Scott Pharr, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons (5-4) at NY Giants (5-4)
Pre-Game Factoid: The road team has won every game in the last 12 meetings of these two teams (dates back to 1979).
Statistics like that are basically meaningless and non-applicable to the current situation but interesting nonetheless. File it under “Things that make you go..’hmmm.”.
The current State of Affairs:
Through the first 5 games of the season Atlanta conducted itself like as if it believed it were one of the upper-echelon teams in the NFC. They were basically winning games they were supposed to win while fighting hard in losing efforts against tougher opponents. Then came the head scratcher in Dallas. For the first time in the 1 ½ years of the new Mike Smith/Matt Ryan regime, they were essentially manhandled all day long and sent back to Atlanta tail firmly between legs. This was followed up by a gritty but losing effort at New Orleans. Fortunately the schedule behaved in their favor with the woeful Redskins at home the next week, with Atlanta winning decisively and easily. Good feelings were short-lived however as they ran into a buzz saw in Charlotte against rival Carolina. The loss made it 4 in the previous 5 games, the worst stretch so far for the new Falcons regime. And right on time, the teams most consistent offensive force, Michael Turner, turns his ankle and is lost for at least one game. If there is one thing that has marked the personality of the Mike Smith-led Falcons it’s the spirit of resolve they seem to show in the face of adversity. They seem quick to address issues that are complicating the winning process, so there is reason to believe they can turn things around today. Taking the place of Turner will be 3rd year back Jason Snelling. Snelling is a huge man and, while not overly nimble, runs well through the tackles and quite impossible to be tackled by just one individual. The running game isn’t really the concern, however, as the Falcons need QB Matt Ryan to snap out of a 5 game slump that has seen him toss 7 TD’s against 10 interceptions. If there was any real criticism of Ryan in college it was his propensity to force the ball unnecessarily, resulting in a higher-then-normal amount of untimely picks. Today’s game will be on the Falcons receiving core of Roddy White, Mike Jenkins, and Brian Finneren.
FALCONS KEY: PROTECTING RYAN. The Falcons won’t have problems moving the sticks on the ground. The Giants have allowed 12 rushing TD’s, 5th most in the league. 
The Falcons must convert through the passing game. This begins with the offensive line. Ryan has been dropped for sacks 10 times over the last 4 games. No protection equals quick throws, which equals errant throws and bad incompletions or interceptions. It is critical the offensive line man up and slow the fierce combination of bookend rushers Methias Kewanuka and Osi Umenyiora. If these two get quick steps around the ends and can penetrate the pocket consistently, Ryan and the Falcons will have a very long day.
THE OPPONANT: Its great to be a team in NY when things are going well, and it’s possibly the worst place to be when things are going poorly. Things are going very poorly for the Giants at the moment. 
After starting 5-0 this season, the G-men have plummeted back to earth, losing 4 straight leading into last week’s bye. Losing 4 in a row is one thing, but the losses have been catastrophic in nature. Over these 4 games they have given up a total of 132 points, an average of 33 points per game. Most of the damage has come through the air, having been torched by 4 of the NFL’s best: Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb, and most recently, Phillip Rivers. While Ryan isn’t quite to the level of these players, most believe that he will be at some point. The bye week could not have come at a better time last week, and today will determine if they have corrected anything in the secondary or if the problems at corner are to serious to fix in just one off-week. Therefore… the Key To the Game is:
DECIDING FACTOR: Falcons WR’s White and Jenkins vs. embattled Giants CB’s Aaron Ross and Corey Webster. White and Jenkins are tall, rangy bodies who can run out patterns or stretch the field equally effectively. Ross and Webster will have to be quick on their feet and anticipate the plays as they develop. Look for Ryan to work underneath much of the first quarter and half, then take shots down the field when available. And, this may be the perfect opportunity to overuse TE Tony Gonzalez. With Turner out, Gonzalez will need to help soften up the middle of the field and open up the sideline activity.
IN THE END: This may be a homer call, but it seems the Giants are a sick team who have taken measures to address the symptoms but not the disease. With the amount of yards racked up through the passing game over the previous month on this secondary, there isn’t any reason to thing Ryan can’t have a banner day at the Meadowlands.
FINAL SCORE: Atlanta 27, NYG 20.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Good article. What Atlanta really needs is a game with The Buffalo Bills