New York Giants (2-12) will face the Atlanta Falcons (7-7) in an important matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with coverage on Fox. As per BetMGM’s latest NFL odds, the Falcons are favored by 8.5 points. The Giants have struggled against the spread this season, with a record of 4-10, while the Falcons are slightly better at 6-8. Historically, the Falcons have had the upper hand in this matchup, leading the series 14-12. Their most recent encounter took place on September 26, 2021, when Atlanta edged the Giants 17-14 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Last week, the Giants fell to the Ravens with a score of 35-14, while the Falcons managed to scrape together a 15-9 victory against the Raiders.
In terms of team performance, the Giants’ offense ranks near the bottom of the league, sitting at 29th overall, with 18th in rushing and 30th in passing. They currently hold the mark for the lowest scoring team in the league at 32nd place. Defensively, they rank 21st overall, with particularly poor performance against the run, ranked 31st, while their pass defense has surprisingly been the strength, sitting at 7th in the league. On the other hand, the Falcons boast the 9th overall offense, ranked 12th in rushing and 6th in passing, with a scoring rank of 20. Their defense, while slightly below average at 20th overall, shows a strong rushing defense sitting at 13th.
One standout player for the Giants is rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who achieved his third game of double-digit receptions last week against the Ravens. Nabers’ impressive performance positions him alongside the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jaylen Waddle as only the fourth rookie in NFL history to have three or more games with ten or more catches. With 90 receptions for 901 yards, he is just two catches away from breaking the Giants’ rookie record held by Beckham and Saquon Barkley.
On the Falcons’ side, all eyes will be on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as he prepares to make his first career start, stepping in for 13-year veteran Kirk Cousins, who had been struggling with his performance. The No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft and Heisman Trophy runner-up was not expected to start so early in his career, but recent struggles from Cousins, including nine interceptions in the last five games, forced the team to make a change. After a lackluster performance against the Raiders, the Falcons decided it was time to give Penix the chance to lead the team.
A key battle in this game will be between Atlanta’s defensive front and New York’s offensive line. The Falcons have ramped up their pass rush in recent games, with 13 sacks in three games following their bye week, after previously managing only a league-low 10 sacks in their first 11 games. Notable players contributing to this surge include outside linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, who have each recorded three sacks during this span. With Drew Lock returning as the Giants’ quarterback after an injury absence, the Falcons will be eager to apply pressure on a quarterback leading an offensive line that has allowed 45 sacks this season, tying them for the seventh-worst in the NFL.
Injury concerns are present for both teams. For the Giants, quarterback Tommy DeVito is in the concussion protocol, and his status remains uncertain. If he is cleared, he is expected to return to a backup role behind Lock. Several other Giants players, including guard Aaron Stinnie, linebacker Patrick Johnson, and others, have also been dealing with injuries, raising concerns about their availability for the game. Meanwhile, the Falcons have placed kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve due to an undisclosed issue, which has raised questions about his future with the team. To fill his role, they have signed Riley Patterson.
In historical context, the Falcons have won their last three meetings against the Giants. The most recent victory for the Giants against Atlanta was in 2014, while their most recent win in Atlanta dates back to 2007. They have met once in the playoffs, with New York prevailing in a wild-card matchup during the 2008 season.
As for stats, the Giants tied their franchise record last weekend by suffering their ninth consecutive loss. They have reached this low point three times in their history, with the last occurrence in 2019. Lock previously started only one game against the Falcons back in 2020, where he threw for 313 yards and recorded two touchdowns. Additionally, running back Tyrone Tracy ranks second among rookies with 695 rushing yards and has found the end zone in his previous three road games. On defense, linebacker Brian Burns noted his eighth sack of the season last week, while rookie quarterback Penix finds himself among a record number of first-round quarterbacks drafted in 2024.
Fantasy-wise, running back Bijan Robinson is poised to continue his significant contributions on the ground, especially with a new quarterback under center. He has proven valuable in the passing game as well, making him a reliable option for short-to-intermediate passes that can ease the transition for Penix.
Overall, this matchup presents an interesting dynamic with contrasting situations for both teams, and fans can expect an exciting game ahead.