A look at the Giants’ Week 16 game against the Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta:

Marquee matchup

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Giants ILB Micah McFadden

Of course, this is not a mano-versus-mano confrontation, but these two fighters will meet on the field several times.

Robinson is an excellent player. He ranks fifth in the league in rushing with 1,102 yards, behind Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Kyren Williams. Robinson also has 54 receptions.

Was he worth the No. 8 draft pick in 2023? This is certainly controversial.

McFadden is one of the best assets on the Giants roster.

The 2022 fifth-round pick is the team leader with 102 tackles and is filling in on defense with Bobby Okereke injured and out of action.

Unfortunately, the Giants rank 31st in stopping the run, allowing 143.7 yards per game.

Paul’s choice

Normally, a rookie quarterback making his first start in the NFL would be fresh meat for a defense.

Was anything remotely normal about this Giants season?

Would anyone be surprised if Michael Penix Jr. lit it up?

Last week there was ridiculous disappointment with all the new people in the secondary.

The Falcons’ defense isn’t good – they’ve given up 14 more points than the Giants this season – but have you seen the Giants’ offense?

Falcons 27, Giants 16

4 depths

First timer: Whenever a rookie quarterback makes his NFL debut, there’s a chance he’s not quite ready for the speed and intensity of the game.

Micah McFadden spent four years in college at Indiana, where new Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was starting, and McFadden remembers Penix already coming out on top as a freshman.

“I remember someone telling me, ‘Man, that Penix guy, they installed the offense and he knew the playbook by day two,” McFadden said. “Smart quarterback, knows the system. I’m sure he understands the playbook pretty well. And sometimes with newbies they simplify it a little and keep it on point. “The guy I know never really needed it that much.”

Selection process: Some draft picks are simple and pretty obvious.

An example of this is the Giants taking Evan Neal at No. 7 overall in 2022.

There was a need for a right tackle, and Neal was highly regarded coming out of Alabama. He came off the board as expected.

---

---

It didn’t work out for Neal or the Giants, but the strategy in making the pick was sound.

Now take a look at Kyle Pitts and the Falcons.

He was selected No. 4 overall in 2021 — the earliest a tight end had ever been drafted — and was considered a difference-maker and matchup nightmare.

He made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

The last three seasons – well. In 14 games this year, he had 40 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns.

Give and take: It’s no surprise that the Giants had minus-six turnovers during their nine-game losing streak.

The great thing about this is that it actually represents an improved ratio over the entire season.

The Giants rank 28th in the league in turnover margin at minus-eight, based largely on their NFL-low two interceptions.

They have 11 takeaways (two interceptions, nine fumble recoveries) and 19 giveaways (10 interceptions, nine lost fumbles).

When you think about “making an impact” on defense, you don’t think about the Giants.

Next attack: The starting quarterback steps in front of a team banner on Wednesdays to meet with the media.

This week it was Drew Lock’s turn, making his third start of the season. Tommy DeVito, who has no concussion protocol, is the replacement.

“It’s definitely different,” Lock said. “But at the same time, Tommy was upset when the bell rang, he couldn’t play. I went in there, the heel thing happened and then he goes back in. We just had some unfortunate things happen to us and we just keep rolling with the punches.”