Lex Of It: Giants Thrilling Performance Defeat Ravens 24-20
The Giants came back against another MVP quarterback in a 24-20 victory over Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Giants improved to 5-1 on the season, while the Ravens fell to 3-3. What did we learn about Big Blue as a team in the whole?
The New York Giants fended off the surging Baltimore Ravens team that came into Metlife Stadium this week’s matchup. Big Blue once again late in the second half pulled in front to take over and win the game. In this article we will teach you what we have learned about Big Blue.
What We Learned About The Giants?
About Offense?
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones played a quality game manager style game. Throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions, he was sharp and precise to help the G-Men upset the Ravens at home. D.J. became the first QB to beat the last 2 MVP QBs in back-to-back games since Minnesota’s Sam Bradford in 2016.
Rookie Wide Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson came up clutch again later in the drive, hauling in his first career touchdown on a five-yard pass from Jones on another third down near the goal line. Robinson, a promising second-round draft choice, returned to action after suffering a knee injury in the season opener.
Rookie Tight End Daniel Bellinger, a fourth-round pick hauled in an eight-yard touchdown to bring the Giants to within three points of the Ravens with 6:01 left in the game. It was one of Bellinger’s five catches for 38 yards.
Saquon, who was limited this week in practice with a shoulder issue, rushed 22 times for 83 yards, including a one-yard touchdown dive into the end zone to put the Giant ahead 24-20 with 1:43 remaining.
*The creativity on offense was once again evident, including the use of running back Saquon Barkley in the wildcat formation. “I just listen to the rules that I’m told and follow it,” Barkley said this week about taking direct snaps. “That’s really all I do. The guy I got to read, read him. If he does this, do one thing. If he does that, do another. That’s really it. When the ball is in my hand, try to make a play and whether it’s running with it or making the right decision and handing it off.”
About Defense?
A major storyline all week was D.C Wink Martindale facing his former team for the first time. Martindale spent the previous 10 seasons on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, the last four as defensive coordinator.
Safety Julian Love had one of his best games in a Big Blue uniform. Defended against two touchdowns earlier in the game, the do-it-all safety intercepted Lamar Jackson late in the fourth quarter of a three-point game and returned it 27 yards to the Ravens 13.
Love said this week that Baltimore’s Mark Andrews is “one of the best tight ends in the league” and is “less flash and really all substance.” Love and the Giants saw that up close on Sunday as Andrews hauled in seven passes for 106 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown catch that put the Ravens up 20-10 with 12:54 left in the game.
Kayvon Thibodeaux delivered the game-winning blow, strip-sacking Jackson and Leonard Williams, who returned from a three-week absence due to a knee injury, recovered the fumble. DLM Dexter Lawrence continued his torrid streak, recording his fourth sack in the last three games. The fourth-year pro had just nine in his first three seasons combined. His four sacks this season already match his career high, which he set in 2020.
Jihad Ward, also playing against his old team, tackled running back J.K. Dobbins for a two-yard loss on the second play of the game. It was his first of two tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
About Special Teams?
Punter Jamie Gillan, whose return from London was delayed due to a visa issue, had two punts downed inside the 20.
“To clear things up for you guys, there was no ‘stuck in London’ or anything like that,” Gillan, a Scottish native, said this week. “This is something that we knew we had to do for a while. I just had to get my passport, P1 Visa, extended to get back into the country. So, we did. Humongous thanks to the Giants’ organization and Laurie Tisch for allowing that to happen, talking to the right people and the people at the U.S. Embassy. Fantastic people there. They were really helpful because those people were quite involved. We had a goal to get me back in two days and we did. We did it, so I’m back here.”
Giants Gridiron Affiliate NFL +
Wholesome 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ykVjW1mqz8 — New York Giants (@Giants) October 16, 2022