As the New York Giants prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens on their home turf this Sunday, they do so under the heavy weight of history—and not the kind they would like to commemorate. The Giants enter the matchup as 16.5-point underdogs, marking the first time in nearly 60 years that they've been such significant underdogs in their own stadium. To find a comparable scenario, one must rewind the clock to 1966 when the Giants were getting battered with a season record that ended at 1-12-1.
This season, the Giants aren't far off that dismal mark with their current record standing at 2-11. Meanwhile, the Ravens come into this game in much better shape, sporting an 8-5 record as they look to solidify their playoff positioning. For Baltimore, being a heavy favorite is familiar territory. Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Ravens have gone 36-0 when favored by more than 10.5 points, a remarkable statistic that highlights their reliability in these scenarios.
Quarterback Conundrum
The Giants' chances are further hindered by their quarterback situation. Drew Lock, expected to be a key player this season, is sidelined with a heel injury and has been seen in a walking boot. In Lock's absence, Tommy DeVito steps up to start for just the second time this season. In his Week 12 appearance against the Buccaneers, DeVito put up respectable numbers, completing 21 of 31 pass attempts for 189 yards. Yet, he failed to notch a touchdown or interception in that outing, raising questions about his ability to spark an offense that's been largely stagnant this year.
The task for DeVito and the Giants is enormous. With the Ravens’ sturdy defense looming, the Giants' offensive line will have to provide DeVito with not only protection but also the confidence to go through his reads effectively. Anything less and the Giants are likely looking at another mark in the loss column.
A Monumental Task
Historically, overcoming such a betting spread has been rare. The last time an NFL team overcame a similar large point spread was in 2020 when the Denver Broncos faced a 16.5-point slide against the Saints. They fell short, as so many others have in similar predicaments. And, going back further to 2019, the Miami Dolphins were 18-point underdogs against the New England Patriots—a matchup that also ended in predictable fashion with a Patriots victory.
The Giants will have to defy these historical precedents if they hope to eke out a victory against Baltimore, making Sunday's game a potential David vs. Goliath story in the modern football era.
Looking for a Silver Lining
Despite the bleak outlook, games aren’t won or lost on paper. The Giants can find solace in the unpredictability of sports. Any given Sunday can bring unforeseen triumphs. With Lock likely out and the established underdog status, the Giants have little to lose and everything to play for in front of their home crowd. For Tommy DeVito, it's another audition to solidify his standing in the league and perhaps carve out a more permanent spot on the Giants' roster or elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Ravens come into the game with a different set of pressures. Winning as heavy favorites is expected, yet any misstep can bring about massive scrutiny and potential chaos to their playoff aspirations. For Baltimore, maintaining focus and executing at a high level will be crucial, something that has come naturally to them in similar situations in the past.
The stakes are clearly defined ahead of this compelling weekend clash. As the Giants get ready to face a formidable opponent in the Ravens as the largest home underdogs since 1966, both teams carry their narratives onto the field hoping for an outcome that suits their respective seasons' journeys.