ATLANTA — It did not take Eli Manning long to study the Falcons’ defense and spot an area the Giants quarterback does not want to challenge: The ability of the two starting safeties to play the ball in the air.
Thomas DeCoud (five interceptions) and William Moore (four) have combined for more than half of the Falcons’ 16 picks this season. Manning was more than a little loose with the ball in last week’s 52-27 victory over the Saints, tossing two interceptions on bad throws and finding himself fortunate a few other passes weren’t picked off.
“Their two safeties are very much in the mix and around the ball, and [they have] two corners that are aggressive and that will jump things,’’ Manning said. “So they do a good job in showing some different looks and creating turnovers on defense. So offensively we’ve got to make sure we’re taking care of the ball … as the quarterback, knowing we’ve got to see where everybody is and see where their safeties are, see where those corners are before you make any throws and throw it confidently.’’
In addition to the ball-hawking safeties, the Falcons have experience at cornerback with Asante Samuel and Dunta Robinson.
The Giants come in with a depleted secondary, as CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) and S Kenny Phillips (knee) are out. Rookie Jayron Hosley starts for Amukamara and Stevie Brown will make his 10th start of the season. The injuries mean first-year player Will Hill will get increased snaps at both safety and corner back.
“I study everything, trying to stay ahead of the game just in case somebody does get hurt,’’ Hill said.
Domenik Hixon seems to have supplanted rookie Rueben Randle as the No. 3 receiver and Jerrel Jernigan got three snaps on offense last week while Randle only got one. Jernigan hasn’t done much in his two seasons, but he did finally show his speed with a 60-yard kickoff return against the Saints.
“It seemed like forever, man,’’ Jernigan said. “I’ve been out here grinding, trying to get in, [and] finally get a chance to make a play, so I feel good just to help my team out and contribute to my teammates.’’
It’s true rookie David Wilson will make his NFL debut as a starter today, replacing injured Ahmad Bradshaw, but Wilson has benefited from an unusual amount of practice reps, as Bradshaw misses so much time during the week.
“Getting all those quality reps, seeing the looks, he’s got a great feel for what’s going on,’’ Manning said. … The Giants have beaten two of the other three NFC division leaders, the 49ers and Packers, by a combined 64-13 heading into today’s game against the first-place Falcons.
In need of depth in the secondary with CB Prince Amukamara not making the trip because of a hamstring injury, the Giants signed CB Terrence Frederick off their practice squad. If Frederick, who played at Texas A&M, gets in the game it will be his NFL debut. He’s been on the practice squad since September after he was waived by the Steelers. To make room on the roster, OL Selvish Capers was waived. Capers made his NFL debut in last week’s victory over the Saints. Without Capers, the Giants will have only two backup offensive linemen available for the game, Jim Cordle and James Brewer.
The Giants will wear a S.H.E.S. decal on the back of their helmets in honor of the students and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School and the community of Newton, Conn.