Amidst the many solid NFL betting matchups this weekend is one featuring two teams who are struggling after hot starts. The Giants started 5-0 and have lost four straight; the Falcons started 4-1 and have gone 1-3 since. Each team seeks redemption but only one will get it this week. Eli Manning and the Giants offense have sputtered during their losing streak but the Falcons offer them a good opportunity to bounce back. The Falcons are poor against the run and the pass. In fact, their 371 yards allowed per game is easily the worst mark by any NFL team with a winning record this season. The Giants rushing attack, which still ranks seventh in the league despite its so-called “struggles,” should have its way with an Atlanta “D” that allows over 130 rushing yards per game. Brandon Jacobs is heating up, too; the bullish runner is averaging 5.1 yards per carry over his last four games.
Normally, the Falcons can answer back with a potent running game of their own, especially since Michael Turner was catching fire, but there’s one problem: Michael Turner almost certainly won’t play this week thanks to a high ankle sprain. With Jerious Norwood possibly out too, Jason Snelling will get the rock. He’s capable of every-down duties but a matchup versus a Giants defense that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 2 wouldn’t exactly an easy one for his first career NFL start.
That leaves Matt Ryan to try and keep the Falcons alive in this one and he too has a tough matchup. Ryan started the year looking like a Pro Bowler and, while he’ll probably fly to Hawaii plenty of times before his career is over, he’s suffering through a sophomore slump of late. In his last four games, he has five touchdown passes versus eight interceptions and a 54.2 per cent completion rate. Teams have Ryan figured out; pressure him early and he’ll get jittery. Then he’ll start hurrying throws and sailing balls over his receivers’ heads.
I don’t see why the Giants won’t follow that same strategy this Sunday, sending the NFL’s No. 2 pass defense onto the field at home. The Falcons aren’t done yet in the playoff race but they just don’t match up well against the Giants. Go with New York in a slump-buster for your sports betting
pick.
Prediction: Giants 24, Falcons 13
