EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Ravens hadn’t even left MetLife Stadium for the Amtrak train that took them back to Baltimore on Sunday evening and already their attention had turned to what’s next.

Next stop: a hugely important showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We’ve already talked about it,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ll be working the game plan tonight, tomorrow and into the short week.”

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 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 had 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 one game back of Pittsburgh (10-4) with three games left in the regular season.

“Our guys did a great job of getting open, just running their routes, catching the ball,” Jackson said. “Our offensive line did a great job protecting. All-around team effort.”

The biggest point of interest for Giants fans, meanwhile, occurred 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 a ninth straight loss.

When Ravens running back Justice Hill returned the opening kickoff 59 yards to New York’s 37-yard line, the crowd cheered sardonically, with every loss helping the Giants’ draft position. The only thing that stopped the Ravens on the drive was a fumble by Jackson when he was stripped following a 15-yard run.

But on Baltimore’s next possession, cornerback and practice squad call-up Desmond King set up the offense again, this time at the Giants’ 32 after a nifty 23-yard punt return. The opportunity didn’t get wasted.

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 Andrews’ eighth of the year and 48th of his career, breaking former running back Jamal Lewis’ franchise record for career touchdowns.

“It’s hard to quantify that,” the seventh-year tight end said of the bond he has formed with the quarterback who was also drafted in 2018. “It’s kind of an unspoken thing, but I think that Lamar and I just have a good jell, have always been able to see the game very similar, and just play football. I think we’re working off that this year and continuing to grow.”

Unsurprisingly, 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, but even in celebration the focus was already moving forward.

“It definitely feels good,” Bateman said. “I’m just going to enjoy this win with the team and go back to the drawing board. We’ve got a tough game coming up.”

It wasn’t all positive, though, as some of the same old problems cropped up again 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.

“Too many,” coach John Harbaugh said of all the penalties, adding many of them are technique issues that will be a focus in the days ahead.

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.

Things didn’t get any better for New York in the second half.

With DeVito ruled out of the game with a concussion to start the third quarter, third-string quarterback Tim Boyle replaced him. He hit Nabers for a 23-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter but was intercepted by Ar’Darius Washington with just over two minutes to play and Baltimore ran out the clock.

With a 2 1/2-hour train ride home, the Ravens were already moving on — and with good reason with Pittsburgh having won eight of its past nine against Baltimore.

“Our record being just 9-5, those losses just sitting in the back of our minds,” Jackson said when asked about how eager he is to try to exact revenge on the Steelers after losing to them earlier this season. “We gotta go into every game with the same mentality from this day forward.”

That message permeated the locker room.

“For me personally, it will be, as soon as we’re off the train, I’m on [the Steelers],” said veteran defensive tackle Broderick Washington, who earlier in the week addressed the entire team in a meeting with the message that the Ravens needed to stop beating themselves. “We need this one. It’s a big one for us. Shoot, I’ve only beat these guys one time since I’ve been here. I’d like to change that.”

Added left tackle Ronnie Stanley: “We’ll enjoy this one for the rest of the day. But tomorrow we know where our focus has to lie. We have a new opponent coming ahead of us, it’s a short week and we gotta be ready. I have full faith in everyone to get ready and prepare.”

The importance of the Steelers game can’t be overstated: If Baltimore loses, its chances of a division title are essentially lost, too.

“I don’t think anyone’s thinking about that,” Stanley said. “I think we’re thinking about we just gotta win this game. No matter what, we’re looking at it like a playoff game, win or go home.”

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.