Charlotte, NC. Week 2 in the NFL was a big one for a lot of teams, as half the league was dealing with the potential of starting the season at 0-2. This was the exact situation for the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, as both lost their week 1 contests. Carolina bounced back with a nice home win over New Orleans, and looked very much like the team everyone saw for much of last year. Cam Newton made some plays, the running game looked strong, and the defense harassed the Saints all day. For the New York Giants, it took a huge 4th quarter comeback against Tampa Bay to notch their first victory. It was looking like the Giants were going to fall to 0-2 for much of the day, but Eli Manning brought em back for a late game win. So heading into this Thursday, both teams are coming off wins, and both are looking at this game as one that may propel them as they head into the season. Although the Panthers and Giants both sit at 1-1, these two teams seem to be headed in very different directions. With that said, here are the 7 reasons why the Carolina Panthers will knock off the New York Giants……
1 – Cam Newton - In week 2, Cam finally looked like himself and made plays with both his arm and his legs. He is one of the most difficult players in the NFL to defend, and is built like a linebacker. The threat of him running or throwing will help slow down the Giants pass rush.
2 – The Giants RB Issues - Ahmad Bradshaw may not play in this game, and even if he does, the running game has been lackluster to begin 2012. If Bradshaw is out, young runners Andre Brown and David Wilson will be leaned upon to do something on the ground. Carolina will probably make the Giants beat them on the ground, which will be a problem for New York.
3 – The Shaky Giants Pass D - This pass defense is iffy at best right now, and has gotten torched by Dallas and Tampa Bay. Carolina may pass more than normal on Thursday knowing this, and there should be plenty of places to look for Newton and his receivers.
4 – Panthers Running Game - Now that Jonathan Stewart is back from a sprained ankle, Carolina went back to the two-headed RB monster in week 2. The duo of Stewart and DeAngelo Williams is very formidable, as both guys got rolling this past Sunday. Add in the threat of Newton running the option with either of these two runners, and it should pose plenty of problems for the Giants sometimes overly aggressive defense.
5 – Giants Not Playing Well - Sometimes, you don’t need to look at any stats to see how a team is doing. After watching the defending champs during the first two weeks of 2012, they just look a little off. Is it lack of hunger now? Is it that they miss Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham? Hard to say, but it took a massive comeback against the Bucs for them to even be at 1-1. They just aren’t themselves right now, which won’t help having to play on Thursday.
6 – Panthers Opportunity - A home game against the defending Super Bowl Champions on national TV. This has been a recipe for countless teams in the past to make their mark and get amped up to show the world they will be a factor. Like many previous Super Bowl champions trying to defend their title, they typically run into some buzzsaws the year after they win it all. This game against the Panthers has all the makings of being just that. Carolina should be quite a bit more juiced up for this one, and that momentum could be too much for the Giants on this night.
7 – No Giants Urgency - New York always seems to play a lot better when they HAVE to win. When there isn’t much on the line, like in this early season matchup, it makes sense that they will come out a bit flat. After this one, when the Giants are 1-2, then they will get lit up by coach Tom Coughlin and probably play better in future weeks. A Carolina win this Thursday, 30-20, seems just about right.
Denver Sports by J Simp
6 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
J Simp
September 22, 2012 at 8:45 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Well, missed this one badly….Carolina ain’t quite ready for prime time! Looked as if they took the Giants lightly knowing that Bradshaw and Nicks wouldn’t be in there. That Giants pass rush is still one of the best, and when they are on, New York is still a potential contender. Eli and the gang continue to prove they are tough on the road.
Alex
September 20, 2012 at 7:45 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Giants will win tonight, 37-24. Just saying peeps. Both teams are great, but just saying, lol!!!!!
J Simp
September 20, 2012 at 8:54 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Yeah this an extraordinarily big game for Carolina. They need this game so much more than the Giants do in the grand scheme of things. The good part for Panthers fans is that Bradshaw and Nicks are both out, so it will be on Manning and Cruz to get it done. I see a 10 point win for Carolina, as they move to just a half game back of Atlanta.
ferd
September 20, 2012 at 7:02 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m a Carolina fan, but I’m worried about Carolina’s tendency to not finish games well and New York’s tendency to pull out a game at the very end. Carolina better have at least a ten point lead by halfway through the fourth quarter or New York may nip them during the last four minutes.
J Simp
September 19, 2012 at 2:58 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good stuff Nick…..however, The Giants being a little off meant their entire team, not just the offense. The passing game had a stellar day, but giving up 34 to the Bucs? The running game has been iffy too so far. We will see who is right on this one
…..I would stick with Cam this week over Flacco. Cam should have a bunch of opportunities to run and pile up yardage on the ground, which Flacco cannot do.
Nick
September 19, 2012 at 12:09 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
7 Reasons the Giants will win.
1 – Eli and the rceivers…best in the league. Even though Carolina has a top 5 pass D.
2 – Carolinas weak D line…they will not get pressure on Eli and Brown and Wilson will run most of the second half after taking a nice first half lead. Carolina can not stop the run.
3 – NY D Line – They will sack Cam and DeAngelo is going no where this year.
4 – Giants D backs will have a fortunate week…CAM will have to throw early and often. Webster will bounce back this week and have a pick…maybe pick 6.
5 – Panters not playing well…duh, even I cant use this, the Giants not playing well, they SEEM a little off is the most ridiculous argument I’ve ever heard. Last week Nicks and Cruz combined for 22 catches and 400 yards. Nicks named offensive player of the week.
6 – Panters opportunity??? Giants opportunity….Eli shines in primetime.
7 – Coaching – Cofflin will have his team ready…look at the change in motivation from the first 7 quarters and the last one. Giants roll in this one and yes 30-20 seems about right.
Unfortunately I have CAM as my fantasy QB…should I bench him for Flacco this week?