super Bowl XXV in Tampa. The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, File) The Associated Press

FILE- In this Jan. 27, 1991, file photo, Buffalo Bills' Scott Norwood walks off the field after missing what would have been the game-winning field goal in the NFL football Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants in Tampa. The Giants won 20-19. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) The Associated Press

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