On Monday Night Football, the Giants will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia to take on the Falcons. This Monday Night Football matchup will kick off at 8:15 PM. ET.
The Giants are coming off another soul-crushing defeat. 2018 is shaping up to be the worst season in recent Giants’ history. In the last 6 seasons, the Giants have one winning season (2016, 11-5 record) and have not won a playoff game since winning the Super Bowl in 2011. Eli Manning isn’t the only issue with Giants, but it appears as though his time with the team is nearing an end. If the Giants don’t win on Monday Night Football, then New York’s record would fall to 1-6 on the season. Essentially, this is it for New York.
The Falcons are coming off a strong showing against the Buccaneers. Despite the Falcons record, Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense is having a strong season. The issue for the Falcons isn’t their offense, it’s their defense. Atlanta is currently at the bottom of the NFC South and that’s in large part due to their poor defensive play.
The terrible, terrible Giants
The Giants are truly terrible. It’s not an understatement. In fact, it might be putting it lightly. The Giants are bad on both sides of the ball and it starts with their quarterback. Eli Manning is a train wreck, but it’s not entirely his fault.
According to NFL Stats, Eli Manning has been sacked 20 times on the season. The Giants’ offensive line has allowed 40 hits on Manning throughout the first six weeks of the season. Predictably, this has affected Mannings ability to be effective from the pocket.
Through six weeks, Manning has thrown 6 touchdowns and four interceptions. In a league that’s predicated on more offense and less defense, the Giants are far, far behind the pace of the rest of the league.
The one thing that the Giants have going for them: Saquon Barkley. Through the first six weeks of the season, Barkley has amassed 438 yards on the ground and 373 yards through the air. He’s their biggest playmaker on offense.
What happened to the Falcons defense?
Atlanta’s offense has the ability to win a shootout against any opponent. The problem is that their defense cannot stop anyone.
They’ve competed in nearly every game they’ve lost this season, but their defense just cannot get stops.
According to NFL Stats, the Falcons defense ranks 30 in yards allowed on defense. Atlanta ranks 31st in points allowed, giving up 32 points per game.
While the Giants are the furthest thing from an offensive juggernaut, it will be concerning if the Falcons are unable to stop the Giants’ offense.
The most frustrating aspect of the Falcons offense is the lack of production from Julio Jones in the red zone.
Julio is having another fabulous season. Through six weeks, Jones has 44 receptions for 708 yards. But, he’s not finding the end zone.
Through six weeks, Jones has zero touchdowns. It’s not as if the offense needs Jones to be more productive.
But, without Jones as the hyper offensive weapon that strikes fear in his opponents, the Falcons’ offense isn’t living up to their full potential.
Falcons Vs Giants Betting Lines
BetOnline.ag has the Falcons favored to win the game by -3.5 points. The over/under on total points scored is 52.5. You can read our full BetOnline review here.
My Pick
The Falcons defense isn’t likely to find their chops this week, but if the Falcons cannot stop the Giants’ inept offense, then their season is completely over. Similarly, if the Giants cannot find their offense against the Falcons weak, weak defense then they should just forfeit the rest of their season. Okay, maybe that’s a little too far, but the sentiment is understandable. Expect the Falcons’ offense to steamroll the Giants. The Falcon’s defense might be weak, but Giant’s offense is weaker.
Play: Chiefs -3.5 @ BetOnline.ag
2018 Monday Night Football • Atlanta Falcons betting • New York Giants betting • NFL Betting Picks Free