chris anderson: 2012 NFL NFC Wild Card Playoff Matchup: Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Metlife Stadium

This game will be the first playoff game in Metlife Stadium and the first playoff game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants in history. We have two solid quarterbacks heading into the game Sunday. Pro Bowler Giant's quarterback Eli Manning just missed being in the 5000 club with Brees, Stafford and Brady with 4933 yards passing. He did set an NFL record with 15 fourth quarter touchdowns, so watch for the late in the game heroics. They both threw for 29 touchdown passes in the regular season tying for sixth in the NFL. The 10-6 Falcon's Matt Ryan passed for 4,177 yards and had a passer rating of 92.2 both career highs. Leading his team with a balanced controlled offense. He will need to cut down on the chance of interceptions in the playoffs, the 12 he had in regular season could haunt him. With playing the averages it will be a duel to watch between these two talented quarterbacks.

Advantage - Draw

Eli Manning

Matt Ryan

The backfield of the Giants will have a balanced look with Ahmad Bradshaw healthy and Brandon Jacobs grinding out the tough yards the Atlanta defense will have to pay attention to the running game. The two backs carried 323 times during the season combined and rushed for 1230 yards from scrimmage. The injury to Bradshaw slowed him down but at full strength going into Sunday we should see touches that count!

Atlanta has the back of the game with Michael "Burner" Turner he was third in rushing in the NFL with 1340 yards rushing. A downhill runner that loves to run between the shoulder pads of the tackles just hammers the defensive line and gets their eyes focused on him and not Ryan who will be seeing pressure all day from the blitzing defensive rushers of the Giants. Turner wants to redeem himself. Over the last two years in the playoffs he has only rushed for 81 yards on 28 carries. Jacquizz Rodgers should see limited time like he did all year with only 208 yards rushing.

Slight Advantage - Falcons

Bradshaw

Turner

Jacobs

Rodgers

The talent on both sides of the ball are in their young and experienced receivers. Hakeem Nicks the leader on the Giants had a down year but still ended up with 1192 yards receiving and 7 touchdown grabs. His superstar status and experience rubbed off on the speedy rookie Victor Cruz who in the last few games became a target for Manning on long throws and touchdowns. The balance between the two receivers separates the field in halves and causes defenses to second guess doubling teaming. Cruz went on to a regular season 82 receptions, 1,536 yards and 9 touchdowns. Beware secondary!

Hold on to your chin straps Giants secondary. The Falcons have some speed and size that can make match ups almost impossible. Like the Giants they have a Pro Bowl receiver in Roddy White that loves to catch the ball, his 100 receptions proves it. The balanced offense and the emergence of rookie Julio Jones in the latter half of the year stymied White's ability to shine brighter. The payoff was a trip to the playoffs and a 10-6 record. Jones's payoff was the 959 yards receiving and showcasing his ability on the big stage. Both receiving corps have what it takes to win!

Advantage - Draw