Buffalo BillsVERSUSNew York Giants

Buffalo's no-huddle K-Gun offense had overwhelmed the AFC and arrived in Tampa favored to win the franchise's first championship. New York countered with Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and the league's top scoring defense, even though backup Jeff Hostetler had replaced the injured Phil Simms late in the season.

• The Bills had scored 95 points in two playoff games, including 51 in the AFC Championship Game.
• The Giants had beaten San Francisco on the road to stop the 49ers from pursuing a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
• Played during the Gulf War, the game carried an unusually intense national atmosphere that framed Whitney Houston's celebrated anthem performance.

Sources: NFL: Super Bowl XXV · NFL history: Wide Right