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BY SAM HITCHCOCK
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The Falcons (5-4) have lost three of their last four, and their quarterback, Matt Ryan, had eight interceptions in those games and is struggling with his reads. Certainly last week he was affected by the injury to Michael Turner, but Ryan has been abysmal at times this season, and appears to be going through the proverbial Sophomore Slump. Still, it is hard to believe that someone who showed enormous potential as a rookie could be a flash in the pan, so Falcons fans should remain calm and hope Ryan finds the magic that helped him win Rookie of the Year before it is too late. Whatever the problem may be, the Falcons, much like the Giants, are reeling.
The Giants (5-4) spent Week 10 licking their wounds, trying to figure out how to redirect themselves. They should have their full complement back since defensive end Justin Tuck was able to rest his shoulder during the bye week, and has been attending practices. Tuck explained that it was important to learn how to play banged up.
When further examining the Giants' last game against San Diego (a team that proved again last week that they are as much a threat as anyone for AFC superiority), the Giants did exhibit some encouraging trends. They dominated time of possession, nearly possessing the ball 38 out of the 60 minutes. They also dramatically outrushed San Diego, 116-34, which while a reflection of the decline of Ladainian Tomlinson, also demonstrated that the Giants rush defense is mending. After all, Tomlinson rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns against Philadelphia the following week.
Feagles bobbling the snap and forcing Tynes to come up lame was unquestionably a grave error, but what was missing most from the Giants in Week 9 was their ability to capitalize on opportunities. Four red zone visits, two touchdowns. The Chargers had three red zone opportunities and scored on all three. With cornerback Aaron Ross listed as questionable for the game against the Falcons, the issue of the Giants secondary once again becomes crucial.
In the San Diego game, Phil Rivers was able to pick apart the Giants secondary, and found his go-to-guy, Vincent Jackson, twice for touchdowns. With Tuck healthy, Coughlin hopes the Giants this week will be able to exert a little more pressure, as just two sacks is unacceptable against one of the league's most prolific quarterbacks. Ryan has shown that he can be shaken, and if the Giants can close the passing lanes, Umenyiora and Tuck will eventually find their target.
With Michael Jenkins coming off of a virus, Turner hobbled from a high ankle sprain, and Roddy White hampered by a knee injury, along with the erratic play of Ryan, it would seem that the Falcons would be lucky to score more than 14 points. This is probably true, but I have been repeatedly burned by the Giants and am at least predicting it to be close. The Giants secondary is the perfect remedy for Ryan to break out of his slump, but this week the Giants finally get it right despite an improved performance from Ryan.
Prediction: Giants 24, Falcons 20
