The Giants defense looked completely outmatched against the potent Baltimore Ravens offense, and the offense failed to come up with answers of their own in Sunday’s 35-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Lamar Jackson (21-of-25, 290 yards, five touchdowns) looked like he has his sights set on his third career MVP award, and even with Derrick Henry being kept in check (14 carries, 67 yards), the Ravens cruised against a beat-up Giants defense.
Here are the key takeaways…
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The big story for Big Blue coming into this one was having quarterback Tommy DeVito back under center after missing virtually all of the past two games with a forearm injury.But DeVito’s return would only last for about two quarters, as he was knocked out of the game after being diagnosed with a concussion late in the first half. DeVito had gone 10-of-13 for 68 yards before coming out of the game.
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DeVito’s injury meant that Tim Boyle was up to the lead the offensive huddle. Boyle, who was signed to the practice squad in mid-November and was just signed to the active roster this week, showed some veteran savviness, as he helped draw a pass interference penalty on a fourth-down deep throw to Malik Nabers in the third, but it ultimately wouldn’t matter much as the Giants turned it over on downs in a goal-to-go situation.Boyle finished 12-of-24 for 123 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
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The Giants’ secondary came in very banged up, with Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, and Cor’Dale Flott all inactive (not to mention safety Tyler Nubin landing on IR earlier this week). Inside linebacker Bobby Okereke also remained out with a back injury, putting the defense in a very tough spot against Jackson, Henry, and company.And that shorthanded defense had absolutely no answers in the first half, as Jackson went 13-of-14 for 162 yards and three touchdowns, with his only incompletion coming on a throw-away out of bounds. Rashod Bateman caught a pair of touchdowns, including an effortless-looking 49-yarder, while racking up 80 yards in the first half, and Mark Andrews added another as Baltimore took a 21-7 lead into the break.It was much of the same in the second half, as Jackson hit Devontez Walker for an early third-quarter touchdown and then hit Justice Hill for an untouched 27-yard score. Jackson would be replaced by backup Josh Johnson in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.
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An Adoree’ Jackson strip of Jackson, plus the fumble recovery, looked like it may have given the Giants some early life, but the G-Men went three-and-out on each of their first two possessions, and then were stuffed on a fourth-and-one on their third.Late in the first half, a couple of costly Ravens penalties (roughing the passer, pass interference) plus a successful 4th-and-2 conversion set the Giants up inside the five, and another hands to the face penalty gave Giants a fresh set of downs, paving the way for Devin Singletary to punch it in from two yards out. That score made it 14-7 at the time, but it was still not a first half to remember for the Giants offense.
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When the Giants look back at Sunday’s game film, special teams play will likely stand out in a negative way. Hill was able to run the opening kickoff back 59 yards, and Desmond King later had a nifty 23-yard punt return to set the Ravens up in Giants territory.
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Nabers was a bright spot for the Giants’ offense, as he hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-down play with about seven minutes to go. The Giants clearly had a gameplan to get Nabers the ball, and he ended up with 10 catches on 14 targets for 82 yards and that one TD.
Game MVP
Jackson, who only needed to play for about three-and-a-half quarters to throw for 290 yards and five touchdowns.
Highlights
Upcoming Schedule
Next week, the Giants hit the road to take on the Falcons in Atlanta. Kickoff on Sunday, Dec. 22, is set for 1:00 p.m.