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…
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