NY Giants at Carolina
Time: 8:20 PM (ET) | Tonight
Network: NFL Network
Tonight’s week 3 NFL Thursday Night Football match-up features the New York Giants traveling to Carolina to play the Panthers. The Giants are coming from a big come from behind 4th quarter rally against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which we saw Eli Manning have a career high in passing yards with 510 total, but still had suffered picks. Also on Sunday, the Panthers won their first game of the season at New Orleans against the Saints who are still win less. Cam Newton had his breakout game of the season throwing 253 yards including an extra 71 in rushing, he finished the game with 1 TD and a 129 passer rating; 57 points higher than Drew Brees.
Both teams are fresh off big victories, but the Panthers have more momentum heading into this game winning a game in which they weren’t the favorites. New York is coming to this game with key injuries from wide-outs Hakeem Nicks (foot) and Domenik Hixon (concussion) as well as their running back Ahmad Bradshaw who has no timetable return set. The Panthers Jonathan Stewart and Steve Smith are both game time decisions with all indications pointing to the two playing.
Andre Brown who’s expected to take over rushing duties for tonight’s game is coming off a big 71 yard on 13 carries game against Tampa, as he should be able to exploit the Panthers run defense. The keys in my opinion for the Giants to win tonight’s game coming off short rest will be there defense. The Giants are currently the worst team in the NFL in pass defense as their young secondary core has been a big shaky the first 2 weeks of play.
If the Giants are able to somehow play decent enough defense to contain Cam, the threats at wide-out and the option offense, they have a shot at winning the game, if not the crowd at Bank of America Stadium will be cheering all night with Cam and company putting on a clinic to the Super Bowl champs. I expect Carolina to handle the Giants tonight easily.