Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at New York Giants (2-2)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver

*Keys to the game: The Falcons are in the unenviable position of knowing they must engage in shootouts to compensate for the league’s second-worst defense while lining QB Matt Ryan up behind an offensive line down at least three projected starters. Atlanta has the league’s most prolific offense through the first quarter of the season, but it’s a tenuous perch considering the state of the offensive line. The backfield committee is averaging a surprising 4.8 yards per carry, led by Steven Jackson’s 201 yards on 50 carries. His ability to keep Atlanta out of long third-down situations might be the key to Ryan surviving the season.

While the Falcons watch their front five crumble, the emergence of the Giants’ o-line as a road-grading unit has paved the way for the offensive resurgence over the past two weeks. Journeyman RB Rashad Jennings is averaging 4.2 yards per carry and being adequately spelled by rookie Andre Williams. Buoyed by an improved ground game attacking a Falcons defense that was trucked over by Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon last week, QB Eli Manning can continue to avoid forcing the ball downfield while looking for higher percentage passes to the likes of emerging TE Larry Donnell.

*Matchup to watch – Falcons S Kemal Ishmael vs. Giants QB Eli Manning: Ishmael has one of the Falcons’ two interceptions this season, but that’s hardly a resume that will scare Manning away from testing the second-year player in his first start in place of William Moore (shoulder)

*Player spotlight – Falcons OG Harland Gunn: Promoted from the practice squad this week, Gunn would be in line to start on the left side if Justin Blalock’s 102-game consecutive streak start comes to an end due to a sore back.

*Fast facts: The Falcons have lost nine consecutive games played outdoors. … Donnell has caught all 25 “catchable” passes thrown his way this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Falcons haven’t won an outdoor game since 2012, and with a decimated offensive line they run into another road buzzsaw in a Giants team just starting to find its offensive identity.

*Our pick: Giants 31-27