ATLANTA FALCONS @ NEW YORK GIANTS 
Vegas Line: Falcons + 3
Rob’s Line: Falcons + 2.5
Just three weeks ago the Washington Redskins went on the road and defeated the New York Giants 23-10, a result that didn’t put the Big Blue in a good place. That was their fifth loss in six games and the sole victory, over Dallas, was a crazy (yet thrilling) come from behind win as they scored two touchdowns in the final three and a half minutes to take pole position in the NFC East ahead of those Cowboys.
The week after the loss to the Redskins they found themselves once again on home turf, but as the ’visiting’ team to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets in a game neither team could barely afford to lose. Maybe it’s because the Jets talk too much, but I had a strong fancy for the Giants, despite their recent woes, and tipped them to win 24-14 so their 29-14 victory didn’t surprise me. They carried that momentum into finally disposing of the Cowboys last week and find themselves as favourites by a field goal over an Atlanta team that won three of its last four to reach this stage.
The Falcons held the number one seed in the NFC at this time last season, but were routed 48-21 by Green Bay in the divisional round, dubious recent playoff form to say the least and they head to New Jersey with the Giants in confident mood. Many of those in the home locker room are feeling that same sense of togetherness and destiny that brought home a championship four years ago and it’s a combination that can often prove potent. Throw into the mix that the Falcons aren’t a cold weather team and prefer Dome comforts and you get the feeling that there’s only one team bound for Green Bay next weekend. I must say that I give the Giants more of a chance against the Packers than I do the Falcons, but let’s concentrate on this one first.
Much like the Lions/Saints game last night, this could be something of a shootout as there’s no doubting where each team’s respective offensive strength lies. New York ranks dead last running the ball, which does go some way to explaining the sensational emergence this season of Victor Cruz, who amassed 1,536 receiving yards in the regular season. Along with Hakeem Nicks, he helps provide Eli Manning with two pairs of reliable hands and even better news this week is that tight end Jake Ballard, who lies third on the team in receptions (38), will definitely play for the first time in three weeks and has said he’ll be at “full speed”.
That will worry an Atlanta secondary that ranks 20th in the league, but it’s not as though they don’t possess their own weapons through the air. What’s more, they have the more balanced offense with the presence of Michael Turner at running back, who’s already ran for 1,340 yards this season, good enough for third in the NFL.
Quarteback Matt Ryan is 0-2 in playoff games, but never before has he had at his disposal a triumvirate in the class of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez all on the field at the same time and they have to be encouraged about facing a Giants pass defense that ranks 29th in the league. Like I say, this contest has points written all over it and it could even come down to who scores last wins. However, my one reservation about that concerns the cold weather in NY and how much it affects Atlanta. I should probably have offered them plus 3.5 points, but I’m not one to back down and they are a talented unit.
Overall, I’m liking the noises coming from the Giants and that belief plus playing outdoors leads me to think they’ll cover the field goal spread.
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