The New York Giants’ revolving door at quarterback spun once again on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, and while the outcome was the same—another crushing loss—rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers continues to emerge as a bright spot amid the team’s struggles.
In the Giants’ 38-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the offensive instability was on full display. With Tommy DeVito forced out at halftime due to a concussion, Tim Boyle entered the game, becoming the fourth Giants quarterback to take regular-season snaps this year—following Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and DeVito. The last time New York trotted out four different QBs in a season was 1992, an era well before head coach Brian Daboll’s time, and it underscores the ongoing challenges of a season spiraling toward the wrong side of history.
“Yeah, these guys are doing everything they can,” Daboll said postgame. “We ran into a good football team with a lot of good players, and they played well, and we didn’t play well enough.”
Lamar Jackson’s Masterclass
The Ravens, led by former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, showed no mercy. Jackson completed his first eight passes and wound up 21-of-25 for 290 yards and five touchdowns—becoming the first quarterback since Cam Newton in 2015 to throw five TDs against the Giants.
“He’s one of the best in the league, and you saw that out there today,” Daboll said of Jackson. “Again, I’ve said it all week, he’s a fun player to watch, evaluate. No moment too big. He’s a dynamic football player and the leader of that team.”
Baltimore spread the ball around, and wideout Rashod Bateman caught two touchdown passes (49 and 20 yards) in the second quarter, joining a short list of opponents who’ve managed multi-touchdown games against the Giants’ depleted secondary this season. The big plays kept coming, and Daboll acknowledged the struggles on the back end: “We had some coverage busts, and give them credit—they’re a good football team. Lamar’s dynamic.”
Nabers Nearing Records in Rookie Campaign
While the Giants fell short again, Malik Nabers continued his historic pace. Targeted 14 times, the standout rookie grabbed 10 passes for 82 yards and a late touchdown. That brings Nabers to 90 receptions through 12 career games, the second-highest total for a player in his first dozen NFL outings—just one behind Odell Beckham Jr.’s 91 in 2014. With two games left, Nabers is poised to surpass Beckham and Saquon Barkley’s joint Giants rookie record of 91 catches, as well as set his sights on Puka Nacua’s NFL rookie mark of 105 receptions.
For quarterback Tim Boyle, who took his first regular-season snaps as a Giant, the strategy was simple: find No. 1.
“When everything’s equal, number one [Nabers] is pretty special,” Boyle said. “He’s a game-changer, and we’ve got to continue to get him the ball. If things are kind of running around a little bit, I know where number one is.”
Daboll echoed that sentiment and praised the young wideout’s toughness after he made a contested touchdown catch amid intense coverage: “[Nabers] made a nice play … He had two big plays that helped us.”
Defense Shows Moments of Grit
Despite Jackson’s onslaught, the Giants’ defense had its moments. They recorded three sacks—one each by Brian Burns, Dane Belton, and Micah McFadden—marking their highest total since late October.
Belton, filling in for injured safety Tyler Nubin, notched his first sack of the season and second of his career, and also led the team with a career-high 14 tackles.
“Belton led the Giants with a career-high 14 tackles—eight more than his previous best—and knocked down what would have been a long Jackson touchdown pass,” Daboll noted.
For a unit ravaged by injuries—cornerbacks Tae Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, and Dru Phillips were among the inactives, alongside LB Bobby Okereke—these contributions were commendable, if not enough to swing the game.
Quarterback Turnover, Injuries, and a Downward Spiral
The Giants have now lost nine straight games since their last victory in early October, tying the franchise’s single-season record set in 2019. With the team now 0-8 at home, they risk going winless at home for the first time ever in a non-strike season. Injuries continue to decimate the roster. The Giants went to battle against Baltimore without multiple starters, including Andrew Thomas and Jon Runyan Jr. on the offensive line, and Dexter Lawrence on injured reserve.
“Whoever’s available, get them ready to play,” Daboll said, reiterating a common refrain. “We’ve got a young—look, there’s a lot of guys that are in and out and they’re competing. I appreciate the way they’re competing. Just not getting the results.”
Boyle, signed just weeks ago, found himself thrust into action without having taken a single non-scout-team practice rep with the Giants’ offense. “What you saw today was my first time playing with those guys,” Boyle admitted. “It was fun to get out there and play football again.”
Looking Ahead
This latest defeat didn’t come without frustration. Fans flew a banner over MetLife reading “Please fire everybody, Mr. Mara,” a sentiment reflecting the dissatisfaction of the fanbase. Asked about the distraction, Daboll remained resolute: “Just control what we can control. Get ready to go ahead and have a good week, and whoever’s available, get them ready to play.”
For all the hardships, the presence of Malik Nabers provides a silver lining. In a season marred by injuries, instability at quarterback, and a historic losing skid, Nabers’ record-setting pace could give the Giants something to celebrate—and a building block for a more stable, successful future.
“[Nabers] is a special player,” Boyle said. “He’s already a great pro. He knows he’s got to play well on Sundays because we need him on this offense.”
With two games remaining, the Giants will keep searching for answers and continuity, all while hoping that Nabers’ remarkable rookie campaign signals brighter days ahead.
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