Ar’Darius Washington gave the Giants exactly the kind of late-game juice the Ravens have been missing.
In New York’s Week 10 loss, Washington was all over the field and came up with the kind of fourth-quarter sequence Baltimore has not been getting in 2026. With the Giants down three and nine minutes left, he helped force a turnover on downs with back-to-back plays. Then, with just over two minutes remaining and the Giants up four, he picked off Jayden Daniels at the Washington Commanders’ 45-yard line.
ANOTHER INTERCEPTION FOR THE GIANTS.
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- NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2026
The Giants still found a way to lose, but Washington did his part. More importantly for Baltimore, that kind of impact is exactly what’s been missing from the defense.
Washington was one of the free-agent departures Ravens fans saw coming. With John Harbaugh gone and Jesse Minter taking over, a lot of pending free agents were headed elsewhere, and Washington was among them. He ended up with the Giants, and after some time finding his footing, he’s been on a tear over the last few weeks.
He’s been flying around, showing up everywhere and turning that activity into turnovers. That’s the type of energy Baltimore has lacked from its safeties.
Kyle Hamilton is obviously an alien, but beyond him, the group has struggled. Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins have given up too many big plays and, as the source put it, are playing like two of the worst safeties in the NFL.
The issue isn’t just personnel, either. The Ravens simply aren’t getting enough game-changing moments. Washington’s plays on Thursday night were the kind that swing a game, and Baltimore’s defense has not produced nearly enough of them.
The numbers back that up. The Ravens are tied for ninth-worst in the league with only 9 takeaways - 4 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries - and they sit at -2 in turnover differential, tied for 10th-worst.
That’s only part of the problem. The bigger concern is how the team has finished games. The familiar Harbaugh-era pattern is still hanging around, and it’s become hard to ignore.
In nine games, Baltimore’s offense has scored just 35 points in the fourth quarter. The defense has given up 103.
That kind of split is a killer. It’s the opposite of clutch, and it explains why the Ravens keep coming up short when games tighten late.
Washington’s performance didn’t solve anything for New York, but it did put a spotlight on what Baltimore has been missing: closeout plays, statement moments, and a defense that can finish the job in the fourth quarter.
In Other News...
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It was the kind of move that says plenty about where things stand in Baltimore right now. Clevelands quarterback situation has already been a talking point in the division, with Shedeur Sanders starting in a loss to New Orleans, and the Ravens now find themselves needing another arm in a race that is tightening around them. The acquisition of Brissett adds another layer to a situation that already felt unsettled, and it leaves plenty to sort through as the season moves deeper into November. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Tight End Debate Just Got More Painful For Baltimore Fans
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For Ravens fans, the frustration is easy to understand because the team has already extended Andrews even as his output has slipped from previous years. Baltimores record and injury issues have only made the debate louder, especially with Likely thriving in a bigger role and Andrews still carrying the weight of the franchises trust. It leaves the Ravens in a familiar spot, defending a decision that looks increasingly expensive in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Get A Telling Zay Flowers Update As Lamar Wait Continues
Zay Flowers offered a small but telling glimpse into the Ravens quarterback situation this week, saying he has not spoken with Lamar Jackson recently so Jackson can focus on recovering from the thumb injury that has him on injured reserve. It is the kind of update that says as much about the moment around Baltimore as it does about Jackson himself, with the offense now adjusting to life without its star passer while the team tries to steady itself.
Baltimores response has included bringing in Jacoby Brissett to help support the offense, but the bigger picture remains the same: the Ravens are sitting at 4-5 and trying to keep pace in a season that has already forced them into survival mode. Next up is a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and every bit of news around Jackson only adds to the sense that the Ravens are still waiting for their most important answer. [Read more 🡒]