EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That’s who the Ravens will play Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium, where any hopes of an AFC North title will hang in the balance in a game that will likely define Baltimore’s season. Sunday’s contest against a woefully bad and injury-ravaged New York Giants team sure wasn’t going to.

The Ravens’ biggest concern against New York — which entered losers of eight straight — was escaping without any serious injuries, getting back into rhythm off a bye week, and, of course, a victory to keep pace with the division-leading Steelers.

Check, check and check.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards and five touchdowns and a fumble before being pulled in the fourth quarter, tight end Mark Andrews became the franchise’s all-time leading touchdown scorer and wide receiver Rashod Bateman had the first multi-score game of his career as Baltimore rolled over the Giants, 35-14. The Ravens improved to 9-5 with the win and are 1 1/2 games back of Pittsburgh (10-3), which plays the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon, with three games left in the regular season.

The biggest point of interest for Giants fans took place long before kickoff, with a plane flying a banner overhead for the second straight game directed at owner John Mara, this one reading: “Mr Mara enough — we won’t stop until you fire everyone.”

Things only went downhill from there for New York (2-12), which tied a franchise record with its ninth straight defeat.

When Ravens running back Justice Hill returned the opening kickoff 59 yards to New York’s 37-yard line, the crowd cheered sardonically. On Baltimore’s second possession, cornerback and practice squad call-up Desmond King set up the offense at the Giants’ 32 after a nifty 23-yard punt return.

Six plays later, the Ravens found the end zone, with Jackson connecting with his favorite target, Andrews, over the middle for a touchdown on third-and-goal from the 13. The score was the 48th of Andrews’ career, breaking former running back Jamal Lewis’ franchise record for career touchdowns.

Baltimore kept things rolling on its next possession, covering 70 yards in five plays, highlighted by a 49-yard bomb to a wide-open Bateman, who side-stepped two defenders and waltzed into the end zone to put Baltimore up 14-0 less than five minutes into the second quarter.

It marked the receiver’s third touchdown of at least 40 yards and fifth score of the season after having just four in his first three seasons.

Still, some of the same old problems cropped up for Baltimore.

The Giants’ first score — a 2-yard run by Devin Singletary to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive late in the first half — came largely because of a string of boneheaded penalties.

First, cornerback Marlon Humphrey was flagged for holding rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers on a third-down incompletion. On a second-and-17 later in the drive, it was Nnamdi Madubuike’s turn with a roughing the passer penalty. One play later, cornerback Brandon Stephens knocked a would-be touchdown pass away from Nabers but was flagged for pass interference.

Then, on third-and-goal from the 5, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh breathed life back into New York with a penalty for illegal hands to the face, wiping out a sack of quarterback Tommy DeVito to set up Singletary’s score.

Their 12 penalties for 112 yards in the game marked a season high for the Ravens, who lead the NFL in penalties. It also marked the fourth time this season they have topped 100 yards in penalties.

Still, there was little hope the Giants would be able to keep pace or slow the league’s top offense.

Just before halftime, Baltimore swiftly moved 80 yards in nine plays with Bateman hauling in a 20-yard touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone, extending the lead to 21-7 at the break. The Ravens then tacked on two more touchdowns, with Jackson hitting Devontez Walker for a 21-yard score in the third quarter for the first catch and touchdown of the rookie receiver’s career, followed by a short pass to Justice Hill that went for a 27-yard touchdown early in the fourth.

Meanwhile, things continued to spiral for the Giants.

Though DeVito completed 10 of 13 passes in the first half, he managed just 60 yards with New York gaining just 96 total yards in the first 30 minutes. The Giants also converted just one first down in the first half and averaged a meager 3.3 yards per play.

With DeVito ruled out of the game with a concussion to start the second half, third-string quarterback Tim Boyle hit Nabers for a 23-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

With the outcome in hand, backup Josh Johnson relieved Jackson and the Ravens could turn their attention to their showdown with the Steelers.

Week 16

Steelers at Ravens

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

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