Tuck, Giants expect a much different Atlanta offense than the playoff version from last year

Published November 20, 2014

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck would have loved to use last year's 24-2 wildcard playoff victory as a blueprint for defending quarterback Matt Ryan and Falcons on Sunday.

But he warned Wednesday that Atlanta (11-2), which would hold the top seed if the NFC playoffs were to start this week, is different from the team that was held to a mere second-quarter safety last year in the Meadowlands.

New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has installed a more varied offense. The Giants (8-4) expect to see it.

"They're a little bit mixed up," Tuck said. "I thought at the end of last year, they were a little bit more leaning on the pass."

Ryan can still throw the ball, of course, and Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez do their fair share of getting open. But these Falcons also heavily rely on running backs Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers, and the results show.

"On offense, they want to keep the chains moving, and they're kind of a check-with-me offense," Tuck said. "It's going to be a chess match a little more than it was last year."

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