 In 1986 Taylor had one of the most successful seasons by a defensive player in the history of the NFL . He recorded a league @-@ leading 20 @.@ 5 sacks and became one of just two defensive players to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award and the only defensive player to be the unanimous selection for MVP . He also was named Defensive Player of the Year for the third time . The Giants finished the season 14 – 2 and outscored San Francisco and Washington by a combined score of 66 – 3 in the NFC playoffs . He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alone the week leading up to Super Bowl XXI with a warning from the magazine to the Denver Broncos regarding Taylor . The Giants overcame a slow start in Super Bowl XXI to defeat Denver 39 – 20 . Taylor made a key touchdown preventing tackle on a goal line play in the first half , stopping Broncos quarterback John Elway as he sprinted out on a rollout . 
