EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Five things we learned from the Falcons' 24-20 come-from-behind victory against the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
1. Julio Jones turns in another top performance. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones turned in another big showing.
He tied a franchise record with 13 catches. He added 135 yards and was targeted 15 times. His biggest catch was the 37-yarder in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning touchdown.
Jones, who was battling a hamstring injury, clearly didn’t have the explosion after the catch that he showed last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he caught nine passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, but he was still a force.
Jones’ 13 catches tied the record set by former tight end Tony Gonzalez on Oct. 7, 2012.
2. Bierrmann comes through. The Falcons were not able to mount much of pass rush against the Giants early.
They did create a big turnover in the third quarter. With the Giants’ on the Falcons’ 8-yard line and set to take a 17-point lead, linebacker Kroy Biermann stripped Giants quarterback Eli Manning of the ball and defensive tackle Paul Soliai recovered.
“Turnovers help,” Soliai said. “You have to get them. That was a good play by Kroy Biermann. I was just right there and we got the ball back for our offense.”
3. Alford has rough day. Falcons cornerback Robert Alford probably never, ever wants to play another game here.
With the Falcons ahead 10-3, the defense had a breakdown in the secondary that led to a 67-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Alford had Beckham, who ran a slant. He caught the pass and when free safety Ricardo Allen missed the tackle, Beckham Jr. raced in for the touchdown.
For some reason, the Falcons didn’t match cornerback Desmond Trufant on Beckham.
Alford had a rough time against Manning last season. He was called for four penalties but two were declined.
Allen, a converted cornerback, was the star of the win over the Eagles. He made a game saving interception and his tackling was solid.
Alford later gave up a touchdown pass to tight end Larry Donnell and Allen was benched for rookie Robenson Therezie.
4. Coleman's rib injury: Falcons running back Tevin Coleman was taken off the field in the second quarter after suffering a rib injury.
He was off to a good start and had scored a 1-yard touchdown run. He did not return to the game.
A Falcons official didn’t believe the injury was “too bad.”
5. Quinn's Falcons will fight to the end. The Falcons survived a couple of knockout punches from the Giants, but the defense battled back to get the offense the ball twice in the final minutes.
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