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Instant Analysis: Giants defeat Ravens 24-20 for 3rd straight win

GIANTS-WIN

AT A GLANCE

A week after defeating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in London, 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.

UP NEXT

The Giants won't be back at MetLife Stadium until Nov. 13 vs. Houston. They travel to Jacksonville and Seattle the next two weeks before their Week 9 bye.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

*In a duel of dual-threat quarterbacks, Daniel Jones completed 19 of 27 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Jones became the first QB to beat the last 2 MVP QBs in back-to-back games since Minnesota's Sam Bradford beat Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton in Weeks 2-3, 2016.

*Rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, a promising second-round draft choice, returned to action after suffering a knee injury in the season opener. His first catch was a 15-yard gain on third-and-12 late in the first half. The rookie 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.

*Tight end Daniel Bellinger, another rookie, found the end zone for a second consecutive week and the third time this season. The 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.

*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."

Barkley, 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 Giants once again elevated wide receiver Marcus Johnson from the practice squad. Johnson, who was also activated for the last two games, caught three passes for 35 yards last week in London. Johnson had two catches for 25 yards on Sunday, including an 18-yard gain on third-and-four to keep a late touchdown drive alive.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

*A major storyline all week was defensive coordinator 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. During his time in Baltimore, Martindale won Super Bowl XLVII and consistently had one of the NFL's best defenses.

*The Ravens were held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season. They also scored just 10 points in the first half after averaging 16.4 points in the first two quarters this season. This was in spite of the Ravens outgaining the Giants 256-90 in total yards and controlling the clock for 17:26 in the first two quarters.

*Julian Love had one of his best games in a Giants uniform. After saving 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. The Giants were the last remaining defense without an interception heading into Week 6.

*Kayvon Thibodeaux delivered the game-winning blow on the next drive, strip-sacking Jackson deep in Ravens territory. Leonard Williams, who returned from a three-week absence due to a knee injury, recovered the fumble.

*Outside linebacker 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.

*Defensive lineman 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.

*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.

*On Saturday, the Giants elevated defensive lineman Ryder Anderson from the practice squad. The 6-foot-6, 276-pounder is an undrafted rookie who had yet to appear in a game. Originally signed by the Giants in May, Anderson played four seasons at Ole Miss before concluding his college career at Indiana in 2021. In 50 career games, he totaled 147 tackles (66 solo), 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In 2021, Anderson was named honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches) and the earned the Hoosiers' Chris Dal Sasso Award as the team's most outstanding lineman. His uncle, Mark, was a seven-year NFL veteran defensive end after playing at the University of Alabama (2002-05).

*Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari missed his second consecutive game due to a calf injury. The second-year pro also missed the first two weeks due to injury.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE 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."

*Sunday was also a battle between two of the best kickers in the game. Baltimore's Justin Tucker missed a 56-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, clanking off the left upright. The perennial All-Pro made his other two attempts from 34 and 23 yards. For the Giants, Graham Gano made his lone attempt from 34 yards.

*Gary Brightwell broke a 47-yard kickoff return following Baltimore's first touchdown, which in turn led to the Giants' first touchdown. The second-year running back's previous career high was 24 yards.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

BAL: OT Morgan Moses (heel)

INACTIVES

NYG: CB Cor'Dale Flott, WR Kenny Golladay, S Jason Pinnock, WR Kadarius Toney, OLB Azeez Ojulari

BAL: WR Rashod Bateman, G Ben Cleveland, OLB Justin Houston, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, RB Justice Hill

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