Ravens Look to Pounce on Struggling Giants in Crucial Matchup
The Baltimore Ravens (8-5) return from their bye week refreshed and focused on solidifying their playoff positioning as they visit the New York Giants (2-11) on Sunday. With an AFC wild-card spot in hand and an outside shot at the AFC North title, the Ravens aim to finish the season strong. Meanwhile, the Giants hope to end an eight-game skid and secure their first home win of the season.
Ravens Refreshed After Bye Week
For the Ravens, the bye week came at an opportune time after a narrow 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Lamar Jackson welcomed the break.
“Games have just been going crazy for us,” Jackson said. “We took a little deep breath, took a step back, relaxed.”
Baltimore holds the fifth seed in the AFC, two games behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers with four games left, including a critical Week 16 matchup against Pittsburgh. The team recognizes the importance of maintaining momentum during the final stretch of the regular season.
“In all professional sports, especially in football, it’s a grueling season,” said safety Kyle Hamilton. “If you have confidence going into the playoffs, going into that stretch, then I feel like anything can happen.”
Dynamic Ravens Offense
Baltimore’s offense is powered by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, who leads the NFL with a 116.3 passer rating and ranks second with 29 touchdown passes. Jackson has also contributed 678 rushing yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
The ground game is bolstered by running back Derrick Henry, who is tied for the league lead with 13 rushing touchdowns and ranks second with 1,407 yards. Despite the suspension of wide receiver Diontae Johnson, Baltimore’s offense remains potent and capable of overwhelming opponents.
“Who’s gonna win in December, who’s gonna win in January, who’s gonna have an opportunity in February, that remains to be seen,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re gonna try to play our best football here at the end of the season.”
Giants Turn to DeVito Amid Struggles
The Giants’ season has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, and they’ll once again make a change at quarterback. With Drew Lock sidelined by a heel injury, Tommy DeVito will start under center. DeVito, who struggled in a Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is looking for a chance to prove himself.
“You always got to be ready for whatever happens,” DeVito said. “Obviously, it’s been a little bit of a crazy situation this whole year. You just got to stay ready.”
Despite their challenges, the Giants are maintaining a focus on player development, particularly among their young players.
“There’s always a bigger picture,” said linebacker Brian Burns. “Falling in love with the process of getting better, especially these young guys. We got a lot of young guys playing on this defense and they need to evolve.”
Key Matchups
- Lamar Jackson vs. Giants’ Defense: The Giants will need to contain Jackson, whose ability to throw and run makes him one of the league’s most dangerous players.
- Derrick Henry vs. Giants’ Run Defense: Henry’s physical running style will test a New York defense that has struggled to stop the run.
- Tommy DeVito vs. Ravens’ Defense: DeVito faces a tough challenge against a Baltimore defense that has been solid throughout the season.
Injury Updates
The Ravens will be without suspended wide receiver Diontae Johnson, but the rest of their roster appears relatively healthy. The Giants, meanwhile, saw standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers limited in practice with a hip injury, adding to their offensive woes.
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What to Watch
- Ravens’ Post-Bye Performance: Will Baltimore come out sharp and focused after their week off?
- Giants’ Resilience: Can New York put up a fight against one of the AFC’s top teams, or will their struggles continue?
- Lamar Jackson’s MVP Push: Jackson’s play has been instrumental in the Ravens’ success. Will he deliver another standout performance?
Outlook
The Ravens enter the game as heavy favorites, boasting a superior record, dynamic offense, and playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Giants are reeling but have an opportunity to disrupt Baltimore’s postseason plans. While the Ravens appear poised to capitalize on their bye week, the Giants’ home-field determination and the unpredictability of the NFL could make for an intriguing matchup.