TAMPA, Fla. — In a season when Kerry Collins came so far with his troubled life and career, there was no great final chapter in the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The Giants quarterback had his worst game of the season against the best defense in the NFL.
Collins threw a season-high four interceptions, including one that Duane Starks returned 49 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, as the Ravens beat the Giants 34-7.
Collins completed 15 of 39 passes for 112 yards. He was sacked four times, and his longest pass was for only 19 yards.
The performance was a far cry from his near-perfect effort two weeks before when he went 28-for-39 for 381 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-0 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game.
Collins, who overcame an alcohol problem and the perception that he was a quitter in reviving his career with the Giants this season, was confident and totally in command that day. He stood in the pocket and rifled one pass after another.
But that was the Vikings, the league's 28th-ranked defense. Their line never got close to Collins. Their cornerbacks played 10 yards off the Giants receivers.
The Ravens never let Collins breathe, forcing the Giants offense to the sidelines without a first down on five of their first six series.
Baltimore's front seven pressured Collins from the first snap. On several passes over the middle, linebacker Ray Lewis had a hand up tipping the ball. Two almost were intercepted on the opening drive.
And when Collins challenged the secondary, Starks, Chris McAlister, Kim Herring and Rod Woodson were there to make plays.
In the end, Collins ended up losing his poise and that cost the Giants the game.
Two series summed up Collins' game.
Trailing 10-0 late in the second quarter, Collins drove the Giants from their own 28 to the Ravens 29, hitting Ron Dixon for 16 yards and having Tiki Barber run 27.
On first-and-10, Collins tried to force a deep post pattern into double coverage, and McAlister easily picked it off, killing the Giants' best scoring opportunity of the half.
Starks' interception return came on a quick slant to Amani Toomer. Starks reacted like he knew the play call, and he ran untouched into the end zone for a 17-0 lead.
After the teams exchanged kickoff returns for touchdowns on the next two plays, Collins finished the game scrambling against a Ravens defense that kept coming after him. The 28-year-old Collins even fumbled in the end zone in the fourth quarter, but a teammate recovered inside the 5-yard line to avoid further embarrassment.