Super Bowl XXI January 25, 1987October 19, 2016 Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway (7) of the Denver Broncos rolls out and looks for an open receiver during the Broncos 39-20 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/NFL Photos) The Broncos fall to the New York Giants 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. The game watched by 101,063 at the Rose Bowl and played before a national television audience of 127,000,000. In addition, the game was televised live in 53 other nations.