While New York has been playing a brutal schedule to start the season, Atlanta has not as the fresh Black Birds will be ready for this one big time. Atlanta will dominate the G-Men this afternoon as Michael Vicks and the Birds (2-0 SU/ATS at home this year) will have the Georgia Dome crowd set to explode. Indy, at Philly, at Seattle and home against Washington is what New York has faced this year. The G-Men got a much-needed win last week over Washington in a must-win game to quiet locker room turmoil. Atlanta was off last week after punking visiting Arizona at home the week before. And with difference maker DE John Abraham set to return today, I'm expecting a supreme effort from the Atlanta defense.
Atlanta's defense has only allowed one touchdown this year (the other two scores came off an interception and a blocked punt) and the return of Abraham (two sacks in only game played this year) is only going to make things easier for Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy and the rest of the Atlanta defense. Eli Manning is going to be a solid QB for years to come, but he still makes too many mistakes and this New York team is facing an Atlanta stop unit that ranks second in the league versus the run. Tiki will struggle to get his yards today. And Manning, who tossed three picks in his last road start at Seattle, will throw at last two interceptions this afternoon.
Vick, Warrick Dunn, Algae Crumpler and the rest of the rested Atlanta offense should be clicking today against a New York defense that has allowed 30 points in each of its two road games. Atlanta has the league's top-rated rushing attack and Vick and Dunn will both be breakding off long gainers today. Atlanta averages 234 yards per game rushing and New York is on a 6-26 ATS slide when allowing at least 150 yards rushing.
Former Atlanta players and now G-Men Jay Feely and Bob Whitfield, ripped Atlanta GM Rich McCay a new one this week for the way their departures from Atlanta was handled. McCay is well-liked by the Atlanta team and the Birds will come fired up to back their GM as well as to punk a pair of whinning former teammates who cost Atlanta games in the past. Atlanta will bring the defensive hammer, Vick will be solid and the Black Birds will utilize their definite home field advantage to win this game by two touchdowns!