New York Giants (2-12) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (7-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, broadcast on Fox. The betting odds from BetMGM favor the Falcons by eight and a half points. In this matchup, the Giants hold a record of 4-10 against the spread, while the Falcons are 6-8. Historically, Atlanta leads the series 14-12, with their most recent encounter resulting in a 17-14 victory for the Falcons on September 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In their previous games, the Giants suffered a 35-14 defeat to the Ravens, while the Falcons secured a close 15-9 win over the Raiders.
Examining their performances this season, the Giants rank 29th in overall offense, 18th in rushing, 30th in passing, and 32nd in scoring. On defense, they are tied for 21st overall, rank 31st against the run, 7th against the pass, and 20th in scoring defense. In contrast, the Falcons are 9th in overall offense, 12th in rushing, 6th in passing, and 20th in scoring. Their defense is average, sitting at 20th overall, 13th against the run, 24th against the pass, and 20th in scoring defense. The turnover differential sees the Giants at minus-8, while the Falcons are at minus-7.
One notable player for the Giants is WR Malik Nabers, who recorded his third game this season with double-digit catches during the Ravens matchup. This achievement places him alongside NFL legends such as Odell Beckham Jr., Jaylen Waddle, and Brock Bowers as only the fourth rookie in league history with three games of at least 10 receptions. Nabers, picked 6th overall in the draft, has accumulated 90 receptions for 901 yards, just two shy of tying the Giants’ rookie record of 91 set by Beckham in 2014 and Saquon Barkley in 2018.
On the Falcons’ side, QB Michael Penix Jr. is set to make his career debut. Atlanta made this decision following the benching of veteran QB Kirk Cousins after a disappointing stretch in which he threw nine interceptions compared to just one touchdown in five matches. Penix, who was the 8th overall pick in the 2024 draft and a Heisman runner-up at Washington, was not initially expected to start so early. However, following an uninspiring victory against the Raiders, the Falcons recognized the necessity for a change.
A critical matchup to watch is between Atlanta’s defensive front and the Giants’ offensive line. The Falcons have shown improved pressure, registering 13 sacks in the past three games after a slow start in which they only achieved 10 sacks in the first 11 games. The team’s defensive prowess has been highlighted by standout performers like OLB Kaden Elliss and DE Arnold Ebiketie, each contributing three sacks in recent weeks. With Drew Lock returning as New York’s quarterback after an injury, Atlanta will be eager to exploit weaknesses in a line that has allowed 45 sacks this season, ranking as the seventh-most in the NFL.
In terms of injuries, the Giants’ QB Tommy DeVito has exited concussion protocol and is expected to serve as the backup, while G Aaron Stinnie (concussion), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), and LB Bobby Okereke (back) have been ruled out. Cornerback Greg Stroman is listed as doubtful, and the Giants hope to reinstate CB Deonte Banks (ribs) after he missed the last three games. For the Falcons, K Younghoe Koo has been placed on injured reserve due to an undisclosed issue, which could affect his future with the team. Riley Patterson has taken over kicking duties in his absence. Additionally, WR Casey Washington (concussion) is out for the game.
Historically, the Falcons have dominated the recent series with three consecutive victories. The Giants last defeated the Falcons in 2014 and have not secured a win in Atlanta since 2007. These two teams met once in the playoffs during the 2008 season, where the Giants celebrated a commanding 24-2 wildcard victory. Interestingly, Atlanta’s first-ever win in history came against the Giants in 1966, a 27-16 triumph at Yankee Stadium.
In some notable statistics, the Giants matched their franchise record with nine consecutive losses last weekend, an unfortunate history repeated three times in their 100 years. QB Drew Lock had an impressive game against the Falcons in 2020, throwing for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and running for another. Rookie RB Tyrone Tracy is also making strides, ranking second among rookies with 695 rushing yards and scoring in all three of his latest road games. Other players like WR Wan’Dale Robinson and linebacker Micah McFadden are achieving personal bests in receptions and tackles, respectively.
In a fantasy context, RB Bijan Robinson emerges as a strong option due to his anticipated heavy workload, especially with the Falcons implementing a new quarterback. His proficiency in both rushing and receiving will provide valuable support to Penix, creating an opportunity to counterbalance the adjustment period for the Falcons’ offense.
