Hitting deep passes vital vs. Falcons
The Falcons have allowed an NFL-high 80 points in two games, though that bloated statistic is a bit misleading, as 14 of those points came off two pick-six interception returns. Still, there will be opportunities to make plays down the field for the Giants in Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium — especially with starting cornerback A.J. Terrell in the concussion protocol and out for the Falcons.
There must be more of what the Giants got on their prettiest scoring play in two games — Daniel Jones’ 33-yard pinpoint deep ball into the waiting arms of Darius Slayton in Washington, after Slayton beat cornerback William Jackson off the line.
“It was a good opportunity, a coverage we felt like we had a chance to get after,’’ Slayton told The Post. “Obviously I tried to win my route and DJ threw a great ball and laid it in right over my shoulder, and I was able to make a catch and get two feet in.’’
A key to the play connecting at all was Slayton getting a step on Jackson and winning quickly off the line of scrimmage.
“You don’t want the quarterback to look out there and see you getting jammed up, and he won’t throw you the ball,’’ Slayton said.
Despite this immediate advantage, Jackson recovered and his coverage was tight. Just not tight enough, as the ball was placed perfectly. It was a rare case when the Giants did everything correctly and were rewarded with a touchdown.
“That’s just pro football, the margin is always this much,’’ Slayton said, holding two fingers one inch apart. “It’s always a close margin. He’s a fast guy, I’m a fast guy, so obviously he was able to close a little bit. Better ball, better offense on that play.’’
➤ The Falcons will be without starters on both sides of the ball, as Terrell and WR Russell Gage (ankle) are out for this game.
➤ The Giants were the first team in the NFL to drop to 0-2 because they lost in Week 2 on a Thursday night. They are the only winless team in the NFC East. Just six teams since 1980 made the playoffs after starting out 0-3.
“How bad is it being one game out of the division lead?’’ safety Logan Ryan said. “Our whole division is 1-1, right? So, everyone loses, and we win, guess what? We’re division leaders next week. I don’t know how damaging it is with the playoffs, we’re one game behind in the division.’’
➤ The Giants added two players off their practice squad in advance of Sunday’s game. They signed WR C.J. Board and activated C Jonotthan Harrison and put LB Cam Brown (hamstring) on injured reserve.