Home field not an advantage for Giants against Falcons

The Giants have not fared well at home against the... — The Giants have not fared well at home against the Falcons, going just 2-7. (Nov. 22, 2009) Credit: Joe Rogate

By CODY DERESPINAJanuary 4, 2012

Sorry, Dorothy, but when it comes to Giants vs. Falcons, there's no place for "there's no place like home."

When Atlanta visits New York, it's anything but an advantage for Big Blue.

Granted, the Giants have to be pleased enough at the prospect of being in their own building, surrounded by friendly fans and playing on a familiar field when they host Atlanta in a Wild Card playoff game Sunday.

That meeting will be the 21st time since 1966 (the Falcons' first year in the league) the two franchises have gone head-to-head in the playoffs. Their 20 previous games were in the regular season.

History has shown the Giants have a tough time beating the Falcons when surrounded by all the comforts of home. The Giants are 2-7 at home against the Falcons and 8-3 on the road.

After winning 24-3 in a 1979 game, the Giants didn't post a home win in five more tries against Atlanta. Finally on Nov. 22, 2009, 30 years after they last beat the Falcons, the Giants squeaked out a 34-31 overtime win.

In that game, they blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and prevailed only when Lawrence Tynes nailed a 36-yard field goal 3:54 into overtime.

Speaking of OT, should the teams wind up tied at the end of regulation, history smiles on Big Blue.

The Giants are 3-0 in overtime games against the Falcons, winning 27-24 in 1981 and 16-13 in 1983, in addition to that 2009 game, which was the last overtime game the Giants have played. All three games ended with field goals, putting a lot of pressure on Tynes, who is 19-for-24 this season.

Another trend favoring the Giants is recent history. After losing three straight against the Falcons, the Giants have now won their last three meetings -- all coming in the Eli Manning era. They've scored at least 27 points in each game.

Manning is 3-1 overall against Atlanta, going 86-for-145 (59.3 percent) with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. During the three-game win streak, his completion percentage improved to 63.8 percent (69-for-108).

But that ugly record at home still lingers.

Fortunately for the Giants, that mark was earned at their former residence, Giants Stadium. On Sunday we find out if a new stadium can reverse the trend.