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AT FIRST GLANCE**
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Like last week, the Giants took a lead into the fourth quarter but could not finish as they fell 24-20 to the Atlanta Falcons in their home opener at MetLife Stadium.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Giants, who dropped to 0-2, have a quick turnaround before they host the Washington Redskins on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. Big Blue defeated Washington in both of their meetings last season.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
After Odell Beckham Jr. was held to five receptions for 44 yards on eight targets in Week 1, the Giants knew they had to get the ball into the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year's hands more often.
Beckham sparked the team with a 67-yard touchdown from quarterback Eli Manning to tie the game with 3:19 to play in the second quarter.
Beckham finished with seven receptions for 146 yards and the score, while Manning went 27 of 40 for 292 yards and two touchdowns in addition to a career-long rush of 23 yards.
Meanwhile, an ankle sprain to rookie left tackle and first-round pick Ereck Flowers caused the Giants to shift their offensive line early in the second half. In his place, Justin Pugh slid over from left guard, where John Jerry took over.
The Giants finished the drive with Manning's 10-yard touchdown to tight end Larry Donnell that gave the Giants a 10-point lead at the time. However, they couldn't find the end zone again when they needed it the most with a minute remaining in the game and down by four points.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
The Giants had to face Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan and one of the best receiving tandems in Julio Jones without Playing without veteran cornerback Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie for most of the game. Rodgers-Cromartie suffered a burner while making a tackle on the first play of the game, returned in the second quarter, and then suffered a concussion that ended his day. After they didn't record a sack in Dallas, the Giants were credited with eight quarterback hits and two sacks from Cullen Jenkins and Robert Ayers Jr.
However, like that game last week, the defense was put to the test on a crucial drive in the fourth quarter and did not pass. Ryan led a seven-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by Devonta Freeman to give the Falcons a 24-20 lead with 1:14 remaining.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Photos from the Giants Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons
RB SHANE VEREEN
QB ELI MANNING
RB ANDRE WILLIAMS
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO
TE JEROME CUNNINGHAM
LB DEVON KENNARD
WR DWAYNE HARRIS
Harris provided a spark in the return game, including a 41-yarder on kickoff and another for 23 yards on a punt. Kicker Josh Brown made both of his field goals (long of 44) in addition to two extra points.
New punter Brad Wing continued to show why the Giants traded for him, landing three punts inside the 20-yard line, including one that Harris downed at the 2-yard line with eight minutes left in a three-point game at the time.
INACTIVES
NYG: WR Victor Cruz, LB Jon Beason, TE Daniel Fells, S Cooper Taylor, DE Owa Odighizuwa, OL Bobby Hart, DT Markus Kuhn.
ATL: WR Justin Hardy, WR Devin Hester, OLB Brooks Reed, C Gino Gradkowski, OT Bryce Harris, OT Jake Long, DE Malliciah Goodman.
LINEUP CHANGES
NYG: Rueben Randle for Cruz at WR; Kerry Wynn for George Selvie for Cullen Jenkins at LDE; Jenkins for Kuhn at LDT; Uani 'Unga for Beason at MLB.
ATL: none.
GAME CAPTAINS
Rodgers-Cromartie and Jenkins in addition to season captains Eli Manning, Zak DeOssie, and Jon Beason (out).
INJURY REPORT
NYG: Rodgers-Cromartie (burner/concussion), Flowers (ankle sprain). ATL: LB Paul Worrilow (calf), RB Tevin Coleman (rib).
