Giants Prepare To Face Panthers’ Running Game

The New York Giants’ matchup against the 13-0 Carolina Panthers is familiar territory for Big Blue.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara will have more to worry about Sunday than Carolina quarterback Cam Newton’s arm.

New York Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows that facing Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers is a different challenge than any his battle-scarred defense has faced this season. That’s got them back in the running for the NFC East title. The Giants average 3.6 yards per carry, third-worst in the NFL. Can the Giants play spoilers one more time? An undefeated team is a field-goal-and-a-half favorite over a team that couldn’t separate itself from the Eagles and Redskins. NY got its revenge, though, beating New England in the Super Bowl. They also allow the most first downs though the air in the league, with 191 converted. We have, for the most part. We had a chance to win every game that we’ve been in at the end, except for the Philadelphia game. However, and despite going against the top-ranked pass defense, Bryant can earn his fantasy keep on one play and I would be hard-pressed to bench him. So what would you say that 13-0 National Football League team would be favored by?

Buccaneers (+1.5) over Rams (picked Thursday): Been a while since I’ve seen a team melt down as bad as the Buccaneers. I was doing this when we were 3-8-1. “We can compete and we can play with anyone, but it’s just a matter of finishing. We have some stuff on the table, too”. “So we need to keep an eye out for him also”. “Our record – in our league, your record is what you are”.

Newton has a long way to go before being placed in the same category as Brady, a four-time Super Bowl victor.

The fifth-year quarterback has an NFL-high 27 combined touchdowns and no interceptions inside the opponent’s 20-yard line this season for the unbeaten Panthers, according to STATS. The Steelers have played desperate football over the past few weeks but remain on the outside and defeat here would leave them with plenty to do.

“That’s one of the things that Teddy adds to it and Philly Brown, is their ability to get vertical and if they can do that it really leads to some things and opens some things up”, coach Ron Rivera said. The Giants have been known for knocking off heavily favored teams in the past and I think they come up just short this time. Tight end Greg Olsen (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday, but he would have had a vet day, anyway. He leads the team with seven rushing touchdowns and has 480 rushing yards on 111 attempts. He has 43 catches for 796 yards and eight TDs in last six.

Wily head coach Tom Coughlin has been in this situation before and he will have been encouraged that a push for the post-season is most definitely on following last Monday’s 31-24 success in Miami. S Kurt Coleman has interceptions in last five games…. DE Jason Pierre-Paul has fumble recoveries in two straight….

Coughlin said he is hopeful newly signed DT Barry Cofield can supply a pass-rushing presence in the middle. DE Robert Ayers Jr. has three sacks in last two games…. How well this group performs stopping the run and generating pressure is crucial.

The team’s rise to respectability has been impressive, but not overly complicated. “Cam is pretty deadly with the ball in his hands and he’s like a 6-5, 6-6 Adrian Peterson. But, pressure, pressure on the quarterback, improving that”.