3 key matchups: Giants at Falcons
The Falcons (2-4) host the Giants (1-5) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a "Monday Night Football" (8:15 p.m., Channel 2 Action News) matchup of two teams with poor starts:
Giants RT Chad Wheeler vs. Falcons DE Vic Beasley: Wheeler wasn't drafted out of USC, who's taken over for Ereck Flowers, the former first-round pick who since has been released. Beasley has one sack on the season and is overdue for a breakout game. Wheeler is 6-foot-7, 312 pounds. He gave up three sacks earlier this season to Houston's J.J. Watt.
Giants LB Alec Ogletree vs. Falcons RB Tevin Coleman: Ogletree, a former Georgia standout from Newnan, has 44 tackles in his first season with the Giants. After breaking loose for 107 yards in a win over Carolina on Sept. 16, Coleman has been stymied. He was held to 33, 51, 15 and 35 yards in the four subsequent games. Rookie Ito Smith also has been held in check, but has a rushing touchdown in each of the past three games.
Giants CB Janoris Jenkins vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones: Jenkins normally lines up on the right side, and most quarterbacks leave him alone. The one-time Pro Bowler has returned seven interceptions for touchdowns, including two last season. The Falcons power their offense through Jones, who has 44 catches (69 targets) for 708 yards.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
