Ravens’ Rookie CB Steal the Show: Fans Go Wild for Shut-Down Performance Against Malik Nabers
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.
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.
