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BALTIMORE — The time has come and gone for the Giants to establish a running game, or rediscover their ferocious pass rush, or get Hakeem Nicks back in form, or Jason Pierre-Paul back to his dominating ways. It is too late for any of that being important any more.
The Giants today need to figure out a way to leave M&T Bank Stadium with one more point than the Ravens, no matter how, no matter why. The inconsistency the Giants have shown this season would be maddening if it didn’t come on the heels of last year’s journey from 7-7 to a Super Bowl title.
Maybe the Giants lean on that memory and experience, and kick into gear. Maybe, subconsciously or otherwise, the requisite urgency has been drained from them, and they come up short.
The playoffs are riding on today’s outcome, as the Giants can be eliminated from contention or can seal up an NFC berth depending on what they and others do around the conference. What is clear, though, is beating the Ravens puts the Giants in fine shape for the postseason, and a loss leads them into Week 17 in complete desperation mode.
Who are the 2012 Giants? We find out this afternoon.
“Um, I really don’t know,” Pierre-Paul said. “I know one thing for a fact, I feel like we are one of the best teams in the NFL, but week after week, we come out on top and then we fall back down and then we come out on top and then we are on a losing streak and then we come out on top again. This week our backs are against the wall. We already start our playoffs early. This is a playoff game for us.”
The Ravens (9-5) are beatable but not easy to beat, though they are losers of three straight — including last week’s 34-17 beat-down by the Broncos the same day the Giants were getting hammered 34-0 in Atlanta.
“We were embarrassed and they were embarrassed,” Ravens running back Ray Rice said. “The thing for embarrassment is how you bounce back. You want to go out there and put on a great show for the next game. Obviously, they have a lot at stake, we have a lot at stake.”
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Giants QB Eli Manning. These two probably won’t get within five yards of each other all game, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a critical duel. Reed has four interceptions this season,
61 in his career, along with seven returned for touchdowns. His ball-hawking might get him into the Hall of Fame one day, and when he gets near the ball, his hands are like Velcro.
“He’s just a tremendous athlete and a guy who, if he sees something or he gets a feel of how a quarterback is working in a certain way, he’s going to fly to the ball,” said Manning, who has thrown four interceptions the past two games. “Sometimes, he’ll leave his area, but he makes plays and you always have to have an eye on him.”
RICE CAN COOK
Linebacker Chase Blackburn says when opponents study the Giants defense they should come away with conviction as to the plan of attack. “Try to run the ball,’’ Blackburn said.
Yup, running the ball on the Giants has become a weekly event, and next comes Ray Rice, the most accomplished running back on the schedule. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has struggled and the Giants want to put the game on his shoulders, but what they want and want they get depends on how they deal with Rice.
HIGHLY MOTIVATED
The Giants are not the same without Ahmad Bradshaw, whether he is on the field or on the sideline. It looks as if he will try to play despite a sprained knee, and if he does the key is if he can be effective running the ball because he is not going to be operating at full strength.
“His passion for the game rubs off on everyone,” said guard Chris Snee, who expects to play despite a hip injury. “He’s got tremendous energy and just his physical play inspires people. So I sure hope that he makes the trip down with us and we’re running out of the tunnel together because his energy is infectious.”
The Ravens will not be welcoming back Ray Lewis, who is inactive today. He has missed eight straight games with a torn triceps and hasn’t played since Week 6 vs. the Cowboys.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
The Ravens are known for a heavy dose of defensive pressure, sending blitzes early and often. That could be problematic for the Giants if Bradshaw can’t play or is extremely limited. Rookie David Wilson will have to grow up in a hurry in his pass protection skills, and fullback Henry Hynoski and possibly newcomer Kregg Lumpkin will be tested and in charge of keeping Manning clean.
“They’re one of those teams that’s going to make it difficult to get in a rhythm because they pressure so much,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “They’re going to be willing to gamble and take chances … but what you hope is that there’s going to be some chances for some big plays and you capitalize on them when they’re available.’’
PLENTY OF FLACK FOR JOE
In August, Flacco turned down a multi-year contract extension offer, intent on paying out this season and increasing his value. It hasn’t worked out that way, yet. He is having a down year and an especially down month of December — the Ravens are 0-3 and Flacco has committed six turnovers (three interceptions, three lost fumbles), including an interception last week returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Denver’s Chris Harris.
“He definitely throws a deep ball, definitely one of the strongest arms in the league as a quarterback,” Antrel Rolle said. “He has guys who are a deep threat, Torrey Smith and Jacoby [Jones] and Anquan [Boldin]. But this game is not about them, it’s about us. We have to go out there and get the job done.”
paul.schwartz@nypost.com
PAUL’S PICK
Up, down, up down … that’s the way the past six weeks have been for the Giants and if form holds this is their “up” week. Hard to trust them, though, considering they have lost three straight on the road. Ravens will be in angry mood. Maybe it’s not meant to be this year.
Ravens 23, Giants 20