Giants Get By Falcons, 30-20: Three Things We Learned

If Odell Beckham, Jr, could erase the past three months of his NFL career, he would jump at the chance. On Sunday, the Giants’ first round draft pick finally should what he could do on a playing field and New York won its third game in a row in a 30-20 win against the Falcons at home.

According to the Associated Press’s story on ESPN.com, Beckham made his NFL debut a memorable one, catching a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning with 10:02 left to lead the Giants to a 30-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, extending their winning streak to three games.

"To be out this long and to have to deal with the adversity I have had, I just I have to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play and for allowing me to score in my first game," Beckham said after scoring. "It's just great to get that off your chest."

Manning said the scoring pass in the corner of the end zone was a route that the two had never practiced. Beckham made a double move and came back to catch the ball.

The Falcons’ Matt Ryan still threw for 300 on the day, but the game belonged to the Giants, a team finding its stride at the right time under Ben McAdoo’s new offense.

Here are three things we learned from this game.

GROUNDED FALCONS

Julio Jones was targeted 11 times in the first half. This is the second time this year he has been targeted 10 or more times in a half. That only happened once from 2011-13.

Matt Ryan had his issues as well. Ryan was 2-of-8 for 44 yards and an interception on throws at least 15 yards downfield. Ryan has been brutal throwing downfield in road games this year, throwing at least one interception in all three road games (0-3 record).

IT’S WORKING IN SPITE OF THE INTERNAL STRIFE

Plain and simple - Ben McAdoo's offense is working. Even on an off day for Eli Manning (19-of-30 for 200 yards and two touchdowns), the Giants offense didn't turn the ball over (special teams and defense accounted for the two lost fumbles). Short passing continues to limit the turnover risk, keep Manning upright and has produced over a touchdown more per game than last season

THE LINE WORKED WELL

The Falcons' line lost center Joe Hawley and right tackle Lamar Holmes with season-ending injuries last weekend and had left guard Justin Blalock out with a back problem. Peter Konz, Gabe Carimi and Harland Gunn replaced them and kept Ryan upright most of the game, helping them take a 13-10 lead.