The New York Giants’ D stopped the Atlanta Falcons when it mattered most — two failed tries on fourth-and-inches — and Eli Manning made the plays he had to make on offense. WIth that, the Giants closed out their first playoff win since the 2007 title season in impressive fashion. With their defensive line owning the line of scrimmage, Eli was left to cut Atlanta apart while Brandon Jacobs punished the Falcons’ lines of defense. What was ranked the worst of all playoff teams, giving up 25 points a game, the Giants defense gave up zero points to the Falcons’ inept and uncoordinated offense.
As slowly as this game developed, the Giants’ formula worked. They believed they came into the playoffs playing defense and running the ball as well as they have been at any time this year, and they went out and played their best.
For as well as the Giants played, one cannot discount how poorly the Falcons did. Mike Smith is going to need to go into hiding after some of the decisions that took place in this game. As we saw him do earlier this season against the Saints, Smith’s confidence his team could earn a few precious feet of earth went unfounded.
To sum it up, Mike Smith took points of the board (twice), pooched a two-minute drill by carrying two timeouts into halftime, and only got the ball to Tony Gonzalez once before the game got out of reach. Atlanta fans and media… take your shots.
New York’s defense pitched a shutout, as the Falcons’ only points came on a safety and their offense never got near the end zone until it was far too late. The Giants got pressure up the middle and they stuffed the Falcons on two key fourth-and-short situations (the second of which almost immediately preceded the big Nicks play). And while they lost two key secondary pieces in Deon Grant and Aaron Ross to injuries, Jason Pierre-Paul and the defensive front made sure Ryan didn’t have a chance to take advantage of it.
The Giants ranked 32nd in the 32-team NFL in rushing yards this year, but this looked like a different team. They’d been better running the ball over the final five games of the season, but this was a dominating rushing performance. Brandon Jacobs ripped off a key 34-yard gain and converted a fourth-and-1 on the Giants’ first scoring drive. He and Ahmad Bradshaw split carries and both ran with power and determination behind an offensive line that’s blocking for the run better and better each week.
Football as we all know is a game of inches and within those inches gained and lost is where the outcome is determined. Here is a look at the big plays and moments from today’s Giants – Falcons matchup that made up those inches gained and lost. (Hint: Some really important ones came on 4th downs)
1st Half
4th and inches to start 2nd quarter for Falcons. Well within field goal range at the Giants 24 yard line. Mike Smith elects to go for it giving up points and they come up short turning it over on downs.
Falcons are bailed out by the Giants inability to get the offense going. Snee holding penalty negates a 1st down then Eli called for intentional grounding in the end zone two plays later. Called for a safety, denting the scoreboard for the first time. 2-0 Falcons was the high point for Atlanta fans.
Jon Abraham almost got there to sack Eli. Big gain by Eli on that scramble, 17 yards for a must get 1st down. Keeps the drive alive .
34 yard run by Brandon Jacobs. Will not be denied, breaks multiple tackles, stays in bounds and gets into the redzone. Giants getting the 1-2 punch of Bradshaw ad Jacobs going could really open it up for Eli/Cruz/Hicks, etc
The Giants have their turn on 4th and inches. Brandon Jacobs with a second effort gets the 1st down inside the 5 yard line. Next play TD pass to Hakeem Nicks and a 7-2 Giants lead. New York approach was to use a bruising running back rather than their not-as-mobile- quarterback. Take note Mike Smith
2 minutes to go in the first half and Tony Gonzalez still without a catch.
Falcons defense makes a big stand before the half. Giants moving with a chance to get points. Chris Owens with the most crucial defensive play of the half. Steps up and breaks up the deep pass from Manning to Manningham. Keeps it a one score game.
Mike Smith takes points of the board (again), carries 2 timeouts into half & only got the ball to Tony Gonzalez once. If that does not say coaching fail I am not sure what does. Even Rams fans could be heard questioning this level of play calling.
2nd Half
Giants with 1st and goal at the 5 yard line. After the ball goes off of Ballard’s hands and a big, big, pass break up again by Chris Owens on 3rd and goal Atlanta keeps themselves in the game by forcing a field goal and keeping it a one score game.
4th and less than 1 for Atlanta at the New York 20. Call like in the 1st quarter is a keeper to Matt Ryan and again he is stuffed. Side note, Michael Turner not even on the field for the play. Head coach Mike Smith again takes points of the board for the third time in what is a close, close game. Huge coaching fail in my opinion.
Momentum…if you belive in it. Strongly on the Giants side. Three plays after taking over on downs Manning hits Nicks wide open over the middle for a 72-yard TD strike. In all reality this more than likely puts the Falcons on ice.
With 10 minutes to go, Eli officially put this game out of reach with a 27 yard strike. Impressive as his presense was in the pocket waiting for the play to develop and looking over his reads the pass was even more so. Hitting Manningham over his shoulder in stride with about 3 yards to go in the back of the endzone.
Falcons again are unable to get anything done or move the ball. With 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter Atlanta is a combined 4-15 on 3rd and 4th downs. That in itself has played as much into the outcome of this game as anything.
Closing in on 175 yards rushing, the Giants controlled the clock and the pace of the game in the second half. Giving it back to the Falcons with roughly three minutes to go the Giants masterfully put the game away with a combination of Jacobs and quick strikes from Eli. Atlanta did nothing today to combat their reputation as a poor road and playoff team.
Looking ahead
Those injuries to Ross and Grant, which are a concussion and a groin injury respectively, could be a problem if they linger into next week. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is far more mobile than Ryan is, and he should be able to buy more time to find his receivers deep in the secondary even if the Giants can pressure him the way they hassled Ryan. But that’s a worry for next week. Right now, the Giants are flying high and into the second round.
Next: The Giants travel to Green Bay, Wis., where they will play the 15-1 defending Super Bowl champion Packers next Sunday. A victory would put the Giants in the NFC Championship Game against either the Saints or 49ers.
