04/18/24
January 09, 2012
Giants Dominate Falcons in 24-2 Victory: The New York Giants held quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons offense scoreless, surrendering only a safety in a 24-2 victory in the NFC playoffs. Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns -- including a 72-yarder in the third quarter when Hakeem Nicks zoomed through a crowd of six would-be tacklers. "In what is becoming a leaguewide epidemic of bad imitations of opponents’ victory dances, Nicks performed his version of the Falcons’ Dirty Bird celebration dance after his catch," writes Harvey Araton of the New York Times.
Whoop, guess not. The Giants are charging down field now.
posted by NoMich at 01:58 PM on January 08, 2012
I will repeat my prior out-there comment. The NYG/GB game is going to be close and the Giants certainly could pull off an upset.
posted by kokaku at 03:54 PM on January 08, 2012
The Giants gave them all they could handle Dec. 5, and this team is really knocking opponents around now.
posted by rcade at 04:14 PM on January 08, 2012
I thought it was going to be unique, but surprisingly, this was the third game to end 24-2.
In 1972 Pittsburgh beat San Diego 24-2 and in 1980 the Pats beat the Bills by the same score.
There hasn't been a 27-2 since 1957, so Tynes screwed that up for us.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 05:05 PM on January 08, 2012
I enjoy it when a team opens the scoring with a safety. You figure that might set the tone for the rest of the game.
But when the topic of conversation in Atlanta turns to post-season disappointments, the Falcons apparently feel that it's not right for the Braves to get all the attention.
posted by beaverboard at 08:50 AM on January 09, 2012
Can we let the "Matty Ice" nickname die now? It's a complete misnomer apparently.
The Giants certainly know how to turn it around when they need it. They looked like garbage most of the season, and now they look dangerous.
posted by bperk at 09:33 AM on January 09, 2012
Here's the history of teams that finished with just 2 points, which had never before occurred in the playoffs.
posted by rcade at 10:39 AM on January 09, 2012
they look dangerous
First game this year that Eli didn't need to be out of his mind to will his team to victory.
Experts have GB pegged at 9 point favorites, expect that to move down significantly.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:52 AM on January 09, 2012
You would think that after that loss to NO earlier in the year, the Atlanta coach would have learned his lesson on 4th downs. While I don't have a problem with going for it on 4th and short, I do have a problem calling stupid and totally predictable plays that are exactly what the defense will gear up to stop. A QB sneek with nobody else in the back field? Hand off to Michael Turner. That coach should be fired!
posted by Atheist at 11:25 AM on January 09, 2012
The Falcons could have had field goals two times in the red zone and instead came up with nothing. Take the points, man!
posted by bperk at 11:43 AM on January 09, 2012
BPERK - I agree and wanted to add, it isn't just the points they missed but the momentum swing combined with how it fires up a defense to stop a fourth down attempt is very hard to overcome. Smith should be fired.
posted by Atheist at 11:58 AM on January 09, 2012
Didn't the Giants go for it on fourth and one inside the Falcon's 10 yard line? Oh, right, we're not talking about it because they made it. Carry on. Fire Mike SMith!
posted by tron7 at 12:57 PM on January 09, 2012
It's the right call if you get it, and the wrong call if you don't.
The Giants even talked about how they knew what the Falcons were going to do because they had been coached up about it. Ryan keeps the ball. Maybe Smith could try something else?
posted by bperk at 01:38 PM on January 09, 2012
I'll agree the playcalling was poor. I think the decision to go for it was just fine.
posted by tron7 at 02:46 PM on January 09, 2012
They way that the defenses are playing today, that safety may be all the points that Atlanta needs to win.