The history between the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants is weird. Seriously. On paper, it looks like a standard cross-conference matchup that happens every four years. But if you actually look at the games, it’s a lopsided, almost surgical display of dominance by the AFC North powerhouse.
Most fans immediately think of Super Bowl XXXV. That game was a bloodbath. The Ravens didn’t just win; they deleted the Giants' offense from the history books for 60 minutes. Kerry Collins, the Giants' quarterback at the time, finished with a 7.1 passer rating. That is not a typo. You could probably get a 7.1 rating just by throwing the ball into the dirt every play. It remains one of the most suffocating defensive performances in the history of the sport, spearheaded by a prime Ray Lewis.
The Lamar Jackson Era vs. The Big Blue Blues
Fast forward to the modern era, and honestly, things haven't gotten much better for New York. When you talk about the Ravens vs New York Giants today, you’re really talking about the "Lamar Jackson Problem."
In their most recent meeting in December 2024, Lamar Jackson did something that actually broke the NFL's statistical tracking for a minute. He became the first player ever to hit 80% completions, 250 passing yards, five touchdowns, zero picks, and over 50 rushing yards in a single game. It was a 35-14 rout at MetLife Stadium that felt even worse than the score indicated. The Giants were decimated by injuries—missing guys like Deonte Banks and Bobby Okereke—and the Ravens just toyed with them.
Interestingly, the Giants did manage to beat Lamar once back in 2022. It was a messy, 24-20 comeback win where the Ravens basically tripped over their own feet in the fourth quarter. But that feels like the exception that proves the rule. Usually, when these two teams meet, Baltimore’s physicality is just too much for New York to handle.
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Why the 2000 Super Bowl Still Haunts This Matchup
You can't talk about these two without acknowledging the scar tissue from January 28, 2001. That game defines the Ravens vs New York Giants rivalry—if you can even call it a rivalry. The Giants came into that Super Bowl hot, having just crushed the Vikings 41-0 in the NFC Championship. People thought they had a chance.
They didn't.
- The Giants' only touchdown came on a kickoff return by Ron Dixon.
- The Ravens responded with a kickoff return touchdown of their own just seconds later.
- New York punted 11 times. Eleven!
- The Ravens defense forced five turnovers.
It established a "big brother, little brother" dynamic that has persisted for over two decades. Even when the Giants had Eli Manning and were winning titles, they struggled to find a rhythm against Baltimore’s hybrid defensive schemes.
Breaking Down the Schematic Nightmare
Why do the Ravens give the Giants so much trouble? It’s mostly about the "Identity Gap." The Giants, especially in the Brian Daboll era, have tried to build a versatile, quick-strike offense. But the Ravens are built to punish that.
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Baltimore’s defense under coaches like Mike Macdonald and now Zach Orr focuses on "illusion of pressure." They make a quarterback think everyone is coming, then drop eight into coverage. For a Giants team that has struggled with offensive line consistency—using seven different starting combinations in 2024 alone—that’s a recipe for disaster.
On the flip side, New York’s defense usually relies on a strong front four. Dexter Lawrence is a literal mountain, but when you’re facing the Ravens, you aren't just blocking a runner. You’re trying to contain a three-headed monster of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and a tight end like Mark Andrews who recently broke the franchise record for career touchdowns. You can stop the run, but then Lamar hits Rashod Bateman for a 49-yard bomb like he did in their 2024 matchup.
What the Numbers Actually Tell Us
If you’re looking at the betting trends or the "all-time" stats, it’s pretty grim for New York. Baltimore leads the series significantly, and the point differential is staggering.
The Giants' struggle is often rooted in their inability to handle Baltimore’s rushing attack. In 2024, even with the Giants knowing exactly what was coming, the Ravens averaged 5.5 yards per carry. When you give up that much ground, you can't control the clock. The Ravens just bleed you out.
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However, there is a glimmer of hope for the Giants in the form of Malik Nabers. During that 2024 loss, Nabers was one of the few bright spots, hauling in 10 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. If the Giants are ever going to turn the tide in this series, it’s going to be because of elite individual playmaking that can bypass the Ravens' structural defensive advantages.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you are watching the next Ravens vs New York Giants game, here is what you actually need to look for. Don't get distracted by the pre-game hype. Focus on these three specific areas:
- The First 15 Minutes: The Ravens are front-runners. If they get a 7-0 or 10-0 lead, they start using the "Henry Hammer" and the game is basically over. The Giants have to score first to force Lamar to play from the pocket.
- O-Line Continuity: Check the Giants' injury report. If they are shuffling guards or playing a backup tackle, Baltimore's blitz packages will create at least two turnovers. It's a guarantee.
- The Nabers Factor: The Ravens' secondary can be "burnable" on deep posts. If the Giants can protect long enough for Nabers to get vertical, they can stay in the game.
The reality of the Ravens vs New York Giants is that it’s a clash of cultures. One team is the gold standard for consistency and physical identity, and the other is a legacy franchise trying to find its footing in a new era. Until the Giants can match Baltimore’s grit in the trenches, the "Super Bowl 35 vibes" are going to keep repeating themselves.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 2024 Week 15 highlights to see how the Ravens utilized Rashod Bateman to exploit the Giants' secondary.
- Track Malik Nabers' target share; he is the only Giant currently capable of stressing the Baltimore defense.
- Monitor the Ravens' penalty count, as John Harbaugh noted that discipline (12 penalties for 112 yards in their last meeting) is the only thing that keeps opponents in the game.