Falcons vs. Giants: Preview and Predictions for 2012 NFC Wild Card Game

Coming off a rousing victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the New York Giants are headed to the playoffs as the NFC East champion.

They will host the Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card round, a team that has quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner on fire at the right time and still sports receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones.

The Falcons are coming off a 45-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

When: Sunday, Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Listen: 660 WFAN (New York), 790 The Zone (Atlanta)

Betting Line: TBD

What's at Stake

The Giants are going for their second Super Bowl in four seasons after their shocking upset of the New England Patriots in the 2007-2008 season. The Giants had been scuffling before their last two games this season, but keep in mind they lost their last two games of the regular season in 2007 before going on to win the Super Bowl.

The Falcons have been to the playoffs the last three seasons, but they haven't won a conference championship since 1998. Last season they were kicked out of the playoffs after a 48-21 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.

Falcons Injury Report

Brent Grimes, CB, Questionable

Kerry Meier, WR, Questionable

Stephen Nicholas, LB, Questionable

Giants Injury Report

Jake Ballard, TE, Questionable

Mark Herzlich, LB, Questionable

What They're Saying

Said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, via The New York Times: “N.F.C. East champions. I won’t get tired of hearing that. We finished the regular season the way we wanted to finish it.”

The Giants have had an up-and-down season, but it's worth noting this isn't the regular season anymore. Whoever gets hot has a chance of winning the Super Bowl. The Giants have won their last two games against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.

Said Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution: “I think we just heightened awareness and focus. We’ve been very good at moving the ball, really the last half of the season, [and] we’ve moved the ball really effectively between the 20s."

After losing to the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, 45-16, the Falcons trounced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17, 45-24.

Was it a sign they are getting hot headed into the playoffs or a sign they were simply playing a bad team? 

Falcons Player to Watch: Matt Ryan, QB

Matt Ryan continues to prove that is emerging as a top quarterback in the National Football League.

He went 6-of-9 for 106 yards and two touchdowns before getting rested against the Buccaneers and he's passed for 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last four games. It is worth noting, however, that those games weren't against top pass defenses.

Fortunately for Ryan and the Falcons, the Giants aren't a good pass defense unless they create pressure and the Falcons' offensive line has been solid this season.

Giants Player to Watch: Eli Manning, QB

We all know the rising star who is rookie receiver Victor Cruz, but Eli Manning is the best player on this team and he has the ability to lift the Giants to the Super Bowl again.

Four seasons ago, Manning threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in downing the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Key Matchup: Tyson Clabo/Will Svitek vs. Jason Pierre-Paul/Osi Umenyiora 

The Giants had 42 sacks headed into Week 17, fifth best in the NFL. Defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora combined for 22.5 of those sacks.

Right tackle Tyson Clabo is a top tackle in the NFL, but he's still facing Pierre-Paul, who's been virtually unstoppable. Will Svitek is going to need some help against Umenyiora.

If the Falcons' offensive line can hold up against the Giants' pass rush, they have a chance of outscoring Manning and Co.

On the Hot Seat: Tom Coughlin, head coach, Giants

Tom Coughlin may have gotten the Giants into the playoffs, but they didn't resemble a dominant team for most of the season and that win against the Cowboys may have saved him his job.

But it's not over. Expectations are high in New York and another stinker could see management thinking about changing things up in the offseason.

Prediction: Giants 30, Falcons 27