Does this game feel different?

There’s no evidence to suggest that we are a better team than Atlanta right now. I do think we will beat them though.

The Falcons are not a good team. I really dont see us being better than 4-5 by the bye. I also think thats optimistic at this point. However if the Defense comes around to last years level Im hoping they make me eat my words.

There are going to be some ups and downs this year. My gut tells me they'll play well and win this week. Have some faith.

essentially on the line this week. Lose this one, and the odds are completely stacked against anyone being back next year. They need at least 3 wins going into the bye to have a chance.

I do think the schedule is much, much easier in the back half and could certainly finish 6-2. But 3 wins is going to be impossible unless they beat the Falcons, and hard to argue they'll finish strong if they can't beat them at home. They are the Giants in 2017. You have to think everyone feels the pressure in the building, these generally lead to boom or bust performances. Let's see what they got.

the one thing I will try and hang my hat on is last year the Giants did get better as the season progressed. Judge and the staff appeared to fix shit last season as we marched from September through December.

This year, through two games, I feel like the offense is further along than it was this time last year but the N needs to shore up some shit. If they can just get this D righted to a place that resembles 2020, the team would appear to be better than it was in 2020. A lot of IFs I know...but wtf else am I going to do. Wait all year for this shit...go out there and win a fucking game this Sunday.

circling. the media assholes will be unbearable.

because the Falcons are terrible. If they lose this game, though, the perception will be of a team in free fall and many observers will see this as a repeat of 2017.

in that if you can't beat Atl at home, there's questions on whether you can beat any team in the league.

In comment 15380210 ryanmkeane said:

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There’s no evidence to suggest that we are a better team than Atlanta right now. I do think we will beat them though.

Why do people say stuff like this?

The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses.

The Giants have played even up with their opponent in 3 out of 4 halves so far this season, and in fact the reason last week was so especially gutting is precisely because the Giants should have won. No one thinks Atlanta should have won either game they played.

In comment 15380231 djm said:

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the one thing I will try and hang my hat on is last year the Giants did get better as the season progressed. Judge and the staff appeared to fix shit last season as we marched from September through December. This year, through two games, I feel like the offense is further along than it was this time last year but the N needs to shore up some shit. If they can just get this D righted to a place that resembles 2020, the team would appear to be better than it was in 2020. A lot of IFs I know...but wtf else am I going to do. Wait all year for this shit...go out there and win a fucking game this Sunday.

I think you're right. I think the unfortunate thing after 2 weeks is that the offense (specifically Jones) is looking ready to take a step forward while simultaneously the defense (which was great last year) is looking lost. They need to put it all together. If they can I think they have a chance at 9-10 and competing for the division.

In comment 15380223 GIANTS128 said:

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The Falcons are not a good team. I really dont see us being better than 4-5 by the bye. I also think thats optimistic at this point. However if the Defense comes around to last years level Im hoping they make me eat my words.

I think they were terrified of giving up big plays early in the season, you are seeing it league wide. They should have adjusted against WFT, but that’s all under the bridge now. Graham wasn’t great week 1, but he got gunshy because players weren’t finishing plays on Teddy. Hoping they feel more comfortable tightening things up with 10 days to prepare. Still hopeful, but this is an organizational must win.

In comment 15380238 Azul Grande said:

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The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses.

The Falcons did get blown out.....by the Super Bowl champs. The Giants were hammered by the mediocre Broncos and their close loss came against the shitty-ass Skins. Do you really want to toot their horn for that?

In comment 15380238 Azul Grande said:

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In comment 15380210 ryanmkeane said: Quote: There’s no evidence to suggest that we are a better team than Atlanta right now. I do think we will beat them though. Why do people say stuff like this? The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses. The Giants have played even up with their opponent in 3 out of 4 halves so far this season, and in fact the reason last week was so especially gutting is precisely because the Giants should have won. No one thinks Atlanta should have won either game they played.

If the Falcons had better coaching, they are in a game in the 4th quarter with possibly the best team in the league on the road. There were some unbelievably dumb coaching decisions that put them in press mode in 4th which led to two pick sixes late. That defense is fucking terrible though, no excuse to not try to put up points. The Bucs tried to establish power run game early and it didn’t work so they went completely away from it. Hoping Garret was paying attention.

It’s an all too familiar scenario that never works out like we had hoped. I can’t help but feel that we will spend all week convincing ourselves that the Falcons suck and the Giants are desperate and we are just positive that there is no way the Giants lose this game. Especially on Eli Manning Day.

Then the game starts and the Giants are down 10-0 before your first beverage is even half gone. I’ve seen it too many times before. I won’t be fooled again. Win the freakin game!

In comment 15380234 Greg from LI said:

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because the Falcons are terrible. If they lose this game, though, the perception will be of a team in free fall and many observers will see this as a repeat of 2017.

I think what a win does is gets this team back to 'par'. Right now there is a whiff of panic amongst this team. Starting our 0-2 for the 5th season, not beating two 'beatable teams (by last and pre season expectations), horrendous showing in the 1st game/home opener, losing last second on a penalty. this is what Judge was brought in to stop. This is what DG was supposed to fix. A win says,'ok they beat a lower tiered team'. They won a 'winnable' game. While not a huge accomplishment it goes towards 'righting' a ship that is on its way to listing.

In comment 15380234 Greg from LI said:

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because the Falcons are terrible. If they lose this game, though, the perception will be of a team in free fall and many observers will see this as a repeat of 2017.

Yeah, it's not so much a "must win" as it is a game in which a loss is absolutely unacceptable.

It’s just another game and regardless of the outcome there are still 14 more games to play. That said a loss all but almost guarantees this will be another year of no playoffs - only six teams have ever started 0-3 and made the playoffs

In comment 15380263 Les in TO said:

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It’s just another game and regardless of the outcome there are still 14 more games to play. That said a loss all but almost guarantees this will be another year of no playoffs - only six teams have ever started 0-3 and made the playoffs

Honestly, as long as they win, I'm pretty bullish on them making the playoffs. The East stinks and the NFC has two teams and a bunch of mediocrity. 9-8 I think almost guarantees a playoff spot.

In comment 15380243 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 15380238 Azul Grande said: Quote: The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses. The Falcons did get blown out.....by the Super Bowl champs. The Giants were hammered by the mediocre Broncos and their close loss came against the shitty-ass Skins. Do you really want to toot their horn for that?

Hold up, what the fuck are you talking about? The Giants didn't get blown out by Denver- the Broncos made a number of 4th down plays that extended drives and wore out a very sleepy Giants D. One big turnover for us killed what would have been a game changing drive. The Broncos didn't blowout the Giants.

WFT is shitty now because, why??? So when the Giants offense plays better it is because the other team is shit?? Give me a break. We were one big play away from running WFT out of the game. All the while doing it with a make shift line that lost their best player and emotional leader.

The Giants SHOULD beat Atlanta handily. I think we see a major step forward for Jones and the defense.. If EE plays the Falcons are HORRIBLE against TE's and this is his game to show what he can (or can't do). That should open up KG, DS, SS and maybe even SB..

If they can't take Atlanta at home...were does the 1st win come from? 1-9 at the Eagles game might be very realistic. If they are going to save the season it needs to begin this Sunday against a team you should be able to beat at home.


This is a decision year for this franchise and they all know it.

the owner isn't on the hot seat. Who's firing him?

I honestly do not believe we are going to have a successful season this year, even if we were to win. Until the defense shows me it will not be picked apart by the likes of Check Down Teddy and Taylor Heinecke, I am not moving away from that position. Whatever you want to say about Matt Ryan and his ability it is a lot better than Bridgewater and Heinecke, so I am actually pessimistic that we can even win this game.

In comment 15380280 jvm52106 said:

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WFT is shitty now because, why??? So when the Giants offense plays better it is because the other team is shit?? Give me a break. We were one big play away from running WFT out of the game. All the while doing it with a make shift line that lost their best player and emotional leader.

Maybe "shitty" is a bit strong, but they are decidedly mediocre, unless we should get overly excited about their 7-9 record last year.

In comment 15380238 Azul Grande said:

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In comment 15380210 ryanmkeane said: Quote: There’s no evidence to suggest that we are a better team than Atlanta right now. I do think we will beat them though. Why do people say stuff like this? The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses. The Giants have played even up with their opponent in 3 out of 4 halves so far this season, and in fact the reason last week was so especially gutting is precisely because the Giants should have won. No one thinks Atlanta should have won either game they played.

Well let's see. We are 0-2. Falcons are 0-2. They played the Bucs tough until it got away from them in the second half. We played Denver tough until it got away from us in the second half. Yeah - we haven't looked as dreadful as the Falcons did against Philly but that was week 1. They imrpoved their performance in week 2 just like we did.

This game should not be taken lightly by any stretch of the imagination. We are 0-2 until our record says otherwise.

Win and they will know they should be sitting at 2-1. This team has weapons and a defense that should be playing much better. 0-3 and it will be something along the lines of "everything they have done that past 4 years has been a complete waste of time".

It's a gut check game if there ever was one.

the Giants will win. But a lot of crazy things happen every week in the NFL as we all know. Enough where actually it shouldn't even be labeled as crazy (like last week's penalty on the missed FG).

We better win, or what?

In comment 15380280 jvm52106 said:

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In comment 15380243 Greg from LI said: Quote: In comment 15380238 Azul Grande said: Quote: The Falcons have been run out of the building in two consecutive blowout losses. The Falcons did get blown out.....by the Super Bowl champs. The Giants were hammered by the mediocre Broncos and their close loss came against the shitty-ass Skins. Do you really want to toot their horn for that? Hold up, what the fuck are you talking about? The Giants didn't get blown out by Denver- the Broncos made a number of 4th down plays that extended drives and wore out a very sleepy Giants D. One big turnover for us killed what would have been a game changing drive. The Broncos didn't blowout the Giants. WFT is shitty now because, why??? So when the Giants offense plays better it is because the other team is shit?? Give me a break. We were one big play away from running WFT out of the game. All the while doing it with a make shift line that lost their best player and emotional leader. The Giants SHOULD beat Atlanta handily. I think we see a major step forward for Jones and the defense.. If EE plays the Falcons are HORRIBLE against TE's and this is his game to show what he can (or can't do). That should open up KG, DS, SS and maybe even SB..

How can you say we didn't get blown out by the Broncos?!? Even if the score didn't warrant a "blown Out" label that performance was a blow out that was easily seen by all who watched. If you just look at the score27-14 it's a blow out especially when you consider the last 7 point we scored were in the waning minutes of the game when it was totally out of hand. That Broncos defense was in a lazy prevent defense because the game was not losable at that point. It may hurt to admit it but we got blown out by the Broncos that day.

27-13.

the "crumbling" stage.

if we win this game, I don't think we'll win more than one or two more before the bye. The schedule before the bye is that brutal. If we lose, I think an air of despondency and resignation may set in that could make us 1-8 or even 0-9 by the bye.

and with it being the opener, I didn't feel like it was a blowout. Even at 17-7 heading into the fourth, I was looking for a spark.

It ended up lopsided, but for 3/4 of the game didn't feel a lost cause to me. I'm likely in the optimistic minority.

At what has been the worst team in football for a good while now and state, anything less than an “impressive” win in is unacceptable, is very puzzling

Until this defense plays better, the Giants learn to run the ball more effectively, there is little logic in expecting any kind of a win much less a dominant one.

Gettleman is on the seat next to him.. Judge is going to get more time from Mara

but this game is crucial

In comment 15380362 AcidTest said:

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if we win this game, I don't think we'll win more than one or two more before the bye. The schedule before the bye is that brutal. If we lose, I think an air of despondency and resignation may set in that could make us 1-8 or even 0-9 by the bye.

In addition to resignation and despondency, a loss and an 0-3 record could ignite player pushback against Judge could start to creep in given he’s young and runs tough practices but has demonstrated mixed in game decision making . We saw Golladay snap on the sidelines last week, albeit towards Jones and Garrett. It’s all fine and good to run extra laps in training camp when a fresh season is ahead - not as fun to do that when you are on a sinking ship

.

Going to be a fun day

We might get a win! Yay!

think you just wrote my game preview.

I was thinking along the same lines.

2013: smoked at Carolina, start the season 0-6
2014: beat Houston at home, got to 3-2 before failing to 3-9
2015: beat WFT on a short week, got to 3-2 before falling to 5-7
2017: brutal loss at Philly, started the season 1-8
2018: nice win at Houston, but started the season 1-7
2019: DJ debut for a win in Tampa (optimism), got to 2-2 before falling to 2-11
2020: smoked by SF, started the season 0-5 and then 1-7

Probably more of the same.

as a game they should win easily. I am sure the typical Falcons fan right now is thinking the same thing we all are. Their QB is better, their skill position players are better, they should beat Giants easily if the Defense shows up...blah blah blah.

This Giants team roster is built to win now and needs to start getting wins no matter who they are playing. If this current roster can't win, then the team is going to have to go through even more painful rebuild in the future as the next GM digs us out of the hole Gettleman created with the missed draft picks and FA splurge this offseason. Hopefully Mara has put the kibosh on any contract extensions until after the season.

They should win this game. I expect 6-9 wins this year. Losing this game might mean they might only win 2-5 wins. I think a step back from last season leads to additional evaluation that a 7 win season might not. I can believe Judge is a good coach if we win 7 or 8. I have a hard time thinking he's the solution if we only win 3.

In comment 15380263 Les in TO said:

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It’s just another game and regardless of the outcome there are still 14 more games to play.

I don't share that sentiment. A loss here would more than likely send the Giants into a tail spin. They need a win for their confidence.

But, football doesn't care about our feelings.

I do think the matchups in this one are favorable, though.

In comment 15380451 compton said:

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In comment 15380263 Les in TO said: Quote: It’s just another game and regardless of the outcome there are still 14 more games to play. I don't share that sentiment. A loss here would more than likely send the Giants into a tail spin. They need a win for their confidence.

It becomes alot more difficult to care or make the time for a team that just stinks. Hard to convince the wife that watching a 0-whatever team is appointment TV.

In comment 15380361 Harvest Blend said:

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the "crumbling" stage.

I get it. This team has been arguably the worst team in football for the last handful of years. But a loss this weekend would make me feel like this team would need to hit a brand new "Reset" button after a "Rebuilding Phase" that got them nowhere.

All that respect and optimism that Judge brought to the table since his hiring? It would be fully deteriorated if we lose this one. I don't think he'll be fired during the season unless we go 0-8 or something but losing this weekend would really make me take those Vegas "1st coach fired" odds more seriously. Not to mention that people here were in love with Graham (myself included), but now find ourselves confused at the state of the defense. Gettleman is already halfway out the door.

Jones had a really good game vs. Washington, this is the most optimistic we've felt about him since his first couple of NFL starts. If he has a mediocre 2020 level multi-fumble game, that would really derail that glimmer of hope we have about him after the last game. Barkley is already considered a lost cause by some, but another poor game by him and the haters will come out in droves and be ready to ship him out.

This is a "crossroads" game for so many members of this organization imo.

In comment 15380285 Section331 said:

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RE: I disagree with one thing the OP said - the owner isn't on the hot seat. Who's firing him?

I thought about not including the owners among the others I listed under "on the hot seat". They aren't technically on the hot seat in terms of losing the team, but they're definitely feeling the heat with all the negativity surrounding this franchise. Chris Mara is also going to be a guy who is slowly going to get more and more negative press if the team doesn't turn it around soon.

First, we should win this game. ATL sucks worse than we do.

But its not really an important game for the franchise. We are going nowhere and likely coming up to a multi year rebuild.

A win means very little. A loss would be an inflection point for the FO, coaches, and many players. Either way, I doubt many of them will be a part of the next good Giants team so it doesn't matter much in the big picture

Hold my beer - Jacksonville

eliminated the justification for NOT trading Barkley. He almost has to be shipped out at that point.

Does it really matter if winning this game is the difference between going 4-13 vs 5-12? Or between going 5-12 vs 6-11? I think by now we should all realize the writing on the wall and that is against this schedule, the end result won’t be pretty.

Compton put it well. A loss could ignite a McAdoo-like tailspin; a win will give the beleaguered team a breather and shot of confidence. This is the most important game of Judge’s career.