NY Giants’ Daniel Jones to start must-win game vs. Baltimore Ravens

Daniel Jones is expected to start for the NY Giants, after missing last week’s loss to the Browns.

The NY Giants’ playoff hopes likely hinge on the outcome of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, and quarterback Daniel Jones is expected to be back at the helm, a source confirms to GMenHQ.

Jones is expected to start Week 16, after missing last Sunday night’s loss to the Cleveland Browns due to a left ankle sprain suffered two weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals and the lingering effects of a right hamstring injury suffered in a Week 12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL Network was first to report Jones’ likely return.

More importantly to the NY Giants, and their hopes of winning the NFC East, is how effective Jones is able to be on Sunday, after he was very clearly limited against the Cardinals while getting sacked eight times.

The Giants will need Jones to be much more mobile, and effective on Sunday, than he was two weeks ago when he completed just 52.3 percent of his passes for 127 yards as the Giants scored just seven points.

As that loss illustrates, if Jones is unable to make plays with his legs, or evade pressure, the Ravens’ swarming defense has the chance to dominate this team.

The Giants need to beat the Ravens in order to remain alive in the NFC East playoff race, and potentially set the stage for Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys to potentially decide the division race.

The Giants and Ravens kickoff at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.