An inside have a look at Sunday’s Giants-Falcons Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta:
Marquee matchup
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Giants ILB Micah McFadden
After all, this isn’t a mano-a-mano confrontation, however these two combatants will meet up a number of occasions on the sector.
Robinson is a superb participant. He’s fifth within the league in speeding with 1,102 yards, trailing Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Kyren Williams. Robinson additionally has 54 receptions.
Was he well worth the No. 8-overall draft choose in 2023? That’s definitely debatable.
McFadden is without doubt one of the greatest values on the Giants roster.
The fifth-round choose in 2022 is the workforce chief with 102 tackles and is making the defensive calls with Bobby Okereke injured and out of motion.
Alas, the Giants are thirty first in stopping the run, permitting 143.7 yards per recreation.
Paul’s choose
Usually, a rookie quarterback making his first NFL begin can be contemporary meat to a protection.
Has something about this Giants’ season been remotely regular?
Would anybody be stunned if Michael Penix Jr. lights it up?
There have been ridiculous protection busts final week with so many new guys within the secondary.
The Falcons’ protection just isn’t good — they’ve given up 14 extra factors this season than the Giants — however have you ever seen the Giants offense?
Falcons 27, Giants 16
4 Downs
First timer: At any time when a rookie quarterback makes his NFL beginning debut, there’s a likelihood he’s not fairly prepared for the pace and depth of the sport.
Micah McFadden spent 4 years in school at Indiana with new Falcons beginning QB Michael Penix Jr., and McFadden recollects as freshmen, Penix was already forward of the curve.
“I keep in mind anyone informed me, ‘Man, that Penix guy, they installed the offense and he knew the playbook by Day 2,’’ McFadden stated. “Good quarterback, is aware of the system. I’m certain he has a fairly good understanding of the play e-book. And typically with rookies, they simplify slightly bit and so they maintain it cookie-cutter. From the man I do know, he’s by no means actually wanted it that method.’’
Choice course of: Some draft picks are straightforward and pretty apparent to make.
The Giants taking Evan Neal at No. 7 total in 2022 is an instance of this.
There was a necessity for a proper deal with, and Neal was extremely regarded popping out of Alabama. He got here off the board as anticipated.
It has not labored out for Neal or the Giants, however the technique of constructing the choose was sound.
Now check out Kyle Pitts and the Falcons.
He was taken at No. 4 total in 2021 — the earliest a good finish has ever been drafted — and was projected as a difference-maker and matchup nightmare.
He made the Professional Bowl as a rookie.
The previous three seasons — meh. In 14 video games this 12 months, he has 40 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns.
Give and take: It comes as no shock that the Giants throughout their nine-game shedding streak are minus-six in turnovers.
What’s wild is that it really represents an improved ratio from the season as an entire.
The Giants are twenty eighth within the league in turnover margin at minus-eight, based mostly largely on their NFL-low two interceptions.
They’ve 11 takeaways (two interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries) and 19 giveaways (10 interceptions, 9 misplaced fumbles).
While you consider “making one thing occur’’ on protection, you don’t consider the Giants.
Subsequent at-bat: The beginning quarterback steps in entrance of a workforce banner on Wednesdays to fulfill with the media.
This week, it was Drew Lock’s flip, making his third begin this season. Tommy DeVito, out of concussion protocol, is the backup.
“It’s definitely different,” Lock stated. “But, at the same time, Tommy was upset when he got his bell rung, he didn’t get to play. I went in there, the heel thing happened and then he goes back in. We’ve just had some unfortunate things happen and we just keep rolling with the punches.”
