There were so many differences and disparities with what was out on the field at MetLife Stadium on another Sunday that put on display what the Giants are, what they are not and how far they have to go to dig out of one of the deepest ruts in franchise history.
It could take hours to determine why it was Ravens 35, Giants 14 and why the home team has lost nine consecutive games and why there are all sorts of dastardly things coursing through a team and a fan base and the airspace (yes, another message-toting plane) during this hard-to-believe season of repeated losing.
Rising above all else is the way Lamar Jackson performed for his team and the way those at that position employed by the Giants labored through another unsightly showing.
It is about the quarterback, more than anything else.
The Ravens have a great one.
The Giants have cycled through four of them this season and the search will soon be on to find someone to lead them out of this darkness.
“Trying to put great pieces together to win,’’ rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers said. “You got to have all the right pieces together to have a winning program. We’re trying to find those pieces to help us win. That’s really it.’’
Yes, that really is it.
The most important piece to find is the right quarterback.
“I’m not sure yet,’’ Nabers said when asked what specifically is needed to fix the Giants.
“I’m sure upstairs will do a great job trying to find the missing pieces so I’m gonna leave it there to do that.”
Whether it is general manager Joe Schoen making that call and head coach Brian Daboll working with that new quarterback remains to be seen.
This was another week, another game and another plea to Giants co-owner John Mara to take action, with the fates of Schoen and Daboll very much up in the air as their third season is shaping up to be historically bad.
Ninety minutes before kickoff, a small aircraft flew overhead toting this message: “Mr. Mara Enough. We Won’t Stop Until You Fire Everyone.’’
This was a more aggressive demand compared to last week’s aerial messaging.
Prior to the 14-11 loss to the Saints, a plane flew across the sky above the stadium carrying a banner that read “Mr. Mara Enough. PLZ Fix This Dumpster Fire.’’
There are three games remaining — one more at home — and the possibility of a 2-15 finish is not only real, it is likely.
That will give the Giants the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, which is why a recent video that showed Nabers tossing the football around with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders — in Manhattan to support his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate, Travis Hunter — allowed for the imagination to wander.
The Giants (2-12) entered the game as a 16.5-point underdog to the Ravens (9-5), the highest point spread in the NFL this season.
It was the largest point spread as an underdog for a home team in the league since at least 1966.
“Played a good team,’’ Daboll said. “They played well. We didn’t play well enough.’’
Daboll did not have much to say but he did once again laud Jackson, who barely broke a sweat.
He tossed five touchdown passes, with his only concern at times choosing which wide-open target to hit running free in the Giants depleted, makeshift secondary.
On touchdown toss No. 5, running back Justice Hill was so wide open for a 29-yard catch-and-run that it was impossible to determine who was at fault, as there was no one on the entire left side of the defense in any sort of coverage.
Jackson sat out half of the fourth quarter, his workday complete, going 21 of 25 for 290 yards for a passer rating of 154.6.
A perfect rating is 158.3.
He also ran six times for 65 yards.
This is all a foreign concept for the Giants.
Tommy DeVito (10 of 13, 68 yards) started at quarterback for the Giants but he did not finish, as he made it through the first half before leaving with a concussion.
That meant Tim Boyle (12 of 24, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) became the fourth Giants quarterback to throw a pass this season, the first time that has happened since 1992 with Phil Simms, Jeff Hostetler, Dave Brown and Kent Graham.
This season, it has been Daniel Jones, DeVito, Drew Lock and Boyle.
“That’s a real long time,’’ receiver Wan’Dale Robinson told The Post. “Definitely haven’t experienced anything like this, getting a throw from four quarterbacks.’’
The 2024 Giants now share an inglorious franchise record, as this matches the longest losing streak in their 100-year history.
So, these Giants take their place with the dregs of the franchise.
“I don’t really know,’’ outside linebacker Brian Burns said about the state of the team after the latest blowout loss. “There wasn’t too much talking after this game. I don’t read anything into it. I think right now everybody’s just processing.’’
The less said about this game and this season, the better.
