Open Hand

This is going to be a game with objectively bad play happening. I don’t think this one is going to be much of a barn burner. This is a game between two struggling teams in every phase of the game. The Giants are 2-12, that’s really all that needs to be said about them. Not much going on this year. The Falcons are having a tough time this year as well, specifically Kirk Cousins, who is seemingly playing for his job next year. Up until last week, he hadn’t thrown a TD pass since November 3rd. Yeah, that’s correct, I checked again to make sure because that doesn’t even seem real. To make it seem more fanatical, Cousins had thrown at least one pick in each one of those games that he hadn’t thrown a TD in. It sounds made up. So that’s where the Falcons offense stands. And they are 23rd in the league in defense too. While they did just beat the Raiders, they’ve lost six of their last nine games, four of those losses coming in the last five weeks. They really need a another win, considering that despite all that poor play, they aren’t out of the playoffs quite yet

Luckily, they are playing the Giants, who outside a semi-good defense, don’t have really anything going for them. Which quarterback will be playing for them this week? Drew Lock? Tommy Devito? Tim Boyle? It’s a revolving door for every position but running back and wide receiver, who have both stayed healthy all year. If the Giants want any chance at winning this game, they are going to need help from their rookies Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy, who have had the most consistent production this year. They are on pace to become to third ever rookie receiving and rushing duo to both total over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Tracy is totaled at 915 yards, (695 rushing and 220 receiving), and Nabers has 903 total yards (901 receiving yards, and 2 rushing yards.) It’s a phenomenal accomplishment if it happens, and it highlights talent in a horribly dismal season and what could be to come from these bright stars. But if you think that the Falcons don’t know the Giants weapons are Tracy and Nabers and will look to shut them down, then you may not understand football. And that’s ok, but short of a miracle, I don’t think the Giants have it in them to win this game. Even against the poor Falcons.