Ranking The Super Bowls, #5: Super Bowl XXV

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The New York Giants won Super Bowl XXV by defeating the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in one of the most exciting games in Super Bowl history. The victory was the Giants' second in the Super Bowl in five years. Super Bowl XXV was kicked off with arguably the best version of the national anthem, which was sung by the late Whitney Houston, and finished with a missed field goal that still stings the fans of the Buffalo Bills.

The Giants severely dominated the Buffalo Bills in time of possession with their run first offense, eating up 40 minutes, 33 seconds, which is a Super Bowl record. In the Bills previous two playoff games, they racked up 95 points, and between the Giants defense and their run dominated offense, the Bills only had the ball on offense for 19:27. The Bills had the ball for less than eight minutes in the second half.

The Giants offense ran a remarkable 73 plays on offense, 14 of which came on their initial drive in the third quarter. That 75-yard drive ate up a Super Bowl record 9:29 before their running back, Ottis Anderson, ran it in from one yard out for a touchdown.

The Giants were without their starting quarterback, Phil Simms, who was lost for the season with a leg injury in week twelve. But backup quarterback, Jeff Hostetler, filled in admirably, and helped lead the Giants to Super Bowl XXV. During that record setting Super Bowl drive, Hostetler converted on three third-down plays, including a 11-yard pass to running back David Meggett, a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Ingram, as well as a nine yard pass to tight end Howard Cross that gave the Giants a 17-12 lead in the third quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, the Bills jumped out to an early lead over the Giants before Jeff Hostetler was able to close the gap with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephen Baker to make it 12-10.

The Bills were able to recapture the lead in the fourth quarter, however, when running back Thurman Thomas ran for a 31-yard touchdown run to open the quarter. Giving Buffalo a 19-17 lead over New York. The Giants took the lead back though, with a 21-yard field goal by kicker, Matt Bahr, making it 20-19. With time running out, it set the stage for arguably the most heartbreaking field goal misses in Super Bowl history, and making kicker, Scott Norwood, famous or notorious for all the wrong reasons. His 47-yard missed field goal still resonates with Bills fan today.

Ottis Anderson was named MVP of Super Bowl XXV, rushing for 102 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown. Jeff Hostetler also had a very productive Super Bowl, completing 20-of-32 passes for 222 yards with a touchdown pass.

For the Bills, running back Thurman Thomas had a 190 yards from scrimmage, which included 135 yards rushing on 15 carries, while catching five passes for 55 yards.