Penalties are still a big problem for the Ravens.

The Baltimore Ravens entered their game against the New York Giants with high expectations, particularly after a bye week to rest and recharge. And for the most part, they lived up to those expectations, securing a commanding 35-14 victory. Even with a turnover on the opening drive, the Ravens thoroughly outclassed a depleted and struggling Giants team. Lamar Jackson turned in a stellar performance, throwing for five touchdowns in a display that only added to his MVP resume. Despite the overall dominance, however, one significant issue remained: penalties.

Baltimore finished the game with 12 penalties, costing them 112 yards. While some of the calls may have been questionable, the sheer volume of infractions was concerning. This problem was especially evident during the Giants’ first touchdown drive, which saw the Ravens commit four penalties for 41 yards on an 80-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.

Penalties have been a recurring issue for the Ravens throughout the season, and it was frustrating to see it continue despite the extended break. Head coach John Harbaugh addressed the penalty problems in his post-game comments, acknowledging the team’s struggles with certain calls, particularly pass interference and roughing the passer penalties.

Harbaugh noted, “The biggest thing was the pass interference calls… They called it tight. Those are tight, tight called plays there in terms of pass interference, so we have to adjust.” He went on to add, “For roughing the passer, you have to find a way to get off to the side. You have to find a way to do it, so we’ll be drilling it.”

The Ravens were able to survive these miscues against the lowly Giants, but the stakes will be higher in the coming weeks, especially with a crucial AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the horizon. Harbaugh pointed out that many of the Giants’ drives were extended due to penalties, and if it weren’t for those mistakes, those drives might not have even occurred. The coach stressed the importance of working on discipline, noting that the Ravens would focus on addressing these technique issues in practice leading up to the Steelers game.

The Ravens will need to be much more disciplined going forward, particularly as they face tougher competition. As Harbaugh stated, “We’ll be working on those. Those are kind of technique things that we just have to do a good job of working on because that’s really … Their drives were penalty-inspired.”

With a short week before their Saturday showdown with the Steelers, Baltimore’s coaching staff will need to work diligently to address these issues. The penalties are not something the Ravens can afford to continue committing, especially as they prepare for a tough divisional contest. Against a team like Pittsburgh, mistakes like these can prove to be costly, and Baltimore will need to make adjustments if they want to come out on top.

In addition to the penalty issues, there were plenty of positives in the game against the Giants. Lamar Jackson’s five-touchdown performance was a key highlight, showcasing his playmaking ability and solidifying his case for MVP. Jackson was in complete control of the offense, showing off his arm strength and accuracy as he spread the ball to multiple receivers. The Ravens’ offensive line also did a great job of keeping Jackson protected for most of the game, allowing him to operate without much pressure.

The defense also played a major role in the win, limiting the Giants to just 236 total yards. They were able to shut down New York’s running game, holding them to a mere 88 yards on the ground. Baltimore’s pass rush was consistent, with multiple defenders getting to Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and the secondary did a good job of limiting big plays.

Even though the Ravens were able to survive the penalty issues against a subpar opponent, there are still areas where they need to improve. In particular, the special teams unit had a few hiccups, with a couple of missed opportunities on returns and some breakdowns in coverage. Those mistakes could have been more damaging in a closer game, and it’s something the Ravens will need to clean up moving forward.

Another area where the Ravens will need to focus on improving is their running game. While they did have some success on the ground against the Giants, they’ll need to be more consistent in the coming weeks. Against stronger defenses like the Steelers, Baltimore’s offense can’t rely solely on Lamar Jackson’s arm. A balanced attack will be key to keeping opposing defenses honest and sustaining long drives.

The Ravens’ defense is also far from perfect. Despite holding the Giants to just 14 points, there were times when they allowed easy completions to Taylor, and they’ll need to be more aggressive against better quarterbacks. The upcoming game against the Steelers will be a much more difficult test, as Pittsburgh’s offense is capable of putting up points in a hurry.

That being said, Baltimore has the talent to go on a deep playoff run, but they need to address these recurring mistakes if they want to truly be contenders. The penalties are a glaring issue that needs to be fixed immediately, and with the quick turnaround before the Steelers game, the Ravens will need to come out focused and disciplined. If they can clean up the penalties and continue to play at a high level on both offense and defense, they should be able to take down Pittsburgh and continue their march toward the postseason.

As Harbaugh mentioned, these are “technique things” that can be worked on, and it’s clear that the Ravens will prioritize discipline and execution over the next few days. While they were able to handle the Giants with relative ease, the challenge ahead will be much tougher. Baltimore knows that they must play mistake-free football if they hope to stay on top of the AFC North and ultimately achieve their championship aspirations.

As they prepare for the showdown with the Steelers, the Ravens’ focus will be on addressing these discipline issues, as they can’t afford to let penalties dictate the outcome of their games. Against better teams, those mistakes can lead to missed opportunities, and ultimately, losses. The Ravens know they are capable of playing much cleaner football, and they will need to show that in the coming weeks if they want to make a serious run at the playoffs.