Fact or Fiction: Daniel Bellinger’s role; rookie numbers

Dan Salomone: Fact – Well, his last touchdown came against the Ravens as part of a five-catch performance in Week 6 of his rookie year. Two years later, Bellinger was targeted seven times last week and caught five passes for 45 yards (all career highs). Six catches would be a personal best.

Matt Citak: Fact – In his first extended action of the season last week, Bellinger came down with five receptions for 45 yards. This was more production than the third-year tight end had in the first 12 games of the season combined. With Theo Johnson on injured reserve, Bellinger’s role has increased significantly. The Ravens have given up the fifth-most receiving yards to tight ends (825), while their 75 receptions surrendered to the position is tied for the seventh-most.

Dan Salomone: Fact – If planning for two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson wasn’t enough, the Ravens went and added Derrick Henry to the equation this year. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen knows them both well from his time in Tennessee, but this will be the first time he will face the running back outside of a Titans practice.

“He’s an outside linebacker playing running back,” Bowen said. “He’s 250-plus pounds. Runs hard. It’s going to be tough if you let him get downhill. Tough to bring down one-on-one. You’ve got to get hats to the ball. It’s going to take more than one guy. Probably the best stiff-arm guy ever. He uses it as a weapon. Just in my time there, seeing some of the things he was able to do with the stiff arm gives me nightmares this week.”

Matt Citak: Fact – Lamar Jackson is playing like an MVP candidate with a league-high 116.3 passer rating. The ageless Derrick Henry is averaging a career-high 5.9 yards per carry while leading the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns. The two of them have led the Ravens to the most efficient rushing attack in the league. On top of that, the Ravens have a talented corps of pass-catchers in Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. The Ravens are right up there with the Lions and Bills as the top three offenses in the NFL, and since they are the only ones on the Giants’ schedule this season, this one is easy.