The 5-4 Atlanta Falcons travel to the Meadowlands to face the 5-4 New York Giants. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm and the game can be seen on FOX.
Injuries: On Friday night, the news broke that New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is “out indefinitely” with a bulging disk in his neck. CB Aaron Ross will be a game-time decision (hamstring). Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to play.
Running back Michael Turner will not play for the Falcons.
The Giants will win...
because they've had a week to reflect on what has been the 2009 NFL season. After starting 5-0, the Giants have lost four consecutive football games. In those four losses, the Giants have been less than good on offense, defense, special teams, you name it. No team in the NFL needed a bye week last week more than the New York Giants. How they come out of the gate to begin the second portion of the season will determine the future of the 2009 football Giants.
Fortunately for the Giants, they are playing a Falcons team that isn't quite the same squad that defeated the 49ers 45-10 and then the Bears the following week. Atlanta has lost three of its last four contests and they were downed by a Carolina team that put 28 points on the board. Certainly, the Giants offense is at least as talented at Carolina's. I'm sure of it.
The Panthers rushed for 185 yards against the Falcons. A rested and (hopefully) healthy Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw should be able to equal this performance, even behind a less than 100 percent offensive line.
The Giants will lose...
because the Falcons still have Matt Ryan and the Giants' secondary is still hurt. Even if Aaron Ross does play this Sunday (I think he will), he won't be fully healed by kickoff. Atlanta wide receiver Roddy White is banged up but is expected to start on Sunday. White and future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, along with QB Matt Ryan, are fully capable to carve up a defense that is now without its captain (Antonio Pierce).
I feel as if I've been typing this for a month straight but the Giants must, absolutely must, pressure Matt Ryan. The New York pass rush hasn't been the dominant force of previous NFL seasons. A one or two sack performance won't be good enough on Sunday.
One more thing. The current version of Eli Manning needs to put the Eli Manning of 2005 back in his place. Come back, Eli. Come back. Good news for Eli. Weather shouldn't be a problem as the forecast calls for mid-50s and five to ten mph winds.
Overall: Cliché time. This is the quintessential “must win” football game for both the Giants and Falcons. The 2009 NFL season for both teams could come to an end with a loss tomorrow. Sure, the Giants will be missing Pierce tomorrow. That defense has to step up sometime, though. Sometime is Sunday. The permanent optimist that I am (for one more week, at least), I'm going with Big Blue for the Big Win.
Giants 27
Falcons 21
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