Giants vs. Falcons Full Team Grades
Passing Offense Grade: B
Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Unlike last week against the Cowboys, the Giants offense was able to get things going a little bit against the Falcons through the air. Eli Manning was given more time in the pocket, and he made the most of it. He constantly got the ball into the hands of his top playmakers, as Odell Beckham Jr. and Shane Vereen tore up the Falcons in the same way Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles did the previous week.
Beckham Jr. wanted to bounce back after an underwhelming performance Week 1, and he did that early and often. His biggest play came late in the second quarter, when he took a slant pass to the house for the 67-yard catch and run touchdown. He finished the game with a dominant seven receptions for 146 yards and the one touchdown.
Vereen, who the Giants had big plans for in the passing game, was a big part of the game plan Sunday. He worked underneath and picked up chunk gain after chunk gain against the Falcons. He actually led the team in receptions, catching all eight of his targets and gaining 76 yards, with a long of 36. As a checkdown, he was making plays and getting the extra yardage for first downs to keep drives alive.
Unfortunately, that was about all the Giants receivers did on the afternoon, as no one else stepped up. Larry Donnell caught a touchdown, but the Giants seem hesitant to make him a big part of the offense. Preston Parker continued to drop passes, while Rueben Randle was virtually a ghost Sunday, catching only one pass for five yards.
On the afternoon, Manning finished 27-of-40 for 292 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. But, when the Giants needed him most on the final drive of the game, Manning was unable to get anything going. He missed throws high, and was unable to pull the Giants out of a hole he partially put them in when he fumbled with the Giants going in to increase their 10 point lead; instead of putting the Falcons away, the Giants gave Atlanta all the momentum in the game, something they wouldn’t relinquish again.
Because of that, and the fact only Beckham Jr. and Vereen stepped up, is why the Giants received a B grade and it couldn’t be higher.
Next: Rushing Offense Grade