What we learned from the Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Falcons

What we learned from the Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Falcons

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons is hit by Dane Belton #24, Cor'Dale Flott #28 and Tomon Fox #45 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons is hit by Dane Belton #24, Cor’Dale Flott #28 and Tomon Fox #45 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The New York Giants fell to 2-13 this season after another embarrassing performance, this time in Atlanta, where the Falcons defeated them 34-7.

This team never seems to disappoint when it comes to disappointment.

Here are five things we learned from the recent defeat.

This year’s draft class has not yet made its impact

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Dru Phillips #22 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Dru Phillips #22 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Dru Phillips #22 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Two of the six players the Giants selected in the 2024 NFL Draft – safety Tyler Nubin and tight end Theo Johnson – may be out of the season due to injuries, but the remaining four picks continued to shine on Sunday.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers led the team with seven receptions for 68 yards, setting a new franchise record for receptions by a rookie. Nabers also joined Anquan Boldin (2003) and Terry Glenn (1996) as the only rookies in NFL history with 12 games with five or more receptions.

Linebacker Darius Muasau led the team Sunday with 11 tackles (four solo, one for a loss) and had a QB hit. Cornerback Andru Phillips totaled six stops and had one tackle for a loss.

Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. had his first career touchdown reception, the first by a Giants running back this season.

Things aren’t looking up for Evan Neal

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 24: Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants watches against the New York Jets in a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 24: Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants watches against the New York Jets in a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 24: Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants watches against the New York Jets in a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Former first-round pick Evan Neal started again at right tackle and was, well, tell us…

Neal was again ineffective, to say the least. There is talk of moving him to guard because he is not suitable as a tackle. However, the team insists that he is one. There’s a lot of talk this offseason about his future – or lack thereof – with the Giants.

It’s amazing how this unmissable view has been completely ignored.

Mara was too embarrassed to be in front of the camera

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesDec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Giants co-owner John Mara turned away from the television cameras as they focused on him in his locker room toward the end of the game.

He was clearly disgusted with his team’s performance, and he should be. What he should take into account is the sad state the team has fallen into.

Mara is embarrassed (as he should be) that this 100-year-old franchise has become the laughingstock of not just the NFL, but all North American team sports.

The Giants’ brand is now synonymous with defeat after suffering their 10th straight defeat, a franchise record.

Drew Lock earned his bus ticket

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #2 of the New York Giants plays the ball as he is pressured by Dee Alford #20 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia becomes . (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #2 of the New York Giants plays the ball as he is pressured by Dee Alford #20 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia becomes . (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #2 of the New York Giants plays the ball as he is pressured by Dee Alford #20 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia becomes . (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Drew Lock left college a few years ago with high expectations, but now we can understand why he’s on his third NFL team and likely headed to his fourth.

On Sunday he just wasn’t good enough – again. Three turnovers, a fumble and two pick-sixes as well as many missed opportunities marred the day and left the Giants with just seven points on the board.

The Giants had 11 possessions in the game. They had a 14-play drive that ended in a touchdown and another 12-play drive that ended in downs. The other nine consisted of five pieces or less.

Do you trust this regime with the top choice?

November 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara, left, and New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen on the field before the game between the Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesNovember 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara, left, and New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen on the field before the game between the Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

November 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants owner John Mara, left, and New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen on the field before the game between the Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, meaning the Giants have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

This raises the question of whether this regime can be trusted with this election. They haven’t drafted first since 1965, when they selected running back Tucker Frederickson over Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers and Joe Namath.

There are a lot of moving parts here. Does John Mara want to keep general manager Joe Schoen and his staff after two historically poor seasons, or does he want to bring in someone new to lead the team?

Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t.

Schoen is coming off a strong draft this year and may have grown into the job. And do Giant fans trust that Mara will even find the right man to replace Schoen?

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: What we learned from the Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Falcons

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