This was a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions, and the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-13 victory over the New York Giants did nothing to reverse those trends.
Editor's note: All of PFF's grades and advanced stats from this game will be finalized and made available to ELITE subscribers within 24 hours of the final whistle.
STORY OF THE GAME
The tough Giants defense that people were starting to get behind toward the middle of the season has fallen back down to earth in recent weeks. New York had few answers for the Ravens offense in this one.
Baltimore averaged at least 6.0 yards per play both through the air (7.2 yards) and on the ground (6.0 yards). Lamar Jackson didn’t pile up a massive yardage total through the air, but he was efficient when he did pass, with an adjusted completion percentage of 82.6%. Mark Andrews was Jackson’s primary target with a team-high 76 receiving yards and a pair of contested catches.
On the ground, each of Jackson, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards had over 75 rushing yards, and the Ravens’ rushers combined to pick up 14 first downs and a touchdown on the ground. It was a strong showing against a Giants defense whose strength is their run-stuffing interior defenders.
If the Ravens can get back to the offense that we saw from for much of last season — which we’ve started to see this over the last several weeks — they’ll be dangerous in the postseason, assuming they secure one of the Wild Card spots.
ROOKIE WATCH
Andrew Thomas and Shane Lemieux were both charged with sacks allowed, and neither player excelled in pass protection or in the run-blocking department in this matchup. Matt Peart rounded out the rookies along the offensive line — he handled 17 snaps at right tackle, allowing multiple pressures in that time.
J.K. Dobbins continues to split time with Edwards in the backfield with Mark Ingram sidelined. He averaged 7.0 yards per attempt on his 11 carries with nearly five of those seven yards per attempt coming before contact. But Dobbins dropped his only target of the game.
Tae Crowder and Xavier McKinney both saw 45-plus snaps for the Giants defense. Pending review, Crowder was charged with three receptions allowed in coverage for 40 yards and was charged with a missed tackle against the run. McKinney spent most of his time deep at free safety (37 of 46 snaps), and the Giants’ deep coverage held up well. Jackson did not complete a pass 20 or more yards downfield in the game.
For the Ravens, Patrick Queen had one of his stronger games of the season in coverage but made just four tackles while missing another. That would be his 22nd missed tackle on the season. He did pick up a few pressures on unblocked opportunities, as well.
It was another week where Justin Madubuike made a play for the Ravens, coming up with a sack on one of his 12 pass-rushing snaps in the game. His development late in the season is promising for Baltimore heading into 2021.
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