NFL playoffs, 2000-01
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 2000 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXXV
.
This would be the last time that playoff games would be played at the accustomed times of 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST. The following season, the NFL scheduled prime time
playoff games for the first two rounds in an attempt to attract more television viewers.
This would be the final season where wild card weekend was held in December. The following year, the league pushed the start of the season back one week (to the weekend after Labor Day
), which effectively pushed the start of playoffs one week later (into January).
set a playoff record with 40 carries for 209 yards, including the game winning 17-yard touchdown in overtime.
The Colts scored first midway through the first quarter with a 32-yard field goal by kicker Mike Vanderjagt
. Miami threatened to score late in the first period, but Indianapolis safety Chad Cota
intercepted quarterback Jay Fiedler
's pass in the end zone. On the next play, running back Edgerrin James
broke off a 34-yard run, but the drive stalled and the Colts had to punt. After that, Colts lineman Chad Bratzke
gave his team a great opportunity for a touchdown when he intercepted Fiedler's screen pass
at the Dolphins 25-yard line. But Indianapolis could not dent the end zone and had to settle for another field goal from Vanderjagt. However, on Miami's ensuing drive, they committed their third consecutive turnover when Cota picked off another pass and returned it 23 yards to the Dolphins 18-yard line. This time, the Colts managed to get a touchdown with Peyton Manning
's 17-yard pass to Jerome Pathon
with 7:47 left in the second quarter. Then he completed a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Ken Dilger
. Despite their sluggish start, Indianapolis seemed to be in complete control of the game by the end of the first half. In addition to their 14-0 lead, they had held Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler
to 5 of 14 completions for 42 yards.
But Fiedler made a major improvement in the second half, completing 14 of 20 passes for 143 yards and rushing for 43. The Dolphins took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 70 yards in 11 plays to score on Smith's 2-yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half. In the fourth quarter, a 19-yard run by Smith set up a 38-yard field goal from Olindo Mare
, and the score was cut to 14-10. But Manning led the Colts back, completing a 13-yard pass to Marcus Pollard
and an 18-yard pass to Pathon. Then a 16-yard run by James moved the ball into Dolphins terriroty, and Vanderjagt finished the drive with a 50-yard field goal to give the Colts a 7-point lead. Miami responded with a 14-play, 80-yard scoring drive. With 34 seconds left in regulation, Fiedler's 9-yard touchdown pass to Jed Weaver
sent the game into overtime.
The Dolphins won the toss in overtime, but after a holding penalty they were forced to punt, and the Colts then advanced into Miami territory. Faced with a third down and 12 yards to go from the Dolphins 42-yard line, Manning completed an 11-yard pass to Marvin Harrison
. The Dolphins were offside on the play, but the Colts elected to take the result of the play and attempt a 49-yard field goal on fourth down to win the game. However, Vanderjagt's kick was wide right. The Dolphins then marched 61 yards in 11 plays, ending with Smith's game winning touchdown.
Manning threw for 197 yards and a touchdown. James rushed for 107 yards and caught 3 passes for 33.
committed four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), while running back Marshall Faulk
, who shredded the Saints with 220 rushing yards when they played against them in the regular season, was held to a season low of 24 yards on the ground.
St. Louis scored on their first drive, marching 68 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead with Warner's 17-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce
. But New Orleans then scored 31 unanswered points, beginning with Brooks' 12-yard touchdown pass to Robert Wilson on their ensuing possession. Sammy Knight
's 52-yard interception return to the Rams 20-yard line set up kicker Doug Brien
's 33-yard field goal to give the Saints a 10-7 lead by halftime. Then early in the third quarter, Chris Oldham's interception gave New Orleans the ball at the Rams 45-yard line, setting up another score on a 10-yard catch by Willie Jackson
and increasing their lead to 17-7. Early in the fourth quarter, the Saints drove 74 yards in 5 plays and scored with Brooks' 49-yard touchdown pass to Jackson. Then on the Rams ensuing drive, linebacker La'Roi Glover
recovered a fumble from Warner on the Rams 16-yard line, and Brooks threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jackson on the next play, giving the Saints a 31-7 lead with 11:57 remaining.
But St. Louis stormed back. Warner completed two passes to Faulk for 55 yards before throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl
, cutting the deficit to 31-13 after a failed 2-point conversion. With 6:28 left in the game, St. Louis had the ball inside the New Orleans 10-yard line but Knight recorded his second interception to halt the drive. However, the Saints were forced to punt and the Rams marched 62 yards on just 3 plays to score on running back Marshall Faulk
's 25-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead 31-20 with 3:52 left. Rams cornerback Dre' Bly recovered the ensuing onside kick
. Two plays later on third down and 6, Warner completed a 38-yard pass to Az-Zahir Hakim
at the Saints 5-yard line and the took the ball into the end zone himself with a 5-yard touchdown run. Faulk's reception on the two-point conversion cut the lead, 31-28, with 2:36 left. St. Louis failed to recover their second onside kick attempt but forced New Orleans to punt. However, the punt was muffed by Az-Zahir Hakim, and the Saints' Brian Milne
recovered the ball to seal the victory. Jackson caught 6 passes for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns. Warner finished the game with 365 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted 3 times. Bruce caught 7 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Faulk added 7 catches for 99 yards and a score.
The Monday Night Football
crew returned to the Superdome a year later to cover a regular season game between these teams, which the Rams won 34-21 - it was their last game as division rivals, as the Saints moved from the NFC West
to the NFC South
in 2002.
Baltimore scored first early in the second quarter with running back Jamal Lewis
' 1-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Denver quarterback Gus Frerotte
completed four passes for 59 yards on a 62-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal from Jason Elam
with 4:31 remaining in the first half to cut the lead 7-3. But on the Ravens' next drive, Trent Dilfer
threw a pass that was bobbled by Lewis, then deflected by defensive back Terrell Buckley
, and finally ended up in the arms of tight end Shannon Sharpe
, who took it 58 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Ravens receiver Jermaine Lewis
returned a punt 17 yards to the Broncos 28-yard line, setting up the final score of the game, a 27-yard touchdown burst by Jamal Lewis. He finished the game with 110 rushing yards, one reception for 15 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
This was the first time the Broncos were ever prevented from scoring a touchdown in 28 postseason games over a span of three decades.
's 29-yard field goal. But late in the period, the Eagles' Hugh Douglas forced Tampa Bay quarterback Shaun King
to fumble, and Mike Mamula recovered the loose ball at the Buccaneers 15-yard line. The turnover set up Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb
's 5-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay then punted on their next possession and the Eagles marched 69 yards on 8 plays to take a 14-3 on Na Brown
's 5-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left in the half. Philadelphia then shut out the Buccaneers in the second half, while McNabb threw a 2-yard pass to Jeff Thomason
with less than a minute left in the game to seal the victory.
led the Vikings to a victory with 305 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Culpepper threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss
on the game's third play from scrimmage
. Culpepper then recorded a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cris Carter
and a 68-yard pass to Moss. Robert Tate's interception in the third quarter set up Robert Smith's 2-yard touchdown run to seal the victory. Meanwhile, the Saints could only score a field goal and two touchdown passes from quarterback Aaron Brooks. 35-year old Carter had the best postseason performance of his career, catching 8 passes for a career high 120 yards and a touchdown, while Moss recorded 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 2 receptions. Saints receiver Willie Jackson
caught 9 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in the final postseason game of his career. Receiver Chad Morton
tied a playoff record with 13 receptions for 106 yards.
intercepted quarterback Jay Fiedler
's pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. Then, Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski
scored two field goals on the team's next two possessions. Later, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson recovered Dolphins running back Lamar Smith's fumble to set up quarterback Rich Gannon's 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jett
to increase the lead, 20-0. The Raiders then capped the scoring after taking the opening kickoff of the second half and marching 54 yards in 12 plays to reach the end zone on running back Tyrone Wheatley
's 2-yard touchdown run. Meanwhile, James added a second interception late in the fourth quarter.
The Titans scored first on the game's opening drive after marching 68 yards in 11 plays to reach the end zone on running back Eddie George
's 2 yard touchdown run. But Baltimore tied the game early in the second quarter after quarterback Trent Dilfer
's 56-yard pass to Shannon Sharpe
set up running back Jamal Lewis
's 1 -yard touchdown run. Tennessee kicker Al Del Greco
attempted two field goals before halftime, but his 45-yarder was blocked and he missed a 31-yarder. The teams then traded field goals in the third quarter, with Tennessee getting their field goal following a blocked punt. Early in the fourth quarter, Del Greco's field goal attempt was blocked, Mitchell caught the ball, and ran 90 yards to the end zone to give the Ravens a 17-10 lead. The Titans then had the ball near midfield with 6:55 remaining, but Ray Lewis' 50-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for Baltimore.
returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. For the rest of the game, they gained only 186 yards and scored 10 points, despite forcing three turnovers.
Philadelphia failed to get a first down on their first three possessions. Then on the Eagles fourth drive, Torrance Small fumbled and Dave Thomas recovered the loose ball to set up Brad Daluiso's 37-yard field goal.
Late in the second quarter, cornerback Jason Sehorn
made a diving interception from Donovan McNabb
, then got back up and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to increase the Giants lead to 17-0. In the third quarter the Eagles recovered an Amani Toomer
fumble at the Giants 32-yard line, but the Giants defense managed to halt the ensuing drive at the 13-yard line, and David Akers
' 31-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
In the fourth quarter the Eagles took advantage of a blocked Giants punt with a McNabb 10-yard touchdown pass to Small which cut the deficit to 10, but their subsequent onside kick failed and the Giants held the ball the rest of the game.
led the Giants to a victory by throwing for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Giants shut out the Vikings by limiting them to only 114 offensive yards, sacking quarterback Daunte Culpepper
4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. New York wide receiver Ike Hilliard had 10 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Minnesota sports community sometimes refers to this as "41–doughnut" after a post game comment from Randy Moss: "I was just talking to Daunte, and 41-to-doughnut, I think that's the worst defeat I've ever been in my life." Culpepper completed only 13 of 28 passes for 78 yards, with 3 interceptions, while Moss caught only 2 passes for 18 yards.
Minnesota got off to a bad start and never recovered. After the opening kickoff, Collins led the Giants 74 yards in just 4 plays, scoring on a 46-yard touchdown pass to Hilliard to give them a 7–0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game. Then Vikings kick returner Moe Williams
fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his own 18-yard line and Collins capitalized with an 18-yard touchdown pass to fullback Greg Comella
on the next play, giving New York a 14–0 lead before the Vikings offense had even stepped onto the field. New York was shut down for the rest of the quarter, with Collins throwing two interceptions, but it hardly mattered, as the Vikings could not convert either of them into points. After the second one, Mitch Berger's 26-yard punt gave the Giants great field position on the Minnesota 41-yard line, setting up a Brad Daluiso
field goal on the first play of the second quarter.
The next time New York got the ball, Collins' 43-yard completion to Ron Dixon
set up an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver Joe Jurevicius
, making the score 24-0. Then after a punt, New York drove 62 yards and scored another Daluiso field goal, aided by a 21-yard pass interference penalty against defensive back Wasswa Serwanga
. And on the last drive of the half, Hilliard caught 4 passes for 59 yards on a 77-yard drive that ended with his 7-yard touchdown catch with 12 seconds left.
By the time the first half ended, New York had scored 34 points (more than they had scored in any of their regular season games) and gained 386 yards, while holding the Vikings to 45.
In the third quarter, Culpepper lost a fumble while being sacked by safety Shaun Williams
, and Cornelius Griffin
recovered the ball, setting up Amani Toomer
's 7-yard touchdown reception to close out the scoring.
By starting this game, Collins became the sixth quarterback to start in the conference championship for two different franchises joining Craig Morton, Ron Jaworski, Doug Williams, Jay Schroeder and Joe Montana. He started the '96 NFC contest for the Carolina Panthers.
The win will also mark the final time the Giants won a playoff game at Giants Stadium
.
also made 3 field goals. Meanwhile, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon
was knocked out of the game by a ferocious hit from Baltimore defensive lineman Tony Siragusa
. He returned briefly in the second half, but was ineffective and was replaced by Bobby Hoying.
Late in the first quarter, the Ravens had a great scoring opportunity when defensive back Robert Bailey
intercepted a pass from Gannon at the Raiders 19-yard line. But Baltimore could only gain one yard with their next three plays and then Stover hit the right upright on a 36-yard field goal attempt. Oakland was forced to punt on their ensuing possession, and Shane Lechler
's 56-yard kick pinned the Ravens deep in their own territory. A few plays later, facing a third down and 18 yards to go from their 4-yard line, Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe
caught a short pass and ran 96 yards for a touchdown.
Gannon was knocked out of the game and replaced by Hoying on the Raiders next drive. Ravens defensive back Duane Starks
subsequently intercepted Hoying's first pass of the game and returned it 9 yards to the Oakland 20-yard line, setting up Stover's 31-yard field goal to give his team a 10-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Oakland defensive back Johnnie Harris
intercepted a pass from Trent Dilfer
and returned it to the Ravens 39-yard line. The Raiders then drove to a first down on the Ravens 2-yard line, aided by two penalties against Baltimore for 27 yards. But they could not penetrate the end zone. First Tyrone Wheatley
was dropped for a 1-yard loss. Then Gannon was sacked on second down by Jamie Sharper
. On third down, Gannon's pass was incomplete and the Raiders had to settle for Sebastian Janikowski
's field goal to cut the score to 10-3. Ravens receiver Jermaine Lewis
returned the ensuing kickoff 29 yards to the 38-yard line. Then Dilfer completed a 13-yard pass to Brandon Stokley
and a 24-yard pass to tight end Ben Coates
on a 51-yard drive that ended another field goal by Stover. In the fourth quarter, Ray Lewis recovered a fumble from Gannon on the Raiders 6-yard line, setting up Stover's third field goal to close out the scoring. With 4:30 left in the game, Raiders receiver Andre Rison
caught a touchdown pass, but committed pass interference before making the catch and the score was called back.
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
following the 2000 NFL season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
led up to Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
.
This would be the last time that playoff games would be played at the accustomed times of 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST. The following season, the NFL scheduled prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
playoff games for the first two rounds in an attempt to attract more television viewers.
This would be the final season where wild card weekend was held in December. The following year, the league pushed the start of the season back one week (to the weekend after Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
), which effectively pushed the start of playoffs one week later (into January).
AFC: Miami Dolphins 23, Indianapolis Colts 17 (OT)
The Dolphins overcame three first half turnovers as running back Lamar SmithLamar Smith (NFL)
Lamar Hunter Smith is a former professional American football running back. He played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers from 1994 to 2003...
set a playoff record with 40 carries for 209 yards, including the game winning 17-yard touchdown in overtime.
The Colts scored first midway through the first quarter with a 32-yard field goal by kicker Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
. Miami threatened to score late in the first period, but Indianapolis safety Chad Cota
Chad Cota
Chad Garrett Cota is a former professional American football strong safety in the NFL. He attended Ashland High School followed by the University of Oregon. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints,...
intercepted quarterback Jay Fiedler
Jay Fiedler
Jay Brian Fiedler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life and high school years:Fiedler was born to a Jewish family on Long Island in Oceanside, New York...
's pass in the end zone. On the next play, running back Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami....
broke off a 34-yard run, but the drive stalled and the Colts had to punt. After that, Colts lineman Chad Bratzke
Chad Bratzke
Chad Alan Bratzke is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League.-College career:...
gave his team a great opportunity for a touchdown when he intercepted Fiedler's screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
at the Dolphins 25-yard line. But Indianapolis could not dent the end zone and had to settle for another field goal from Vanderjagt. However, on Miami's ensuing drive, they committed their third consecutive turnover when Cota picked off another pass and returned it 23 yards to the Dolphins 18-yard line. This time, the Colts managed to get a touchdown with Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
's 17-yard pass to Jerome Pathon
Jerome Pathon
Jerome Pathon is an American football coach and former wide receiver who played eight seasons in the National Football League...
with 7:47 left in the second quarter. Then he completed a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Ken Dilger
Ken Dilger
Kenneth Ray Dilger is a retired professional American football player.-Early years:Ken Dilger was raised in Mariah Hill, Spencer County, Indiana. He attended Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana where he played quarterback; he also starred in basketball and baseball...
. Despite their sluggish start, Indianapolis seemed to be in complete control of the game by the end of the first half. In addition to their 14-0 lead, they had held Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler
Jay Fiedler
Jay Brian Fiedler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life and high school years:Fiedler was born to a Jewish family on Long Island in Oceanside, New York...
to 5 of 14 completions for 42 yards.
But Fiedler made a major improvement in the second half, completing 14 of 20 passes for 143 yards and rushing for 43. The Dolphins took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 70 yards in 11 plays to score on Smith's 2-yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half. In the fourth quarter, a 19-yard run by Smith set up a 38-yard field goal from Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
, and the score was cut to 14-10. But Manning led the Colts back, completing a 13-yard pass to Marcus Pollard
Marcus Pollard
Marcus LaJuan Pollard is a former American football tight end.-College career:Pollard attended Bradley University, where he played basketball. Bradley did not have a football program at the time he matriculated there...
and an 18-yard pass to Pathon. Then a 16-yard run by James moved the ball into Dolphins terriroty, and Vanderjagt finished the drive with a 50-yard field goal to give the Colts a 7-point lead. Miami responded with a 14-play, 80-yard scoring drive. With 34 seconds left in regulation, Fiedler's 9-yard touchdown pass to Jed Weaver
Jed Weaver
Jed Weaver grew up in Redmond, Oregon becoming an all league and all state player in football, basketball and baseball. He is an American football Tight End, who played in the National Football League, and currently is retired.-High School:At Redmond High School in Redmond, Oregon, Weaver was a...
sent the game into overtime.
The Dolphins won the toss in overtime, but after a holding penalty they were forced to punt, and the Colts then advanced into Miami territory. Faced with a third down and 12 yards to go from the Dolphins 42-yard line, Manning completed an 11-yard pass to Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
. The Dolphins were offside on the play, but the Colts elected to take the result of the play and attempt a 49-yard field goal on fourth down to win the game. However, Vanderjagt's kick was wide right. The Dolphins then marched 61 yards in 11 plays, ending with Smith's game winning touchdown.
Manning threw for 197 yards and a touchdown. James rushed for 107 yards and caught 3 passes for 33.
NFC: New Orleans Saints 31, St. Louis Rams 28
The Saints won their first playoff game in their 34-year history with quarterback Aaron Brooks' 266 passing yards and four touchdowns, and by holding off the defending champion Rams, who scored three touchdowns in the final quarter. Rams quarterback Kurt WarnerKurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
committed four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), while running back Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...
, who shredded the Saints with 220 rushing yards when they played against them in the regular season, was held to a season low of 24 yards on the ground.
St. Louis scored on their first drive, marching 68 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead with Warner's 17-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce
Isaac Isidore Bruce is a retired American football wide receiver. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Memphis....
. But New Orleans then scored 31 unanswered points, beginning with Brooks' 12-yard touchdown pass to Robert Wilson on their ensuing possession. Sammy Knight
Sammy Knight
Sammy D. Knight, Jr. is a former professional American football player. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
's 52-yard interception return to the Rams 20-yard line set up kicker Doug Brien
Doug Brien
Douglas Robert Zachariah Brien is a former American football placekicker. He played twelve seasons for seven teams in the National Football League:...
's 33-yard field goal to give the Saints a 10-7 lead by halftime. Then early in the third quarter, Chris Oldham's interception gave New Orleans the ball at the Rams 45-yard line, setting up another score on a 10-yard catch by Willie Jackson
Willie Jackson (American football)
Willie Bernard Jackson, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1990s and 2000s...
and increasing their lead to 17-7. Early in the fourth quarter, the Saints drove 74 yards in 5 plays and scored with Brooks' 49-yard touchdown pass to Jackson. Then on the Rams ensuing drive, linebacker La'Roi Glover
La'Roi Glover
La'Roi Damon Glover ; born July 4, 1974) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League who ended his career with the St. Louis Rams. Glover retired from the NFL on June 22, 2009...
recovered a fumble from Warner on the Rams 16-yard line, and Brooks threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jackson on the next play, giving the Saints a 31-7 lead with 11:57 remaining.
But St. Louis stormed back. Warner completed two passes to Faulk for 55 yards before throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl
Ricky Proehl
Richard Scott Proehl is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Proehl played 17 seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts...
, cutting the deficit to 31-13 after a failed 2-point conversion. With 6:28 left in the game, St. Louis had the ball inside the New Orleans 10-yard line but Knight recorded his second interception to halt the drive. However, the Saints were forced to punt and the Rams marched 62 yards on just 3 plays to score on running back Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...
's 25-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead 31-20 with 3:52 left. Rams cornerback Dre' Bly recovered the ensuing onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
. Two plays later on third down and 6, Warner completed a 38-yard pass to Az-Zahir Hakim
Az-Zahir Hakim
Az-Zahir Ali Hakim is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
at the Saints 5-yard line and the took the ball into the end zone himself with a 5-yard touchdown run. Faulk's reception on the two-point conversion cut the lead, 31-28, with 2:36 left. St. Louis failed to recover their second onside kick attempt but forced New Orleans to punt. However, the punt was muffed by Az-Zahir Hakim, and the Saints' Brian Milne
Brian Milne
Brian Fitzsimons Milne was an American football fullback in the National Football League. Being drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts...
recovered the ball to seal the victory. Jackson caught 6 passes for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns. Warner finished the game with 365 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted 3 times. Bruce caught 7 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Faulk added 7 catches for 99 yards and a score.
The Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
crew returned to the Superdome a year later to cover a regular season game between these teams, which the Rams won 34-21 - it was their last game as division rivals, as the Saints moved from the NFC West
NFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
to the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
in 2002.
AFC: Baltimore Ravens 21, Denver Broncos 3
The Ravens defense held the Broncos' offense to only 177 total yards, 42 rushing yards, 9 first downs, and 3 points. Baltimore also recorded five sacks and held running back and Rookie of the Year Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1487 yards during the season, to 40 yards on 15 carries.Baltimore scored first early in the second quarter with running back Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lafitte Lewis is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
' 1-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Denver quarterback Gus Frerotte
Gus Frerotte
Gustave Joseph "Gus" Frerotte is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tulsa....
completed four passes for 59 yards on a 62-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal from Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
with 4:31 remaining in the first half to cut the lead 7-3. But on the Ravens' next drive, Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
threw a pass that was bobbled by Lewis, then deflected by defensive back Terrell Buckley
Terrell Buckley
Douglas Terrell Buckley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League....
, and finally ended up in the arms of tight end Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is a former American Football tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. Sharpe is known for his creative commentary and trash talking. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and inducted on August 6, 2011...
, who took it 58 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Ravens receiver Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Edward Lewis is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, who he played for until 2001...
returned a punt 17 yards to the Broncos 28-yard line, setting up the final score of the game, a 27-yard touchdown burst by Jamal Lewis. He finished the game with 110 rushing yards, one reception for 15 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
This was the first time the Broncos were ever prevented from scoring a touchdown in 28 postseason games over a span of three decades.
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 21, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3
The Eagles defense held Tampa Bay to only 199 total yards and 11 first downs. The Buccaneers scored first early in the second quarter with Martin GramaticaMartin Gramatica
Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
's 29-yard field goal. But late in the period, the Eagles' Hugh Douglas forced Tampa Bay quarterback Shaun King
Shaun King
Shaun Earl King is a former Tulane University and National Football League quarterback.-High School:King is a 1995 graduate of Gibbs High School .-College:...
to fumble, and Mike Mamula recovered the loose ball at the Buccaneers 15-yard line. The turnover set up Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
's 5-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay then punted on their next possession and the Eagles marched 69 yards on 8 plays to take a 14-3 on Na Brown
Na Brown
Na Orlando Brown is a professional indoor football wide receiver for the Huntington Hammer of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. He has also played for three seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League...
's 5-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left in the half. Philadelphia then shut out the Buccaneers in the second half, while McNabb threw a 2-yard pass to Jeff Thomason
Jeff Thomason
Jeffrey David Thomason is a former American football tight end and is currently a construction worker. He played college football at Oregon, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992...
with less than a minute left in the game to seal the victory.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 34, New Orleans Saints 16
Quarterback Daunte CulpepperDaunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
led the Vikings to a victory with 305 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Culpepper threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
on the game's third play from scrimmage
Play from scrimmage
A play from scrimmage is the activity of the games of Canadian football and American football during which one team tries to advance the ball or to score, and the other team tries to stop them or take the ball away. Once a play is over, and before the next play starts, the football is considered...
. Culpepper then recorded a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cris Carter
Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins ....
and a 68-yard pass to Moss. Robert Tate's interception in the third quarter set up Robert Smith's 2-yard touchdown run to seal the victory. Meanwhile, the Saints could only score a field goal and two touchdown passes from quarterback Aaron Brooks. 35-year old Carter had the best postseason performance of his career, catching 8 passes for a career high 120 yards and a touchdown, while Moss recorded 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 2 receptions. Saints receiver Willie Jackson
Willie Jackson (American football)
Willie Bernard Jackson, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1990s and 2000s...
caught 9 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in the final postseason game of his career. Receiver Chad Morton
Chad Morton
Chad Akio Morton is a former American football running back and kick/punt returner in the National Football League...
tied a playoff record with 13 receptions for 106 yards.
AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Miami Dolphins 0
The Raiders scored 20 points in the first half, recorded 140 rushing yards, and forced 4 turnovers to shut out the Dolphins. In the first period, Miami threatened to score first with a drive to Oakland's 17-yard line, but Tory JamesTory James
Tory James is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League.James attended Archbishop Shaw High School before going to college at Louisiana State University, and was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
intercepted quarterback Jay Fiedler
Jay Fiedler
Jay Brian Fiedler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life and high school years:Fiedler was born to a Jewish family on Long Island in Oceanside, New York...
's pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. Then, Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
scored two field goals on the team's next two possessions. Later, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson recovered Dolphins running back Lamar Smith's fumble to set up quarterback Rich Gannon's 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jett
James Jett
James S. Jett , is a former American football wide receiver and Olympic sprinter who played nine seasons for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders from 1993 to 2002, in the National Football League...
to increase the lead, 20-0. The Raiders then capped the scoring after taking the opening kickoff of the second half and marching 54 yards in 12 plays to reach the end zone on running back Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Anthony Wheatley is the running backs coach at Syracuse University and a former professional American football player who played 10 seasons in the National Football League and was one of the most successful high school and collegiate athletes in Metropolitan Detroit history...
's 2-yard touchdown run. Meanwhile, James added a second interception late in the fourth quarter.
AFC: Baltimore Ravens 24, Tennessee Titans 10
Even though they had only 134 yards of total offense and six first downs, the Ravens broke a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter with Anthony Mitchell's 90-yard return of a blocked field goal and Ray Lewis' 50-yard interception return.The Titans scored first on the game's opening drive after marching 68 yards in 11 plays to reach the end zone on running back Eddie George
Eddie George
Edward Nathan "Eddie" George, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the Tennessee Titans both in Tennessee and in Houston when the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers, and spent his final season with the Dallas Cowboys...
's 2 yard touchdown run. But Baltimore tied the game early in the second quarter after quarterback Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
's 56-yard pass to Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is a former American Football tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. Sharpe is known for his creative commentary and trash talking. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and inducted on August 6, 2011...
set up running back Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lafitte Lewis is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
's 1 -yard touchdown run. Tennessee kicker Al Del Greco
Al Del Greco
Albert Louis Del Greco is a former American football placekicker and a current sports radio personality and high school coach in Birmingham, Alabama.-Biography:...
attempted two field goals before halftime, but his 45-yarder was blocked and he missed a 31-yarder. The teams then traded field goals in the third quarter, with Tennessee getting their field goal following a blocked punt. Early in the fourth quarter, Del Greco's field goal attempt was blocked, Mitchell caught the ball, and ran 90 yards to the end zone to give the Ravens a 17-10 lead. The Titans then had the ball near midfield with 6:55 remaining, but Ray Lewis' 50-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for Baltimore.
NFC: New York Giants 20, Philadelphia Eagles 10
The Eagles never recovered after the Giants' Ron DixonRon Dixon
Ronald Dixon is a former American football wide receiver for the New York Giants in the National Football League. His most notable performance was his 97 yard kick return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV. Dixon's return was the only score for the Giants as they went on to lose to the Baltimore...
returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. For the rest of the game, they gained only 186 yards and scored 10 points, despite forcing three turnovers.
Philadelphia failed to get a first down on their first three possessions. Then on the Eagles fourth drive, Torrance Small fumbled and Dave Thomas recovered the loose ball to set up Brad Daluiso's 37-yard field goal.
Late in the second quarter, cornerback Jason Sehorn
Jason Sehorn
Jason Heath Sehorn is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League.-Early years:Sehorn was born in Sacramento, California...
made a diving interception from Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
, then got back up and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to increase the Giants lead to 17-0. In the third quarter the Eagles recovered an Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer is a retired American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan, where he was a fan favorite.Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas...
fumble at the Giants 32-yard line, but the Giants defense managed to halt the ensuing drive at the 13-yard line, and David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
' 31-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
In the fourth quarter the Eagles took advantage of a blocked Giants punt with a McNabb 10-yard touchdown pass to Small which cut the deficit to 10, but their subsequent onside kick failed and the Giants held the ball the rest of the game.
NFC Championship: New York Giants 41, Minnesota Vikings 0
Quarterback Kerry CollinsKerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
led the Giants to a victory by throwing for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Giants shut out the Vikings by limiting them to only 114 offensive yards, sacking quarterback Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. New York wide receiver Ike Hilliard had 10 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Minnesota sports community sometimes refers to this as "41–doughnut" after a post game comment from Randy Moss: "I was just talking to Daunte, and 41-to-doughnut, I think that's the worst defeat I've ever been in my life." Culpepper completed only 13 of 28 passes for 78 yards, with 3 interceptions, while Moss caught only 2 passes for 18 yards.
Minnesota got off to a bad start and never recovered. After the opening kickoff, Collins led the Giants 74 yards in just 4 plays, scoring on a 46-yard touchdown pass to Hilliard to give them a 7–0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game. Then Vikings kick returner Moe Williams
Moe Williams
Maurece Jabari "Moe" Williams is a former American football running back in the National Football League . He formerly played for the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens...
fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his own 18-yard line and Collins capitalized with an 18-yard touchdown pass to fullback Greg Comella
Greg Comella
Gregory F. Comella is a former professional American football fullback in the National Football League for the New York Giants, the Tennessee Titans, the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the starting full back for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore...
on the next play, giving New York a 14–0 lead before the Vikings offense had even stepped onto the field. New York was shut down for the rest of the quarter, with Collins throwing two interceptions, but it hardly mattered, as the Vikings could not convert either of them into points. After the second one, Mitch Berger's 26-yard punt gave the Giants great field position on the Minnesota 41-yard line, setting up a Brad Daluiso
Brad Daluiso
Bradley William Daluiso is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League. He played twelve seasons, the majority of them with the New York Giants. In addition, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders...
field goal on the first play of the second quarter.
The next time New York got the ball, Collins' 43-yard completion to Ron Dixon
Ron Dixon
Ronald Dixon is a former American football wide receiver for the New York Giants in the National Football League. His most notable performance was his 97 yard kick return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV. Dixon's return was the only score for the Giants as they went on to lose to the Baltimore...
set up an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver Joe Jurevicius
Joe Jurevicius
Joseph Michael Jurevicius is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State....
, making the score 24-0. Then after a punt, New York drove 62 yards and scored another Daluiso field goal, aided by a 21-yard pass interference penalty against defensive back Wasswa Serwanga
Wasswa Serwanga
Wasswa Serwanga is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League and Arena Football League. He played one season for the San Francisco 49ers and two for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, and one for the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL...
. And on the last drive of the half, Hilliard caught 4 passes for 59 yards on a 77-yard drive that ended with his 7-yard touchdown catch with 12 seconds left.
By the time the first half ended, New York had scored 34 points (more than they had scored in any of their regular season games) and gained 386 yards, while holding the Vikings to 45.
In the third quarter, Culpepper lost a fumble while being sacked by safety Shaun Williams
Shaun Williams
Shaun LeJon Williams is a former American football safety, most recently for the Carolina Panthers, of the National Football League. Williams attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and played both tailback and safety. He won All-CIF Division I and Del Rey League MVP in his...
, and Cornelius Griffin
Cornelius Griffin
-Washington Redskins:Griffin was signed by the Giants' NFC East-rival Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2004, during the 2004 offseason.Griffin had his best season in 2004, recording 96 tackles and six sacks...
recovered the ball, setting up Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer is a retired American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan, where he was a fan favorite.Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas...
's 7-yard touchdown reception to close out the scoring.
By starting this game, Collins became the sixth quarterback to start in the conference championship for two different franchises joining Craig Morton, Ron Jaworski, Doug Williams, Jay Schroeder and Joe Montana. He started the '96 NFC contest for the Carolina Panthers.
The win will also mark the final time the Giants won a playoff game at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
.
AFC Championship: Baltimore Ravens 16, Oakland Raiders 3
The Ravens forced 4 interceptions and held the Raiders offense to only 191 total yards, 17 rushing yards, and 3 points. Ravens kicker Matt StoverMatt Stover
John Matthew "Matt" Stover is a former American Football placekicker. As of the start of the 2009 NFL season, he was the third most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League. He is of Greek origin. He has played for the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore...
also made 3 field goals. Meanwhile, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon
Rich Gannon
Richard Joseph Gannon is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League...
was knocked out of the game by a ferocious hit from Baltimore defensive lineman Tony Siragusa
Tony Siragusa
Anthony "Tony" Siragusa , nicknamed "Goose", is a former National Football League defensive tackle who spent twelve seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. He currently works as a sideline analyst for NFL games broadcast on the Fox Network.-Early life:Siragusa attended David...
. He returned briefly in the second half, but was ineffective and was replaced by Bobby Hoying.
Late in the first quarter, the Ravens had a great scoring opportunity when defensive back Robert Bailey
Robert Bailey
Robert Martin Bailey is a former American football cornerback who played eleven seasons for six teams, the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the Detroit Lions, and the Baltimore Ravens from 1991 to 2001 in the National Football League.Bailey played college football at...
intercepted a pass from Gannon at the Raiders 19-yard line. But Baltimore could only gain one yard with their next three plays and then Stover hit the right upright on a 36-yard field goal attempt. Oakland was forced to punt on their ensuing possession, and Shane Lechler
Shane Lechler
Edward Shane Lechler is an American football punter who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. Lechler played college football for Texas A&M from 1996-1999. In the NFL, Lechler has been named an All-Pro eight times during his career...
's 56-yard kick pinned the Ravens deep in their own territory. A few plays later, facing a third down and 18 yards to go from their 4-yard line, Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is a former American Football tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. Sharpe is known for his creative commentary and trash talking. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and inducted on August 6, 2011...
caught a short pass and ran 96 yards for a touchdown.
Gannon was knocked out of the game and replaced by Hoying on the Raiders next drive. Ravens defensive back Duane Starks
Duane Starks
Duane Lonell Starks is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 10th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft...
subsequently intercepted Hoying's first pass of the game and returned it 9 yards to the Oakland 20-yard line, setting up Stover's 31-yard field goal to give his team a 10-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Oakland defensive back Johnnie Harris
Johnnie Harris
Johnnie Harris is an Arena Football League defensive specialist with the Philadelphia Soul. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Storm , the Orlando Predators , and the Grand Rapids Rampage...
intercepted a pass from Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
and returned it to the Ravens 39-yard line. The Raiders then drove to a first down on the Ravens 2-yard line, aided by two penalties against Baltimore for 27 yards. But they could not penetrate the end zone. First Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Wheatley
Tyrone Anthony Wheatley is the running backs coach at Syracuse University and a former professional American football player who played 10 seasons in the National Football League and was one of the most successful high school and collegiate athletes in Metropolitan Detroit history...
was dropped for a 1-yard loss. Then Gannon was sacked on second down by Jamie Sharper
Jamie Sharper
Harry James Sharper, Jr. is a former American football player who played in the NFL from 1997 through 2005. He played college football at the University of Virginia. He is the older brother of safety Darren Sharper.-Professional career:The Baltimore Ravens selected Sharper with the 34th overall...
. On third down, Gannon's pass was incomplete and the Raiders had to settle for Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
's field goal to cut the score to 10-3. Ravens receiver Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Edward Lewis is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, who he played for until 2001...
returned the ensuing kickoff 29 yards to the 38-yard line. Then Dilfer completed a 13-yard pass to Brandon Stokley
Brandon Stokley
Brandon Stokley is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
and a 24-yard pass to tight end Ben Coates
Ben Coates
Ben Terrence Coates is a former American football tight end in the National Football League and former CIAA football coach and former NFL tight ends coach. Coates didn't play football until his senior year of high school, and was a multi-sport player at Livingstone College located in Salisbury,...
on a 51-yard drive that ended another field goal by Stover. In the fourth quarter, Ray Lewis recovered a fumble from Gannon on the Raiders 6-yard line, setting up Stover's third field goal to close out the scoring. With 4:30 left in the game, Raiders receiver Andre Rison
Andre Rison
Andre Previn Rison is a retired American football wide receiver who played professionally for the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and the Canadian Football League's...
caught a touchdown pass, but committed pass interference before making the catch and the score was called back.