New York Giants: The Top 5 Bill Parcells Moments
By Erik Lambert
#1: The Fake Punt II
One would think running a fake punt in the Super Bowl would take the top spot, but people need to understand the context. The Giants weren’t playing the overmatched Broncos at a neutral site in this game. It was against the defending champion San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. They also had their backup quarterback instead of Phil Simms. They also faced a bigger deficit at 13-9.
Sensing his team was lacking a spark in the 4th quarter, Parcells again called for the fake punt. This time it would be of the surprising variety. Seeing the 49ers in confusion with just 10 men on the field, the Giants snapped the ball directly to linebacker Gary Reasons who gained 30 yards before finally being brought down. New York kicked another field goal to narrow the gap to 13-12.
On the next drive, 49ers running back Roger Craig fumbled the ball and Lawrence Taylor recovered. The Giants gained just enough yardage to set up a 42-yard field goal that stunned the champs 15-13, paving the way to New York’s second Super Bowl title.