Super Bowl XXXV Champions 2000 season : Super Bowl XXXV champions . The 2000 season saw the Ravens defense , led by defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis , develop into a rock - solid unit that emerged as one of the most formidable defenses in NFL history . The Ravens defense set a new NFL record in holding opposing teams to 165 total points ; the feat eclipsed the mark set previously by the Chicago Bears of 187 points for a 16 game season . Linebacker Ray Lewis was named Defensive Player of the year and , with two of his defensive teammates , Sam Adams and Rod Woodson , making the Pro Bowl . Baltimore ' s season started strong with a 3 – 1 record . Tony Banks began the 2000 season as the starting quarterback and was replaced by Trent Dilfer when the Ravens fell to 5 – 4 , and failed to score an offensive touchdown the entire month of October . Coach Brian Billick announced that the change at quarterback would be for the rest of the season . The 1 , 364 - yard rushing season by rookie running back Jamal Lewis combined with the stout Ravens defense kept Baltimore competitive in games even when the offense struggled . At one point in the season the team played five consecutive games without scoring an offensive touchdown but still managed two wins during that stretch . The team regrouped and won each of their last seven games , finishing 12 – 4 . The Ravens had made the playoffs for the first time . Since the divisional rival Tennessee Titans had a record of 13 – 3 , Baltimore had to play in the wild card round . In their first ever playoff game , they dominated the Denver Broncos 21 – 3 in front of a then record - crowd of 69 , 638 at then called PSINet Stadium . In the divisional playoffs , they went on the road to Tennessee . Tied 10 – 10 in the fourth quarter , an Al Del Greco field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Anthony Mitchell , and a Ray Lewis interception return for a score put the game squarely in Baltimore ' s favor . The 24 – 10 win put the Ravens in the AFC Championship against the Oakland Raiders . Shannon Sharpe ' s 96 - yard touchdown catch early in the second quarter , followed by an injury to Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon , highlighted the Ravens ' 16 – 3 victory . . Baltimore then went to Tampa for Super Bowl XXXV where they met the New York Giants , cruising to a 34 – 7 win for their first championship in franchise history . The Ravens recorded four sacks , forced five turnovers , one of which was a Kerry Collins interception returned for a touchdown by Duane Starks . The Giants ' only score was a Ron Dixon kickoff return for another touchdown ( after Starks ' interception return ) , making the 2000 Ravens the third Super Bowl team whose defense did not allow an opponent ' s offensive score ; however , Baltimore immediately countered with a TD return by Jermaine Lewis . The Ravens became only the third wild - card team to win a Super Bowl championship . The interception return for a touchdown , followed by two kick return TDs , marked the quickest time in Super Bowl history that three touchdowns had been scored . The title made the Ravens the fourth Baltimore - based pro football team to win a league championship . They were preceded by the NFL Baltimore Colts in 1958 , 1959 and 1970 , the USFL Stars in 1985 and the CFL Stallions in 1995 .