 The 1986 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 fifth championship — and first Super Bowl — in franchise history during the season . Led by consensus league Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms , the Giants posted a 14 – 2 record during the regular season , tied for the best record in the league with the defending Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears and the best in team history . The Giants improved on their 10 – 6 record from 1985 , won their first division championship since the NFL @-@ AFL merger in 1970 , and won Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos . 
