Bracing For Long Week, New York Giants Host Atlanta Falcons

NFL News - November 17th, 2009 - Written by John

After an overdue bye week, the New York Giants are in for a breathtaking stretch run next week. Breathtaking in the literal sense, rather than the exhilarating one.

Owner John Mara went off on the NFL early Sunday afternoon through the New York Daily News. He complained about a rigorous upcoming schedule that puts the Giants at home this Sunday, then on the road against the Denver Broncos four days later. The game is part of the annual Thanksgiving Day schedule.

"It's not an ideal situation," Mara told the New York Daily News. "I don't mind playing on Thanksgiving. My complaint is sending us all the way to Denver on a short week."

The Giants can dull the sting just a bit with a win this week, though. They will have to do it against a bruised Atlanta Falcons team without it's Pro Bowl running back, and with a slumping sophomore quarterback. There are no current odds on the game, but we will be sure to have an update the minute they are available.

Michael Turner has already been ruled out of the game after suffering a high ankle sprain last week against the Carolina Panthers. He will likely be out several weeks. It's not good news for Matt Ryan, who has made uncharacteristic mistakes in the last several weeks, dropping his team to 5-4 overall on the year. He has thrown 10 interceptions over the last five games and already has more picks than all of last season. He has multiple interceptions in three of his last four games (all losses), and star receiver Roddy White only has one 100-yard game during that span.

But all is not completely a loss. Curtis Lofton leads the entire NFL in tackles (90) and anchors a defense that remains a top-10 unit in the league against the run.

It will be an interesting contrast as the Giants arrive with the seventh-best rushing attack, boasting two rushers with more than 500 yards.

Atlanta has typically dominated this match-up, winning five of the first seven matchups. But the Giants have won the last two meetings, including a 31-10 throttling in 2007.

Steve Smith is also hovering in the top-10 with 719 yards receiving.

Most online sportsbooks are not currently carrying odds on this matchup, including DSI. Looking at odds available in Las Vegas Sportsbooks, it appears as though the New York Giants are 6 point favorites over the Atlanta Falcons. As soon as online sportsbooks get around to posting these NFL Betting Lines, they will be posted here.

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