Lamar Jackson’s 5 TDs launch Ravens past Giants; New York in driver’s seat for No. 1 pick: Key takeaways

By Charlotte Carroll, Jeff Zrebiec and RJ Kraft

Lamar Jackson’s five touchdown passes led the way for the Baltimore Ravens in a 35-14 win over the New York Giants. The victory inches the Ravens even closer to securing a playoff spot in the AFC.

Jackson connected with wide receiver Rashod Bateman for two touchdowns and tight end Mark Andrews, rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker and running back Justice Hill for one score each. Andrews’ first quarter touchdown set him as the Ravens’ franchise TD leader at 48. The veteran tight end has been on a touchdown tear with eight TDs in his last nine games.

Mark Andrews becomes Baltimore’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns 👏

📺: #BALvsNYG on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/iiJghXLY2d

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

The loss, which is the Giants’ ninth straight, positions New York (2-12) for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft for now — pending the result of the Las Vegas Raiders’ Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Giants, 0-8 at home, have one more game at MetLife Stadium (in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts).

Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito was ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion that saw him leave the game in the second quarter. Tim Boyle replaced DeVito with Drew Lock, who started last week, was inactive with a heel injury and listed as the team’s emergency third quarterback.

In Week 16, Baltimore (9-5) will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a pivotal AFC North showdown on Saturday. New York will take to the road to play the Falcons on Sunday.

Ravens took care of business

There was no statement the Ravens could make against a bad and extremely banged-up Giants team. Playing their first of three games in an 11-day span, the Ravens just needed to take care of business and they did that, building a three-touchdown lead in the third quarter and then coasting from there.

It wasn’t exactly a tour de force improvement for the Ravens. Jackson fumbled deep in Giants territory on Baltimore’s first drive. The defense all but handed the Giants a second-quarter touchdown by committing four penalties for 41 yards on one drive. However, the Ravens were plenty good enough and all that mattered was getting their ninth win, staying mostly healthy and moving toward Saturday’s showdown with Pittsburgh. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer

Don’t dismiss Jackson’s MVP chances just yet

Jackson set the tone after the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, promising that his team would be ready to go after the bye week. All week, Jackson’s energy and focus were evident in practice. He then went out and had a near perfect game beyond the first-drive fumble. He was 21-of-25 for 290 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 65 yards rushing on six carries.

Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley are obviously having MVP-level seasons. Yet, Jackson has to still be in the mix for his third MVP trophy. He’ll enter Week 16 with 3,580 passing yards, 34 TDs, three INTs, 743 rushing yards and three rushing TDs. He’s in the middle of the best season of his career. — Zrebiec

Boyle enters the Giants’ QB mix

The Giants might be on a nine-game losing streak, but the quarterback back and forth is keeping at least something interesting. Since Daniel Jones was benched and later released, the Giants have only gone two weeks with the same starting quarterback. Injuries have disrupted the position group. Boyle became the fourth quarterback to take snaps for the Giants this year after DeVito exited with a concussion. Boyle finished 12-for-24 for 123 yards, a touchdown and interception. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

Required reading

(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images )