Baltimore @ New York preview
MetLife Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2020 ) N.Y. Giants 13, Baltimore 27
Two of the NFL's top rushing offenses meet on Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Giants (4-1) own the league's second-ranked rushing attack at 179 yards per game, trailing only the Cleveland Browns (192.4), while the Ravens (3-2) are seventh at 144.6 yards per game.
The Ravens took over the top spot in the AFC North Division on Sunday when Justin Tucker kicked a 43-yard field goal with no time remaining to rally Baltimore to a 19-17 win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
The New York Giants continued to emerge as one of the more surprising teams in the league after rallying from a 10-point, third-quarter deficit for a 27-22 win over the Green Bay Packers in London.
"Quite honestly, my focus is on trying to do what we need to do each week and be as consistent as we can," Giants coach Brian Daboll said. "Whether we're 4-1, 1-4, whatever our record is, that's what our record is. It's always about improvement and trying to do the best job you can each week to play your best and coach your best."
Led by quarterback Lamar Jackson's 58 yards on 12 carries, both team highs, and J.K. Dobbins' 44 yards on eight attempts, the Ravens rushed for 155 yards against the Bengals on 28 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per attempt.
The Giants, however, struggled to run the ball against the Packers. Saquon Barkley rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, but no other Giants ran for more than Daniel Jones' 37 yards on 10 rushing attempts. The Giants finished with 125 yards on 31 attempts.
Barkley, who was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury, is second in the league with 533 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries.
"He's a good all-around -- great all-around -- running back and a heart and soul of their offense," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Barkley, who is already just 60 yards shy of his entire 2021 output.
Jackson has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,067 yards, with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 374 yards -- ninth-most in the NFL -- and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Jones has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 848 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, in addition to rushing for 230 yards and two scores on 41 attempts.
"He's been making plays out of the pocket that I didn't really expect to see," Harbaugh said. "He's really made a big difference for them -- throwing and running around."
The biggest change the Ravens will make on Sunday will be at safety. Marcus Williams, the team's biggest free-agent signing this past offseason, was placed on injured reserve after dislocating his wrist in the win against the Bengals.
Williams, who has a team-high three interceptions this season, will be replaced by Geno Stone, with first-round pick Kyle Hamilton backing him up.
Receiver Rashod Bateman (foot), guard Ben Cleveland (foot), running back Justice Hill (hamstring) and linebacker Justin Houston (groin) didn't practice Wednesday and the Ravens will wait until later in the week to determine their status for Sunday.
For the Giants, rookie defensive end D.J. Davidson was put on injured reserve on Tuesday after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the win against the Packers.
The Giants had five players who didn't practice on Wednesday and their statuses for Sunday are unknown -- cornerbacks Cordale Flott (calf) and Jason Pinnock (ankle), receivers Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and Kenny Golladay (knee), along with safety Tony Jefferson (foot).
They also had eight others who were limited at practice -- cornerbacks Darnay Holmes (quad) and Adoree' Jackson (knee/neck), receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (knee), tight end Chris Myarick (ankle), linebackers Azeez Ojulari (calf), defensive end Leonard Williams (knee), quarterback Tyrod Taylor (concussion) and Barkley.
Punter Jamie Gillan missed practice on Wednesday because he was flying home from London after a passport issue prevented him from returning home with his teammates following their game on Sunday.
--Field Level Media