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Falcons That Scare Me: Playoff Edition!

by Rich Resch on January 4th, 2012 at 8:00 am

Matt Ryan

They call him “Matty Ice” because he literally has ice flowing through his veins. It is a serious, yet treatable medical condition, but it also allows him to remain calm and undaunted in close, fourth quarter situations. Like Eli Manning, Ryan has been known to put his team on his back and lead them to late, game-winning drives. The Giants need to keep dialing up the pressure to beat their third “Ryan” in three weeks.

Sean Weatherspoon

A couple years ago, many Giants fans wanted Jerry Reese to take this linebacker in the first round. Instead, Reese chose some defensive end with three first names (Pierre something? He must be French). The Falcons have a talented linebacking core, with tackling machine Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas, but Weatherspoon is the one I would watch out for due to his ability to rush the passer and play the run. The Falcons’ defense is uneven, with liabilities on the defensive line and in the secondary. There are no such problems among the linebackers.

Tony Gonzalez

“Tony Gonzalez? That guy’s what, 40? His career is in decline, and the Giants shouldn’t be all that worried about old man Gonzo.” False. The future Hall of Famer continues to win his battle with age, having posted another fabulous season. His statline of 80 catches, 875 yards and seven touchdowns may not be eye-popping in this age of the superhuman tight ends like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski, but he’s still someone that should be watched at all times, especially by a defense that has had some trouble guarding the position this season (although a healthy Mike Boley makes a huge difference).

Roddy White and Julio Jones

If they’re not the best wide receiver duo in the NFL (Giants Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz may have something to say about that), they very well could be by as early as next season. White is unquestionably one of the league’s best receivers, averaging almost 1,300 yards over the past five seasons.

But as fantastic as White is, don’t be surprised if Julio Jones surpasses him and becomes a top-10 wide receiver sooner rather than later. Jones is a young Larry Fitzgerald (he even wears the same number); his size and speed make him a deep-threat as well as a red-zone menace. The Giants’ secondary has been dangerously inconsistent this season, and they will have their hands full with these two monsters.

John Abraham

True, he does nothing other than rush the passer, but the Falcons’ Sack Master General is easily the most disruptive player on a defense that doesn’t have a great pass-rush. If the former Jet is in top form, he can give offensive linemen fits. He’s also forced four fumbles, and we all know how important turnovers are (watch any football pre-game show and they’ll tell you).

Brent Grimes

Easily the Falcons’ best cornerback, Grimes will be tasked with stopping either Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz. There’s a good chance that whichever guy Grimes is not covering will be heavily targeted by Manning, much like what happened against the Cowboys. Manning largely stayed away from Mike Jenkins, instead targeting whoever Terrence Newman (and later, Alan Ball) was covering (usually Cruz). This strategy worked extremely well against the Cowboys, and it could have similar success against a Falcons’ team that ranks 20th against the pass. It should also be noted that Grimes was inactive last week with a knee injury.

Michael Turner

He doesn’t get the same publicity of some other elite running backs, but Turner is truly one of the game’s most productive and dependable players at his position. The 29-year old finished with at least 1,300 yards on the ground for the third time in four years, and has double digit touchdowns in all four of his years as the Falcons’ starting running back. He is not much of a threat as a receiver, but the Giants have struggled at stopping the run, and Turner may well be the best running back the Giants face all year.

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About Rich Resch

Rich is a graduate of University of Maryland and is currently the senior editor of Giants Football Blog. He is a former contributor to Hot Foot Blog, and a former featured columnist on Bleacher Report. Hear him live on "Giants Rush," Wednesday nights at 9 on Blog Talk Radio. Follow him @RichResch View all posts by Rich Resch →
  • Anonymous

    One thing that worries me in particular is Matt Ryan’s ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly. This could potentially render our front four inconsequential, which as we all know is the only way our defense can be effective.

  • Anonymous

    The only Falcon that didn’t make this list is a big blue alumni…Matt Bryant. This guy is a solid veteran kicker, and if this game comes down to a field goal I hope its Tynes lining up for the 3.

    If I’m the Falcons d, I do not want to face this offense. Atlanta led the league last year in zone blitzes, and with Eli’s ability to change the play at the line of scrimmage and adjust, we should not have a problem.

    Keep spreading that ball around and stay healthy and we can go far. Green Bay, San Francisco and even New Orleans don’t wanna see us again. They’re all pulling for anybody but New York i guarantee it.