This is a brand-new Atlanta Falcons team.
Matt Ryan was nothing short of jubilant when he ran off the field last week. The defense, the same group that was the worst of the worst last year, held strong when it mattered. Even the offensive line looked better. This is not the same Atlanta Falcons team that won six games last year. Welcome to the era of Dan Quinn.
The first-year head coach made some major changes to this team in the preseason and it showed in week one. It’s very early in the season but this is a Falcons squad that looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the league already. Julio Jones is worth every penny of his $81.4 million contract extension and the defense has a spark that was missing throughout last season.
Now, the Falcons look to keep the momentum rolling against the New York Giants, a team that is still reeling after last week’s final-minute meltdown. Kickoff for the week two NFC tilt is slated for 1 p.m. Here’s everything you need to know about the game:
The Basics
Who:
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants
When:
Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET
Channel:
The game will be broadcast regionally on FOX with Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch on the call. Click here to see if you’re within the broadcast area.
Where:
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Line:
Giants -2.5 via Oddsshark
Last Meeting:
Giants 30, Falcons 20 on October 5, 2014 in East Rutherford
Scouting the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones made sure to prove he was worth that brand-new contract extension with a dominant performance in week one. (Getty)
Someone should probably cover Julio Jones.
Somehow, year in and year out, people seem to forget about Jones and his big-play potential. It’s as if opposing defenses just ignore Jones’ speed or the fact that he’s 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. On Monday night Jones caught the ball at the two yard line and just fell into the end zone.
This week the wide receiver earned his first-ever NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor for his performance in Atlanta’s 26-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones caught nine passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.7 yards per reception. That’s his seventh career multi-touchdown game and 20th 100-yard game. Those are really, really good numbers.
If Atlanta’s offensive line can give Matt Ryan time to find Jones down the field, the Falcons offense could have make some serious noise in New Jersey this weekend.
Scouting the Giants
New York Giants RB Rashad Jennings made headlines this week when he said he was told not to score against the Dallas Cowboys. (Getty)
If you are a New York Giants fan, the last few days have been particularly depressing. After watching Big Blue throw away a ten-point, fourth quarter lead, you’ve now had to hear about how the team and your quarterback weren’t entirely sure how many timeouts the Dallas Cowboys had and listed to your running back tell anyone who would listen that he was told not to score a touchdown. Oh, and for good measure, Jason Pierre Paul is also reportedly missing part of his thumb as well.
It has not been fun.
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, New York fans. Yes, last week’s loss was depressing and horrendous and a whole bunch of other adjectives, but there were still good points in that game. The defense, for the most part, surprised a lot of people and, while the stats won’t blow anyone away, the Giants’ rushing attack actually looked better than it did the entire preseason. New York out-rushed the Cowboys 99-to-80 and Shane Vereen looked comfortable as an option on the screen, racking up 46 yards on four receptions.
Yes, last week was bad. But it’s a brand-new week and the home opener and there’s still reason to be optimistic. There’s a whole lot of season left.
