Tommy DeVito will start against the Ravens

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Tommy DeVito has a different take on the Giants’ recent results and their lineup at the bottom of the NFC standings.

“You’re 0-0,” Devito said. “That’s the mentality you have to have.”

This applies to DeVito more than anyone else. He will be the starting quarterback for the second time this season on Sunday when the Giants host an 8-5 Baltimore Ravens team that boasts arguably the NFL’s best offense and is currently the fifth seed in the AFC playoff race.

The weakened, 2-11 Giants have lost eight straight games and are hoping to overcome a spate of injuries to record their first win in more than two months.

DeVito, who started against Tampa Bay three weeks ago, isn’t thinking about ending a string of losses but starting a winning streak.

“They’re just worried about getting in that win column,” DeVito said. “No matter what our record is, the only worry you have is being 1-0 this week. So keep it up, keep doing all the work we’ve done all year and more every week.” We’re not going to get the results we wanted, so let’s just continue to be a tight-knit group, believe in each other, don’t point fingers and just go out there and play for each other.

But DeVito can’t ignore the reality of a disappointing season.

“It’s tough,” he said. “But you look ahead. You can’t worry too much about the past. You learn from it, but when you watch the film on Monday you forget everything and move on to the next week.”

The Giants have had a job-sharing agreement at quarterback since returning from their retirement. DeVito injured his forearm while throwing against the Buccaneers and was unable to play against the Cowboys four days later in Dallas. Drew Lock started two games but injured his heel and left elbow last week against New Orleans and spent most of this week in a cleat. So coach Brian Daboll returned to DeVito.

“You always have to be prepared for anything that happens,” DeVito said. “Obviously it’s been a pretty crazy situation all year with everything that’s been going on. There are almost no surprises at this point. You just have to stay ready. Whoever is out there, no matter how many, they will be out there and ready.” To be called upon, we will go out there and support them. So I’m going to go out there and play for everyone in the locker room.

DeVito knows as well as anyone that establishing long-term stability at his position can be difficult. As a rookie in 2023, he started six straight games after Daniel Jones suffered a torn ACL, winning three of them. DeVito was replaced by Tyrod Taylor after halftime of the Giants’ Christmas loss at Philadelphia.

“I definitely learned a lot from last year,” DeVito said. “To be prepared for any moment for it to happen. Obviously it’s a bit of the same as last year, a few ups and downs, a bit of a rollercoaster and now it’s happening again. I’m just going to keep my head down.” But I’m grateful for all the opportunities and I’m just going out there to fight for everyone in this locker room, the organization, the fans, everyone. I’m just going out there to prove it to myself.