Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants: Preview, Predictions and Players to Watch
By Ryan Disdier
Week 5 features a pivotal matchup between two very talented teams, as the 2-2 New York Giants host the 2-2 Atlanta Falcons.
The Giants have been on a roll recently, as the offense has finally come together and they look like a legitimate offense after two weeks of looking like rubbish.
Eli Manning has completed 70% of his passes for two straight weeks, and it looks like we could be in the midst of the ‘Accurate Eli’ era. The offense’s not-so-secret weapon Larry Donnell has quickly established himself as Eli’s number one target in the red zone, and the Giants will look to utilize him on Sunday. The 6’6″ Donnell is a mismatch against the Falcons’ shorter safeties and linebackers. The Falcons’ defense lost starting linebacker Sean Weatherspoon in the preseason, and the unit has struggled. However, one of the bright spots on 31st ranked defense is cornerback Desmond Trufant. Trufant has quietly established himself as one of the better young corners, and he needs to have a good game if the Falcons want to contain the Giants’ offense.
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The offense will have rookie Odell Beckham Jr. in the lineup for the first time all year, and his explosiveness could seriously help the Giants. “If the medical people are on board, the young man wants to play and he’s here for that purpose,” Tom Coughlin said to NJ.com.
Manning and company are playing against a less than stellar defense, and last week Atlanta let Minnesota do anything they wanted on offense. The Falcons’ defense also let Teddy Bridgewater throw for 317 yards. Running back Rashad Jennings is poised to have a big game, and the Giants will likely want to get him going early on. Something to look for when the Falcons are on defense is defensive end Osi Umenyiora. Umenyiora played his entire career with New York before signing the Falcons, and I’m sure he would love to sack former teammate Eli Manning.
The good news for Atlanta is that they have an incredibly prolific offense that can help them stay in games, regardless of whether or not the defense is playing poorly.
Matt Ryan has Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Devin Hester at his disposal, and they’re all incredibly lethal targets. Giants’ corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will see a lot of Jones, while Prince Amukamara will likely be tasked with covering White. Trumaine McBride and Zackary Bowman will likely shadow Douglas and Hester in the slot. Watching how the Giants matchup with the Falcons’ offensive weapons will be exciting to watch.
However, while the offense certainly boasts a bevy of talent, Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offensive production is significantly worse when they play away from the Georgia Dome. The Falcons have been outscored 65-38 in away games this year, and Ryan has thrown 529 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Ryan’s home stats are 734 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Giants’ secondary has seven interceptions in two games, and Matty Ice needs to perform well for the Falcons to have a chance. Jones is probably the biggest concern for the G-Men, as he’s one of the best athletes in the NFL. Jones is listed as probable for Sunday, and he’s always a threat to score. Devin Hester is also listed as probable, and he could play a big role in the return game. The Giants are very spotty on punt coverage, and they’ve already given up a return touchdown this year to Arizona’s Tedd Ginn. Hester is the best returner of all time, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Steve Weatherford shy away from punting Hester’s direction.
The Giants are expecting starting inside linebacker Jon Beason back after he re aggravated an injury against the Cardinals in week two.
Final Prediction:
Giants win 45-31. The Giants have looked better over the past two weeks than they have over the past two years. If the Minnesota Vikings can put up 41 points on Atlanta’s defense, there’s no glaring evidence that would lead me to believe Eli Manning can’t do the same thing. Atlanta’s offense should keep them in the game for a while.
Bold Prediction:
* Eli Manning continues his hot streak as he completes more than 65% of his passes.
* Julio Jones goes for over 100 yards and has a touchdown.
* Osi Umenyiora sacks Eli Manning.
* Odell Beckham Jr. catches a long touchdown.