Can the Falcons break .500? Or will the Giants break their losing streak?
The New York Giants will face the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 16.
The 2024 season is almost over and the Giants are in a race to the bottom of the league and the top of the 2025 NFL Draft board. This year’s draft features an inordinate number of bad teams, as the entire Top 10 has five or fewer wins.
The Giants are a mess and trying to simply get through the remainder of the season without more significant injuries, while the players are competing for pride and to put good play on tape for next year. The Falcons, meanwhile, have benched Kirk Cousins for a desperate playoff push. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix, the eighth overall pick, will get the start against the Giants, throwing a (potentially) significant curveball at the Giants.
Despite the change, the Giants are 8.5-point underdogs on the road against the 7-7 Falcons, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Can they come up with the win? Or will they preserve their draft position?
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Tony DelGenio
There are several reasons why this game could ruin the Giants’ chances for the No. 1 pick: (1) They play better on the road, where their only two victories have come and their losses have all been by eight points or less, than at MetLife where they face fans whose teeth are bared waiting to pounce on the first mistake; (2) The roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is only opened on special occasions, which this is not, so they don’t have to worry about a plane trailing a banner flying over; (3) They’ll be facing rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., making his first NFL start, and it’s possible he’ll have the jitters and make mistakes.
On the flip side: (1) Penix has a great arm, is not afraid to take shots downfield, and has a dangerous wide receiver in Drake London, along with Darnell Mooney and the talented but enigmatic Kyle Pitts, against a depleted Giants secondary; (2) Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier form one of the NFL’s best rushing tandems, behind one of the best rush blocking OLs in the league, while the Giants’ run defense has been bad all year; (3) The Giants’ quarterback du jour will be Drew Lock, who has not yet shown the moxie that he displayed in leading Seattle to a last minute victory over the Eagles last year.
Atlanta runs it down the Giants’ throats, Penix hits a couple of shots, game over.
Pick: Falcons
Chris Pflum
I’m going to be honest, I have no clue how this game is going to go.
The Giants’ defense has been playing hard and, ironically, their run defense has been vastly improved since Dexter Lawrence was lost for the season. I suspect that could change as the Giants’ opponents get more tape on the young linemen. I bring up the Giants’ run defense because I do believe that Bijan Robinson will be a key factor in this game. I suspect the Falcons will rely on Robinson to take weight off of Michael Penix.
The other X-factor here is the rookie QB. The Giants simply don’t have tape on Penix, his tendencies, or how the Falcons will call their offense with him behind center. If he can operate their offense at all efficiently, the Falcons’ offensive talent could win out.
I can see either of the Giants’ next two games — this week or next — being a “moral victory”. But for this week I’ll bet on the team that could have some surprises in store. So I’m picking the Falcons, though I think this one ends up being a nailbiter in the end.
Pick: Falcons
Nick Falato
The Giants face the Falcons in a short week, with Atlanta returning from Vegas. They’re starting a rookie quarterback on this short-week: could this possibly be a trap game? Crazier things have happened, but this game is too important to Atlanta and the Giants lack depth, talent, and organization. This franchise is incredibly low right now. I have to go with Atlanta. It’s sad, though, that I believe New York would have a better chance with Tim Boyle. It’s also upsetting that I’m interested in an upset due to the short week, extra-variables, and this being a road game since the Giants are allergic to winning at home. Still, it’s Atlanta for me.
Pick: Falcons
James Hickey
This weekend is the worst-case scenario: the Giants win a game in the midst of their worst season that drops them from a top two draft position. The NY Post’s Ryan Dunleavy noted the Giants strength of schedule is best among all two- and three-win teams and a win would mean them most likely drafting seventh.
Could the Giants win? In a season gone so horribly wrong, yes. That is how bad Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons looked on Monday against the Raiders. And the Falcons are going with rookie Michael Penix Jr. for his first start even as they are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
In reality, the Giants have defensive personnel that is more second half third preseason game then those that will be on the 53-man roster next year. And when Tim Boyle looked better in his stint then Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock did at any time this year, what can really be expected from the offense?
Pick: Atlanta
David Hartman
Can the Giants break their nine-game losing streak in Atlanta this week? Well, their fans are convinced they will, only because it would harm the Giants’ chances of getting the first pick in next year’s draft. Fans think about that, but players don’t. With Jacksonville playing Las Vegas this week, there’s going to be some negative-scoreboard watching. And this is just the kind of game Big Blue WOULD win – with a struggling Falcons team that isn’t that good to begin with starting a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut.
I don’t see it happening. If the Giants’ defense was healthy, maybe, but they’re down multiple starters and Atlanta should score enough to win. Unfortunately, the Giants’ don’t have the quarterback or offensive prowess to take advantage of Atlanta’s biggest weakness which is pass defense and a complete lack of a pass rush (they’re last in the NFL in both sacks and pressure rate). The Giants just don’t have the personnel to compete at the moment. So rest easy, faithful fans. The streak will continue.
Pick: Falcons
Valentine’s View
Before the Falcons announced the switch from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr. I had made up my mind about how I was going to pick this game. I am going to stick with my original plan, even though the switch to Penix provides uncertainty.
Atlanta is a beatable football team. I think the Giants are going to find a way to win a game before the season is over, messing up fans’ dreams of “earning” the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. So, yes, I am actually going to do this.
Pick: Giants
