The giants began the 2000 season hoping to get over the hump of coming short the past two seasons.
They would go on to finish the year with a 12-4 record and represented the nfc in super bowl XXXV.
With revived quarterback Kerry Collins the passing game improved from just a mediocre attack. The running game averaged 256.5 yards per game and became known as the thunder and lightning backfield. The defense allowed just 246 points, with it's greatest strength being against the run allowing a second best 3.2 yards per carry.
Early in the season the giants record stood at 7-2 coming off two double digit wins, when they lost 2 straight falling to 7-4. That's when Head coach Jim Fassel made a bold move and guaranteed that his team would make the playoffs, which became the defining moment of the season and is said to be the motivation that got them to the super bowl. In that game however the giants were unable to get anything going offensively and couldnt build off of small victories the result was going on to lose super bowl XXXV 34-7 to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Giants defeated the Eagles in a hard fought battle 20–10, in which rookie WR Ron Dixon returned a game-clinching kick return. They advanced to the NFC Championship against the Vikings, as Kerry Collins threw five TDS, two to Ike Hilliard as they progressed to the franchise's 3rd Super Bowl. But that game turned out poorly for the Giants, as Kerry Collins threw four interceptions, one was returned for a TD as they lost 34–7 to the Ravens.
The Giants only score was a Ron Dixon 97-yard kick return.
Early in the game with the score tied and the ball backed up in Baltimore territory, QB Trent Dilfer for the Ravens dropped back and shot a pass over the middle that was picked off by ILB Jesse Armstead. Armstead ran the interception back for a TD, but a flag was thrown; a few seconds after Armstead had made the turnover. Inside Lineman Keith Hamilton had been flagged for Defensive Holding. A rare call indeed for any game let alone the Super Bowl. Replays showed that Hamilton had barely nudged on the OL's jersey. The Giants 7 points were taken off the board and instead of going up 14–7, the Ravens would go on to dominate the game.