Editing Super Bowl XXI (section)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1986–87 NFL playoffs}}

Elway's ability to improvise on the fly, in part, helped Denver to make it through the playoffs, narrowly defeating the [[New England Patriots]] 22–17, and the [[Cleveland Browns]] 23–20, in the AFC Championship Game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 4th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701040den.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns - January 11th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701110cle.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The AFC Championship Game against the Browns was particularly significant because Elway displayed why many NFL experts thought Super Bowl XXI would be the first of many Super Bowls for him. In what became known as ''[[The Drive (American football)|The Drive]]'', the Broncos started from their own 2-yard line, trailing 20–13, with 5:32 left to play. But in 15 plays, Elway led Denver 98 yards for a game-tying touchdown pass with 39 seconds left. The Broncos then won in overtime after Elway led them 60 yards in 9 plays to set up kicker [[Rich Karlis]]' game-winning field goal.

Meanwhile, the Giants went on to only allow a combined total of 3 points in their playoff victories over the [[San Francisco 49ers]], 49–3, and the [[Washington Redskins]], 17–0, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants - January 4th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701040nyg.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Washington Redskins at New York Giants - January 11th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701110nyg.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The dominating performances by the Giants' defense gave the team extra confidence going into their Super Bowl matchup versus the Broncos.