The New York Giants beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-23 to snap a three-game losing streak, getting back into the NFC East hunt. The Giants offense got off to a slow start and it looked like this team would get blown out after having only one first down in the opening quarter. As bad as they looked, the Ravens weren’t able to fully capitalize on early offensive woes by the Giants.
Most Giants fans held their breath when Odell Beckham was taken out of the game in the middle of the second quarter. The game turned around for the offense the moment Jimmy Smith left the game the first time. He came back a few plays later, but he looked a little shaky. Beckham was listed as questionable to return with a hip injury, but he surprised most people coming back on the field with 1:01 left on the clock before halftime.
Jimmy Smith didn’t come back on the field to begin the second half with a concussion injury and the offense was able to move the ball a lot easier with him being out of the game. Beckham took advantage of Smith being out the most since he was not able to do much of anything in the first half only having two catches for 11 yards. His hip didn’t seem to bother him at all when he broke a big 75-yard touchdown catch for the Giants to get their first lead of the game, up 17-13 against the Ravens. Beckham wasn’t done there as he also had a game-winning 66-yard touchdown to end what was a career day for him.
Manning threw the ball to Sterling Shepard in double and triple coverage multiple times in this game with two of them being intercepted. The second one turned into three points for the Ravens with them now having 13 points off turnovers. The production from the receiver has dropped off the last few games, but will be an important player for the Giants if they hope to make the playoffs. Another concern has to be the lack of a running game and Ben McAdoo is going to have to figure out a way to get the backs going.
The linebackers partially Landon Collins had his best game of the season with 12 tackles and a sack getting pressure on Joe Flacco all day. There were questionable calls being made all game, but the Giants fought through it having their most complete game of the season. Manning finished the game completing 32-of-46 of his passes for 403 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Beckham was the MVP of the game with 8 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Flacco wasn’t able to get comfortable all game and only completed 26-of-48 for 307 yards, while Mike Wallace had 4 catches for 97 yards.
The Giants pass protection was very good today and hopefully, this game will give Manning confidence going into next week. They got a much-needed win and if they lost this game their season is likely over. They had had a tough schedule to start the season, but it begins to soften up with the Los Angeles Rams as the next team they face on their slate.
