Giants Country

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons: Live Blog, Game Observations and More

Follow along as we bring you scoring updates, big plays, and more from the New York Giants' Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Patricia Traina|
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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New York Giants

The New York Giants take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. The Giants are looking to avoid a franchise record-setting tenth straight loss, and the Falcons are looking to start the Michael Penix, Jr. era at quarterback off on the right foot as they try to keep pace for a postseason berth in the NFC South. 

The Giants meanwhile continue to compete with the Las Vegas Raiders  for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Per Tankathon, the Raiders have the first overall pick and the Giants are right behind them at No. 2. 

NFL.com, however, has the Giants first and the Raiders second. Regardless, a loss to the Falcons today and a Raiders win over Jacksonville, whom they face at 4:25 p.m. ET, will help to solidify the Giants spot atop of the draft.    

Follow along for game observations, scoring updates, stats, injury news and much more.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a touchdown with quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a touchdown with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) against the New York Giants in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter

FINAL: ATL 34, NYG 7

1:22 - And that's a wrap. Lock's pass intended for Slayton falls incomplete. Giatns lose tenth straight game, a new franchise record.

2:00 Warning

2:04 - Ugh. Wan'Dale Robinson gets called for holding ad that wipes a Tyrone Tracy touchdown off the board

  • INJURY UPDATE: Giants ILB Micah McFadden (neck) has been downgraded to out.

8:16 - Lock is sacked for a 7-yard loss by Matthew Judon.

8:45 -Unbelievable. The Giants get a 23-yard gain but Malik Nabers gets flagged for his second illegal shift of the game and his fifth of the season.

10:50 - Riley Patterson adds another field goal, this one from 37 yards. ATL 34, NYG 7

  • INJURY UPDATE: Falcons WR Drake London (hamstring) is questionable to return.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) knocks the ball out of the hands of New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) knocks the ball out of the hands of New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Third Quarter

That's the end of the third quarter.

7:19 -Bijan Robinson lscores again, this one a 2-yard touchdown ATL 31, NYG 7

  • INJURY UPDATE: S Jason Pinnock (eye) is questionable to return. (Note: He did return.)

14:27 - Goodness, Lock's pass intended for Malik Nabers is batted up in the air and picked off by Matthew Judon, who returns it 26 yards for the touchdown. The Giants' right side of the offensive line has been a disaster today. ATL 24, NYG 7

  • INJURY UPDATE: Giants ILB Micah McFadden (neck) is questionable to return.
  • INJURY UPDATE: Falcons DB Antonio Hamilton has been downgraded to out.
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Halftime Stats

QB Michael Penix Jr.: 9 of 16, 110 yards, 1 INT; RB Bijan Robinson: 12 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD; WR Darnell Mooney: 4 catches, 70 yards

QB Drew Lock: 11 of 19, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; RB Tyrone Tracy 6 carries, 22 yards; Wan'Dale Robinson: 4 catches, 38 yards

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Second Quarter

Haltime. Atlanta 17, New York Giants 7.

0:16—Falcons TE Kyle Pitts never secures the ball, and Cor'Dale Flott comes up with the interception. It's only the Giants' third INT this season and the second by a defensive back. That snuffed out a Falcons scoring drive.

  • INJURY WATCH: Giants ILB Micah McFadden was slow to get up, so we'll see if he returns. Ty Summers replaces him.

1:35 - And another turnover by the Giants. Lock is sacked by Kaden Elliss and loses the ball. Arnold Ebiketie recovers it at the Giants' 31-yard line.

1:48 - And the Falcons break this game open on Bijan Robinson's 4-yard touchdown run which he bounced outside. Good block by Drake London on Deonte Banks on that play; poor job by Giants defenders in getting off their blocks. ATL 17, NYG 7.

2:00 Warning. This game is going fast.

3:46 - CB Deonte Banks, in his first game back from a rib injury, draws a DPI on an incomplete pass to Darnell Mooney. That's a 30-yard penalty.

6:02 - Lock gets sacked for a 4-yard loss by Arnold Ebiketie.

8:05 - Ugh! Drew Lock's pass intended for Wan'Dale Robinson was picked off by Jessie Bates, who returned it 55 yards for the touchdown. An illegal shift on Malik Nabers, his fourth this season, was declined. ATL 10, NYG 7

Lock's pass was late. That's also Lock's second Pick-6 in three games.

10:41 - Riley Patterson's second field goal attempt, this one from 52 yards is good. NYG 7, ATL 3

15:00 - And the Giants get on the board with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock to Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Nice drive. NYG 7, ATL 0

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) passes under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

First Quarter

And that's the end of the first quarter. Giants are currently in the midst of a 13=play drive and are knocking on the door.

  • INJURY UPDATE: Falcons CB Antonio Hamilton is questionable to return with a quad injury.

7:29 - Malik Naber catches his 92nd career pass, setting a new record for a Giants rookie.

11:48 - Falcons with a very good opeening rive, but they com up mpty as Riley Paterson's 43-yard field goal attempt is wide left

Pregame

Giants win the toss and defer. Game on!

Pregame Thoughts

  • Might we see Evan Neal at left guard at some point this week? As I wrote yesterday, neither offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo nor head coach Brian Daboll firmly closed the door on that possibility. 
  • With the team having elevated tackle Tyree Phillips from the practice squad for this week’s game, all signs seem to be pointing in that direction should there be an injury or should Jake Kubas, who gets his first start this week at left guard for the injured Aaron Stinnie, struggle.
  • If Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. lights up the Giants defense, people will likely be all over the Giants for passing over him. But let’s keep things in perspective here. While PEnix is a good quarterback, the Giants defense is banged up and not at full strength, so some perspective needs to be kept here in the final analysis. 
  • I know that Giants fans want the team to lose out, but I can’t help but wonder if the Giants notch one more win before the season ends. Their best chances of accomplishing that are this week and next week against the Colts. Believe it or not, the team is not tanking despite what the fan base might be calling for.
  • Tyrone Tracy, Jr. was listed as questionable on the injury report but is active. Still, I wonder how much work he’ll get this week or if the Giants will give the rock to Devin Singletary more often this week, especially given Tracy’s “dropsies” problem.
  • I posted the stat below, but I am curious to see if the Giants line up Brian Burns against Falcons LT Jake Matthews, who has a higher QBP rate, or if they put Burns against RT Kalen McGary and instead give Kayvon Thibodeaux the more favorable matchup?

GIANTS INACTIVES: Cornerbacks Greg Stroman, Dee Williams, and Divaad Wilson, guard Aaron Stinnie, defensive lineman Casey Rogers, and quarterback Tim Boyle (emergency quarterback).

FALCONS INACTIVES: running back Carlos Washington, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, tackle Brandon Parker, receiver Casey Washington, and receiver Dylan Drummond.

  • GIANTS STAT: Giants OLB Brian Burns has generated 57 pressures this season, the most by a Giants defender and the 7th-most among all defenders. Burns has worked both on the left and right side; against Atlanta, he'll go against left tackle Jake Matthews (12.7% pressure rate this season, the 4th-highest among left tackles with at least 150 pass blocks, per NFL Pro) and right tackle Kalen McGary (7.9% pressure rate, the 16th lowest among right tackles with at least 150 pass blocks).
  • FALCONS STAT: Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has had at least 100 scrimmage yards in 10 games in 2024, the most by a Falcons player in a season since Julio Jones also had 10 in 2018. (NFL Pro)
  • FALCONS FACT: Michael Penix Jr. will be the first 1st-round pick to start their first career game in Week 14 or later of their rookie season since Patrick Mahomes in Week 17, 2017, against the Broncos. (NFL Pro)

This is how you build an offense:

Pregame Reading

New York Giants On SI Social Media

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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