NFL: The 30 most incredible duos in league history

21. Lawrence Taylor and Leonard Marshall, New York Giants

Prior to the 1984 NFL season, the New York Giants had only one winning season in 11 years, as they were one of the worst teams in football. In the 1981 NFL Draft, the Giants selected North Carolina linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who would go on to be one of the better players in the history of the NFL.

Two years later, the Giants had what some called the steal of the draft, selecting Leonard Marshall out of LSU. Together, Taylor and Marshall would become a cornerstone of the Giants “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defense, a unit that would help the Giants become perennial playoff contenders and take home two Super Bowls.

The first Super Bowl came in 1986, as the Giants defeated the Denver Broncos 39-20, thanks to Marshall’s two sacks. Four years later, the Giants would take on the Buffalo Bills. Thanks to Scott Norwood missing a field goal, the Giants would cement their spot as an all-time team, winning the game, 20-19.

For Taylor, he was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, won an NFL MVP and went on to be named to 10 Pro Bowls. Marshall was not as decorated, though he was a two-time Pro Bowler and was an absolute force off the edge. Without Taylor and Marshall getting pressure on a consistent basis, there is no way the Giants take home two rings in their 10 seasons together.