EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants’ 100th season has officially turned into one of the worst in franchise history. A crushing 35-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday marked their ninth straight defeat, tying a franchise record, and dropped the team to 2-12. As fans continue to voice their frustrations—literally flying banners over MetLife Stadium—the organization faces harsh truths about its leadership, roster, and direction.
The Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson’s dazzling performance, exposed just how far behind the Giants are in terms of talent and execution. Jackson tied his career-high with five touchdown passes while completing 21 of 25 throws for 290 yards. He also rushed for 65 yards, showing the kind of playmaking ability that the Giants desperately lack at the quarterback position.
“I started out slow with that turnover. I was hot about that,” Jackson said, referring to his early fumble that gave the Giants a brief glimmer of hope. “I was ticked off. I just had to lock in and play Ravens football, and that’s what we did.”
Baltimore dominated every phase of the game. Jackson’s touchdowns came with surgical precision: 49 and 20-yard strikes to Rashod Bateman, a 13-yard connection to Mark Andrews, a 21-yarder to Devontez Walker, and a 27-yard catch-and-run to Justice Hill. Jackson’s quarterback rating of 154.6 was just shy of a perfect 158.3. He now has 34 touchdown passes this season.
Head coach John Harbaugh praised Jackson’s command of the offense. “He’s been locked in all season. He’s on the guys in meetings, in walk-throughs, everything. He’s keeping it about football and getting the football right,” Harbaugh said.
Meanwhile, the Giants looked overmatched from start to finish. A forced fumble and recovery by Adoree’ Jackson on Baltimore’s first possession offered brief optimism, but it quickly evaporated. New York’s defense, depleted by injuries, couldn’t stop Jackson and the Ravens’ relentless attack. Missing starters Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, and Tyler Nubin in the secondary, the Giants were exposed repeatedly on third downs, where Baltimore converted 8 of 9 attempts.
The Giants’ Offensive Woes
The Giants’ offense was equally ineffective. Starting quarterback Tommy DeVito struggled before leaving the game late in the second quarter with a concussion. DeVito completed 10 of 13 passes for 68 yards before backup Tim Boyle stepped in. Boyle fared no better, going 12 of 24 for 123 yards, one late touchdown, and an interception.
Rookie standout Malik Nabers was one of the lone bright spots. He hauled in 10 catches for 82 yards and scored the Giants’ only meaningful touchdown—a 23-yard grab late in the fourth quarter. Nabers now sits just one reception shy of the Giants’ rookie record of 91, shared by Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley. He also needs 99 more yards to reach 1,000 for the season.
Despite Nabers’ heroics, the Giants’ offensive line remains a disaster. Evan Neal, the No. 7 pick from 2022, continued to struggle, adding more evidence that he may be a draft bust. New York’s running game was also nonexistent, with Devin Singletary scoring a 2-yard touchdown but managing just 28 rushing yards overall.
“It doesn’t feel good to lose,” Neal said after the game. “I just want to get a win at this point. But all you can do is get back to the chopping block and work.”
Fan Frustration Boils Over
The loss marked the Giants’ eighth consecutive home defeat, extending their franchise record for futility at MetLife Stadium. Disillusioned fans made their frustrations clear before kickoff, as a small plane circled the stadium carrying a blunt message for team co-owner John Mara: “Mr. Mara Enough — We won’t stop until you fire everyone.”
This was the second straight week that a banner flew overhead imploring Mara to clean house. Last week, before the Giants’ loss to New Orleans, the message read: “Mr. Mara, enough. Please fix this dumpster fire!”
With the Giants likely heading toward their worst record in franchise history, fan outrage is justified. Since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012, the Giants have made the playoffs just twice and have endured seven losing seasons in the past eight years. Their record since 2017 (39-88-1) is second-worst in the NFL, ahead of only the New York Jets.
A Leadership Crisis
The calls for firings are not without merit. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are in their third season, yet the team has regressed significantly under their leadership. After a surprising 9-7-1 playoff season in 2022, the Giants fell to 6-11 last year and now sit at a dismal 2-12.
Schoen’s draft record is particularly troubling. His first two drafts have yielded few long-term building blocks. Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 5 overall pick in 2022, has been inconsistent, with just three sacks in nine games this season. Evan Neal, the No. 7 pick, has been one of the worst right tackles in the league. Other draft picks—like John Michael Schmitz, Jalin Hyatt, and Deonte Banks—have failed to impress.
The lack of talent on the roster is evident. Outside of Malik Nabers, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Andrew Thomas, there are few players who look like future cornerstones. The Giants are still searching for answers at quarterback, right tackle, tight end, and several defensive positions.
“We just have to do a couple of things a little bit better to get it back in the right direction,” wide receiver Darius Slayton said. But at 2-12, the problems run far deeper than a few tweaks.
The Quarterback Dilemma
The Giants’ biggest need is at quarterback, but addressing it won’t be easy. New York is on track for a top-two pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the upcoming class lacks clear-cut quarterback talent. General manager Joe Schoen will face a dilemma: draft the best available player or take a chance on a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, or Quinn Ewers.
History shows that franchise quarterbacks don’t always come from the top of the draft. Lamar Jackson was the 32nd pick. Patrick Mahomes went 10th, and Jalen Hurts fell to 53rd. But finding that diamond in the rough requires a front office that has shown it can evaluate talent—something Schoen’s regime has yet to prove.
What Comes Next?
With three games left in the season, including the home finale on Dec. 28 or 29 against the Colts, the Giants are at a crossroads. Stability in leadership is crucial for long-term success in the NFL, but sticking with the wrong regime can set a franchise back years. Mara must decide whether to stay the course or make sweeping changes.
“These guys are doing everything they can do,” Daboll said after Sunday’s loss. “Ran into a good football team with a lot of good football players, and they played well, and we didn’t play well.”
For fans, those words ring hollow. The Giants aren’t just losing—they’re uncompetitive. Sunday’s blowout was the latest in a string of lopsided defeats that highlight the team’s inability to keep pace with the NFL’s elite.
With the franchise celebrating its centennial season, this year was supposed to be a celebration of Giants football. Instead, it’s become a grim reminder of how far the team has fallen. The Giants’ 14.85 points per game is among the lowest in franchise history, and their winless home record brings back memories of the team’s infamous 1974 season.
The situation feels like rock bottom, but as any Giants fan knows, things can always get worse. Unless significant changes are made, the Giants risk extending their futility for years to come.
Planes will almost certainly return for the Giants’ home finale. Whether Mara and the organization listen to the noise remains to be seen. One thing is clear: this team didn’t get here by accident, and those responsible have shown little evidence that they can clean up the mess.