In the first half, neither the Giants' quarterback, Kerry Collins, nor his Raven counterpart, Trent Dilfer, could get untracked. Costly penalties and turnovers kept the score down until midway through the third quarter, by which time many in the crowd had turned their attention to a small fire burning out of control near the north end zone, apparently started by a group of protesting environmentalists, one of whom stripped naked and ran across the field during a Baltimore kickoff return. Protesters, Raven special team players, and several well-oiled spectators all got entangled, turning the muddy (three days of heavy rain) area around the New York 35-yard line into a scene right out of Woodstock.

The game's outcome hinged on a Baltimore field goal attempt with just 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Giants ahead, 14-13. The kick was blocked by Giants safety Jason Sehorn and a man in a condom costume. Sehorn picked the ball up and took it in for a touchdown. Suddenly, instead of it being Ravens 16, Giants 14, it was Giants 21, Ravens 13, and Baltimore's hopes of Super Bowl glory were all but dashed.