An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Falcons Week 3 matchup at MetLife Stadium:
Marquee matchup
Falcons WR Calvin Ridley vs. Giants CB James Bradberry
It is unlikely the Giants will have Bradberry travel all game with Ridley, so Adoree’ Jackson will get his shots as well, but Bradberry-Ridley will be a frequent battle. Last season, Bradberry won the vast majority of his battles. Through two games in 2021, not so much. He has allowed 12 completions and two touchdowns on 15 targets. Bradberry did come up with a sensational interception late in the fourth quarter in Washington that should have been a game-winner. Ridley is a stud in a mediocre wide receiver group. He had 90 catches for 1,374 yards in 2020 and has 27 touchdowns in 46 NFL games. He has 12 receptions for 114 yards this season. He will see plenty of Bradberry.
“I hope they target James,’’ defensive coordinator Pat Graham said. “Feel free.’’
4 Downs
Tips appreciated
There were two tipped Matt Ryan passes, including one in the backfield, in the fourth quarter last week that resulted in two pick-six touchdown returns for the Buccaneers. There were also eight pass deflections, as Ryan was sacked only one time, but pressured often by Tampa Bay defenders able to get in the face of the 36-year-old quarterback.
“You’ve got to give them credit,’’ Ryan said. “They did a good job the entire night of continuing to pressure, getting their hands up. It’s tough to go against, but you’ve got to learn from it. You better.’’
The Giants’ best player last season at tipping passes at the line, Dalvin Tomlinson, now plays for the Vikings.
Young gun
Logan Ryan is in his ninth NFL season, and he does not go gaga when offensive talent enters the league. So, his comment was tinged with just a bit of sarcasm when he was asked about Kyle Pitts, the Falcons’ rookie tight end.
“We all know, he was like the most highly touted draft pick I ever heard of coming out in a long time,’’ Ryan said.
The Giants are not taking this guy lightly, though. It is highly unusual for a tight end to be selected as high as No. 4 overall in a draft, but Pitts, at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, is more of a total weapon in the passing game than a player confined to one position. He had four catches for 31 yards in his NFL debut against the Eagles and five receptions for 73 yards last week versus the Buccaneers.
Marathon man
The Giants are not in “Just give it to Daniel’’ mode, the way the Ravens at times entrust their young quarterback, Lamar Jackson, with the ball in his hands, and they probably never will be. Jackson is a freakish physical talent, but Daniel Jones is showing that he is in the upper echelon, as far as athleticism at his position. Simply put, he is really fast, though the Giants do not want him leading the team in rushing (Jones has 122 yards, Saquon Barkley is next with 83 yards).
“I think you want that to be a part of what you do,’’ offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said of Jones’ running ability. “I don’t think we’re going to turn into a triple-option team. I don’t think that’s it.’’
Who’s at center? What’s at guard?
The Falcons sacked Tom Brady three times last week — quite an accomplishment, considering how quickly Brady gets rid of the ball. This could pose problems for the Giants, as their offensive line is in a chaotic state. They have lost two starters (center Nick Gates and left guard Shane Lemieux) to season-ending injuries and surgeries. The replacements, Billy Price at center and Ben Bredeson at left guard, were acquired in trades late in the summer. The tackles, Andrew Thomas and Nate Solder, and right guard Will Hernandez are hardly dominant. Expect Matt Skura, off the practice squad, to get snaps at left guard and Matt Peart to get some at right tackle. A great deal has to come together very quickly.
Paul’s pick
Let’s face it, this is a good spot for the Giants. If they do not win this one and fall to 0-3, there probably will be no coming back. Maybe the Eli Manning jersey retirement will add some juice to the building. A deal is a deal, though. We stated here last week there would be no picking the Giants until they won a game. So, we have to stick to that.
Falcons 24, Giants 23