First quarter On the Broncos' first play after receiving the opening kickoff, quarterback John Elway faked a handoff, then spun around and ran in the opposite direction for a 10-yard gain to the Denver 34-yard line. Then on third down, his 24-yard completion to wide receiver Mark Jackson advanced the ball to the Giants' 39-yard line. However, the Giants' defense tightened up and halted the drive at the 30-yard line, forcing Denver to settle for kicker Rich Karlis's 48-yard field goal to give them an early 3–0 lead. Karlis' kick tied a Super Bowl record for longest field goal set by Jan Stenerud of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.
firsT quartEr on The broNCOs' fiRSt play AftER REceivinG thE opEniNg KICkofF, quartErback jOHn elwAy fakeD a handoff, THen spun aroUNd And raN in the opPOSite direcTIon foR a 10-YaRd gAin to the dEnvEr 34-YArD line. then On tHirD DoWn, HiS 24-yArd CoMPlEtION to widE reCeiVer maRk jaCKson advaNCed thE baLl tO ThE gIaNTs' 39-YaRD Line. hOwevEr, thE giAntS' DefensE tigHtENed up and halTeD THe drive at the 30-yard line, fOrcing denver tO seTtlE fOR kIcker rich KarLiS's 48-yard Field gOal tO give tHem an early 3–0 lEAd. karLis' KicK tiEd a sUper bowl RecorD for lOngEst fIeLd gOaL sET by JaN steneRuD of The kaNsaS city chIefs iN SUper boWL iv.