The New York Giants head to Atlanta this weekend to take on the Atlanta Falcons. The teams will meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff aired on FOX. This is an interesting matchup of quarterbacks as the quarterback carousel continues for the Giants and Drew Lock once again will start for the team. The Falcons have benched Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr will make his first start for the team. Let’s jump in and take a look at this Giants-Falcons preview and predictions.
It’s been a brutal season for the New York Giants and their never-ending rotation at quarterback for the team. They turned back to Tommy DeVito last game, but DeVito was injured and Tim Boyle stepped in to replace him. Drew Lock is back from his heel and elbow injuries and will return to the starting duties. Tommy DeVito remains in concussion protocol and logged a limited practice Thursday, if cleared to play he’ll back up Lock, if not Boyle will be ready to step in if needed.
Everyone (myself included) clowned the Atlanta Falcons when they drafted Michael Penix Jr with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They did so not long after they paid Kirk Cousins $180 million dollars in free agency. $100 million of which is guaranteed to come over to the team and be their lead signal caller. Cousins hasn’t been getting it done, throwing just one touchdown in the Falcons’ last five games and going just 1-4 in those games.
Atlanta is still just a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South division lead and a playoff spot. They beat Tampa Bay in both games this season. Which means they hold the tie-breaker if they can get to the same record as the Buccaneers.
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons Preview and Predictions Video
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons Preview and Predictions
Bijan Robinson Over 113.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-117)
Fantasy managers rejoice. If you are still alive in your fantasy football playoffs and have Robinson on your roster, I think he’s in for a big week. The New York Giants have the second-worst rushing defense in the league. They’ve allowed an average of 143.7 yards per game on the ground and 4.9 yards per carry.
Robinson has cracked the 114-yard combined mark in three of the Falcons’ last five games. He came oh-so-close two weeks ago against the Vikings when he totaled 101 yards. They’ll want to make it easy on Penix in his first start, and what better way than handing off or dumping to an explosive playmaker against a weak defense.
Atlanta Falcons -8 (-115)
Is it a little crazy that a rookie quarterback making his first start in the NFL in Week 16 is an eight-point favorite? Yes, it’s a little crazy. But, this New York Giants team has been absolute garbage and has nothing to play for. The Giants are just 4-10 against the spread this season, which is the third worst in the league. 1-8 over their last nine games including not covering a 16.5-point spread in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Falcons are very alive for the playoff and this is the perfect spot to introduce the young quarterback. Against a team that is completely checked out, you make things easy on him and give him an easy confidence victory. Give me the team that has something to play for over the team that hasn’t shown up in weeks. Even at an eight-point difference.
