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ATLANTA — In this case, the Giants hope familiarity breeds success.
They are on the road again today for what they are treating as a must-win game oozing with playoff implications, a late-season test of where they are and, more importantly, where they might be going.
“We’ve come to be very accustomed to this,’’ Justin Tuck said. “It’s kind of old news for us. But we relish this role. We relish playing meaningful games in December, especially on the road where we’ve had a lot of success under Coach [Tom] Coughlin’s tutelage about being on the road late in the season.’’
This time, the Giants get to come out of the cold and step into the climate-controlled Georgia Dome to face the 11-2 Falcons, owners of the best record in the NFC, a team that already has clinched the NFC South and is vying for the No. 1 seed in the conference. That incentive is a sharp contrast to the way the Giants (8-5) are clinging to their one-game lead in the NFC East, with the Redskins and Cowboys (both 7-6) in hot pursuit.
“At the end of the day, we have to win this game, and I think it’s more important to us than it is to them at this point,’’ Osi Umenyiora said.
“I think we like to show our stuff against the big-time opponents,’’ Victor Cruz added. “I don’t know why. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about it. I think we always come to play when we play against those big teams — against the Green Bays and the San Franciscos — and this team is no different. Hopefully we can come with that same kind of performance and get another victory under our belts.’’
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Falcons DE John Abraham vs. Giants LT Will Beatty: The Falcons have 28 sacks, and Abraham has 10 of them — plus four forced fumbles. He has been a premier pass-rusher and disruptive force since his days with the Jets. Beatty has been durable and consistent in his first full year as a starter but can’t take any of those drive-killing holding penalties as he tries to keep Abraham from charging in on Eli Manning.
TOUGH LOVE
RB David Wilson was the breakout star of the 52-point eruption against the Saints, but offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is not going gaga.
“He’s had chances. That was the first time he’s done anything,’’ Gilbride said.
With Ahmad Bradshaw out with a sprained knee, Wilson advances from a change of pace to setting the pace as he readies for his first NFL start. The Falcons aren’t anything special (127 yards allowed per game) against the run, and it is Wilson’s ball, with newcomers Kregg Lumpkin and Ryan Torain the only options, other than fullback Henry Hynoski.
“It’s football. I’ve been playing it for a while now,’’ Wilson said. “The coaches know how to figure it out and decipher and give breathers and I’m not the only running back on the team.’’
END GAME
Jacquian Williams slipped back onto the field last week after missing the previous six games with a strained knee and, as Wilson ran wild with the ball in his hands, one of the team’s best athletes on the defensive side made a quieter impact.
“If I’m not mistaken, [Saints TE Jimmy] Graham did not have a catch against Jacquian Williams,” defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said.
Williams is the fastest linebacker on the roster, and his versatility makes him a Fewell favorite. Williams could run with the towering Graham. Up next is Tony Gonzalez, who doesn’t run as well as he once did but in his 16th season is tearing it up with 81 receptions for 831 yards and seven touchdowns. Physically, Williams is up to this challenge, but Gonzalez is so savvy that he could have his way with Williams, in just his second NFL season.
“I think I was asked last week, ‘What do you see when [Williams] comes back,’ ” Fewell said. “You see speed, you see quickness. You see an element you almost forgot about because he hasn’t been with you and you say, ‘Oh man, yeah, I can use this.’ We’ll definitely use him to our advantage.’’
REVENGE IS MINE
Nothing the Falcons do today does anything to discount or dismiss last season’s humbling 24-2 playoff loss to the Giants, which in some circles exposed Atlanta as a Super Bowl pretender. Nothing the Falcons do this regular season will have much bearing on changing that perception, as it’s all about the playoffs for Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan, who are 0-3 in the postseason.
Still, seeing the Giants will stir up memories — all bad.
“Last year is last year, this year presents a totally different team, different mentality,’’ Antrel Rolle said. “That team is 11-2, which is hard to do in the NFL, no matter what division you’re in, no matter who you’re playing.’’
SHOP AT TARGET
No offense in the league has three players who have combined for more receiving yards than Roddy White (1,140), Julio Jones (997) and Gonzalez (831). The Falcons in the past were an incredibly well-balanced attack, but they have slumped in the rushing department this season, with Michael Turner averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and Jacquizz Rodgers surfacing as the more effective runner. Still, it’s a tough attack to keep quiet, especially in a noisy indoor playpen. White is questionable with a knee injury, but the Giants are going without two starters in their secondary — cornerback Prince Amukamara and safety Kenny Phillips.
paul.schwartz@nypost.com