Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants followed a familiar pattern in 2012, after winning the Super Bowl in the previous year, the Giants failed to make the playoffs again. With that said, the Carolina Panthers will take on the Giants in Week 3.
For the Carolina Panthers to win, they’ll need to get after Eli Manning and force him into erratic behavior. When Manning is pressured, he can get flustered and misfire passes. Carolina was unable to do that a season ago when the Giants beat Carolina 36-7.
Last year’s encounter wasn’t Cam Newton’s finest moment. He was heavily criticized for unleashing his “superman” celebration after scoring a touchdown, while his team still trailed 24-6. To his credit, Newton has said all the rights things this offseason and is showing signs of maturity, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding.
The real question is which of these mercurial teams will show up to play Week 3? The Giants are notoriously inconsistent, playing down to the level of their competition, while the Panthers seem to take two steps backward every time they show progress.
The key to the game will be whether the Giants front four can get pressure on Newton, without sending an extra defender. Either way look for Steve Smith to break loose for at least one big play, the Giants secondary will not have an answer for him.
The score shouldn’t be as lopsided as it was in Week 3 of the 2012 season, but the Giants should be able to trek into Bank of America Stadium and come away with a victory.
Giants 24, Panthers 13
