The Giants snapped a three-game losing streak thanks to the heroics of Odell Beckham Jr. Here is what we learned from New York's 27-23 victory over the Ravens.
- Beckham has the ability to single-handedly lift a team to victory, and that's what he did against the Ravens. The sometimes strange, always dynamic wide receiver set a career high with 222 yards and two touchdowns, including the 66-yard game winner with 1:24 to play. Six of his eight catches and 211 of his yards came in the final two quarters. Beckham punctuated both scores with more tiresome kicking net bits, and got a potentially costly excessive celebration penalty after his final score, but his overall greatness as a playmaker cannot be overstated.
- The Ravens have now followed a three-game winning streak to start the season with a three-game skid, and injuries are piling up. Cornerback Jimmy Smith left the game with a concussion, helping to set the stage for Beckham's second-half fireworks. Terrell Suggs also exited with an arm injury. Baltimore entered the game without three starters on their offensive line and wide receiver Steve Smith. That the undermanned Ravens took a lead into the final two minutes makes the loss all the more painful.
- A 400-yard, three-touchdown day from Eli Manning should quiet the dumb narrative that age might explain the quarterback's recent slump. Meanwhile, Manning's first TD to Beckham came on a go route that went for 75 yards. It was encouraging to see Manning and the Giants offense get away from their dink-and-dunk high-volume tendencies.
- Terrance West continues to be a difference-maker in the Baltimore backfield. The running back finished with 87 yards on 23 carries with two tough touchdown runs. Kenneth Dixon (two carries) is deep in the rearview.
- The Giants' running game remains a dispiriting work in progress. The return of Rashad Jennings did little to help matters, as Big Blue averaged just 2.3 yards per rush on 17 attempts. Maybe Tiki Barber can launch another comeback attempt?
