Page "New York Giants" Paragraph 17

The Giants struggled to a 6 – 9 record in the strike-marred 1987 season, due largely to a decline in the running game, as Morris managed only 658 yards behind an injury-riddled offensive line.

The early portion of the 1988 season was marred by a scandal involving Lawrence Taylor.

Taylor had abused cocaine and was suspended for the first four games of the season for his second violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Despite the controversy, the Giants finished 10 – 6, and Taylor recorded 15. 5 sacks after his return from the suspension.

They surged to a 12 – 4 record in 1989, but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in their opening playoff game when Flipper Anderson caught a 47-yard touchdown pass to give the Rams a 19 – 13 overtime win.

In 1990, the Giants went 13 – 3 and set an NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season ( 14 ).

They defeated the San Francisco 49ers, who were attempting to win the Super Bowl for an unprecedented third straight year, 15 – 13 at San Francisco and then defeated the Buffalo Bills 20 – 19 in Super Bowl XXV.