View source for Super Bowl XXV

===Playoffs===
{{See also|1990–91 NFL playoffs}}
The Giants began their championship postseason run by a trivial elimination of the [[1990 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], 31–3. In leading the Giants' "power football" offense, Hostetler threw only 17 passes, but two went for touchdowns and he threw no interceptions. He also directed a rushing attack that gained 194 yards, including 43 (and a touchdown) from Hostetler himself. This game offered a preview of what lay in store for Super Bowl XXV, as the Giants scored on drives of 75, 80, 49, and 51 yards, which lasted nine, 11, 11, and 16 plays, respectively. Overall, New York held the ball for 38:22, compared to Chicago's 21:38.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Chicago Bears at New York Giants - January 13th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101130nyg.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> However, New York lost another key player for the season when rookie running back [[Rodney Hampton]], the team's second-leading rusher during the regular season with 455 yards, suffered a broken leg.

The following Sunday, the Giants upset the [[1990 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] 15–13 in the [[1990–91 NFL playoffs#NFC: New York Giants 15, San Francisco 49ers 13|NFC Championship Game]]. The 49ers, an NFL-best 14–2 in the regular season and winners of the last two Super Bowls, were 8-point favorites at kickoff.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200sfo.htm | title=NFC Championship - New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - January 20th, 1991 | work=Pro-Football-Reference.com | access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> Their outstanding defense was led by future Hall of Fame defensive back [[Ronnie Lott]] and linebacker [[Charles Haley]], who led the NFC in sacks. San Francisco's offense was considered the best in the NFC, led by future Hall of Fame quarterback [[Joe Montana]] and wide receiver [[Jerry Rice]]. However, except for a 61-yard touchdown pass from Montana to wide receiver [[John Taylor (American football)|John Taylor]], the Giants contained the 49ers' offense very well. A sack by Giants defensive end [[Leonard Marshall]] early in the fourth quarter knocked Montana out of the game. Despite their super defensive effort, the Giants still trailed 13–9 midway through the fourth quarter, but a 30-yard run from linebacker [[Gary Reasons]] on a fake punt set up kicker [[Matt Bahr]]'s fourth field goal, cutting their deficit to 13–12. The 49ers (now led by [[Steve Young]]) tried to run out the clock on their ensuing possession, but running back [[Roger Craig (American football)|Roger Craig]] had the ball dislodged by nose tackle [[Erik Howard]], and Lawrence Taylor recovered the fumble in mid-air with 2:36 remaining. Five plays later, Bahr kicked his fifth field goal, a 41-yarder, as time expired to give New York the win.

As for the Bills, Jim Kelly returned from his injury to lead Buffalo to a 44–34 playoff victory over the [[1990 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]. The Bills jumped to an early 20–3 lead, but Miami quarterback [[Dan Marino]] rallied his team back and cut Buffalo's lead to 30–27 going into the fourth quarter. However, Buffalo scored a touchdown on their first drive of the period with a 5-yard run by Thurman Thomas. Kicker [[Scott Norwood]] then recovered a fumble from Miami on the ensuing kickoff, allowing the Bills to put the game away with Kelly's 26-yard touchdown pass to Andre Reed. Kelly finished the game with 336 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 37 rushing yards. Reed was also a major factor, recording 123 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. James Lofton caught seven passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Thomas led the Bills' ground attack with 32 carries for 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while also catching three passes for 38 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - January 12th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101120buf.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Buffalo then crushed the [[1990 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]] 51–3 in the [[1990–91 NFL playoffs#AFC: Buffalo Bills 51, Los Angeles Raiders 3|AFC Championship Game]], the most lopsided score in AFC Championship Game history. The Bills' defense dominated the Raiders' offense, which was without [[running back]] [[Bo Jackson]], who suffered a career-ending injury against the [[1990 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] the week before, limiting them to an early field goal and intercepting five passes from quarterback [[Jay Schroeder]]. Meanwhile, the Bills' offense racked up 502 yards, piling up yards and points so fast the game was out of reach by the end of the first half. Kelly was 17 of 23 for 300 yards passing, and two touchdowns to Lofton. Thomas had 138 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving, and his backup, [[Kenneth Davis (American football)|Kenneth Davis]], tied a playoff record with three touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Los Angeles Raiders at Buffalo Bills - January 20th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200buf.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>