NY Giants Grades: Ravens burry Giants in a first-half frenzy

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 27: Inside linebacker Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles wide receiver Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants by his shirt tail during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 27: Inside linebacker Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles wide receiver Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants by his shirt tail during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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NY Giants
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Safety Xavier McKinney #29 of the New York Giants tackles running back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens short of the goal line during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

S Xavier McKinney

Grade: B

Rookie Xavier McKinney had the most productive game of his young career.

McKinney has been gradually seeing more and more of the defensive snaps since coming back from his pre-season injury, and this game he showed he can hang with the Giants starters if given more time.

He finished with 8 tackles. While that’s nothing to be wowed over, it’s as much as his past two starts combine. And only Blake Martinez finished with more this week.

Cornerback Logan Ryan, who just signed a three-year contract extension, also finished with eight tackles. So did linebacker Tae Crowder.

But seeing McKinney as productive as these players should give the Giants hope that they have another piece to their defense going forward.

McKinney’s productivity was a rare, slim bright spot in an otherwise ugly display by the defense.

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