The Baltimore Ravens made a statement in their 35-14 win over the New York Giants, and while Lamar Jackson’s historic five-touchdown game grabbed headlines, it wasn’t the only standout performance in Week 15.
Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins delivered an eye-catching display against Giants rookie sensation Malik Nabers, a fellow first-round pick. The matchup between the two rookies lived up to the hype, with Wiggins coming out on top in decisive fashion.
Wiggins played a career-high 90% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps, lining up against Nabers in several critical moments. The Giants clearly wanted to test Wiggins, especially near the goal line, targeting Nabers three times inside the 5-yard line. The result? Wiggins put on a masterclass, breaking up two passes and forcing an incompletion on the third, leaving Nabers frustrated and scoreless.
A clip of Wiggins’ dominance—featuring those three red zone stops—quickly made the rounds on social media, sparking excitement among Ravens fans. The tweet from Billy M (@BillyM_91) showcasing “3 straight reps of Nate Wiggins shutting down Nabers inside the 5” had the fanbase buzzing about what Wiggins could mean for the Ravens' defense, not just this season but for years to come.
3 straight reps of Nate Wiggins shutting down Nabers inside the 5 pic.twitter.com/mYRIpbsdKW
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) December 18, 2024
Nate Wiggins shutting down Malik Nabers shows he's only scratching the surface of his potential
For Wiggins, this was a coming-out party. Matched up against a receiver like Nabers, who entered the game as the Giants’ leading receiver and one of the brightest young talents in the league, Wiggins proved he belongs. Nabers was targeted four times when covered by Wiggins, with just one catch for nine yards—a bubble screen far from the end zone.
The red zone reps were the most impressive. On one play, Wiggins forced Nabers out of bounds, denying him any chance at a catch. On another, he read the back-shoulder fade perfectly, breaking up the pass before Nabers could establish control. It was textbook cornerback play from a rookie who’s only starting to unlock his potential.
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh praised Wiggins' progress, saying, “When you watch corners, it’s a technique game out there. It’s a fundamentally sound game. It’s a tough position to play. He is making progress across the board with that, and yet he knows he has a whole career’s worth of improvement in front of him still.”
Of course, it wasn’t a flawless performance. Wiggins drew a pass interference penalty on a deep shot to Darius Slayton, showing there’s still room for growth. But that’s what makes his performance so exciting—he’s already shutting down a first-round talent like Nabers while still learning the nuances of the NFL game.
As the Ravens gear up for the postseason, Wiggins’ development could be a game-changer. Baltimore’s defense has often relied on its secondary to secure big wins, and having a young, fearless corner like Wiggins ready to step up adds another layer to their potential.
If this game is any indication, the Ravens may have found a cornerstone for their defense—and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.