Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants: Game Preview

The New York Giants have proven in the past that no undefeated team is too tough for them to handle. The 13-0 Carolina Panthers have put together a phenomenal regular season and may start packing it in for the playoffs. Without starting running back Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers will be using a backfield committee of Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert and Cameron Artis-Payne that is causing fantasy players all around the world headaches come playoff time.

With a team that boasts the potential NFL MVP in Cam Newton, along with two defensive player in the year candidates in Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman the Giants will have to bring their a game if they want to pull of this victory. Eli Manning has proven to play best during big stages and in this game we could see another memorable Manning performance.

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The match up of Odell Beckham and Josh Norman has been the talk of the media this week. The Giants may have to try and win this game using other weapons like Reuban Randle, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen and even Hakeem Nicks. The frequent use of other players outside of Beckham may be able to spring OBJ deep a few times throughout this game.

Players to Watch

The Carolina Panthers backfield: This running back committee will need to pick up the load of the work this week without their workhorse in Jonathan Stewart. Fozzy Whittaker looks like he will be the early down starter with Tolbert working in on goal line and Artis-Payne mixing in here and there. The Giants defense is not very good, pounding the rock early and often will open up the deep passes to Ted Ginn and Corey Brown. This odd committee of running backs will need to set the tone early if Carolina wants to run away with this game.

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants: This is not bold pick but it is the right one. Manning is facing one of the leagues elite defenses and will need to rise to the occasion to win this game. I believe Manning will go early and often to OBJ to show that they are not afraid of Josh Norman. Whether that works or not we will see but Manning is not afraid of a challenge and I do not think Josh Norman scares him or Odell Beckham, but he should. Manning must not turn the ball over, this should be more of a focal point than ever. If the Giants want a chance to erase an undefeated season once again, they can not turn over the football.

Prediction

The Giants defense is not good enough to hold this Carolina offense and Cam Newton. I believe Panthers will do just enough to win this game. With an undefeated season on the line there is no chance Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers take it easy this game. Manning throws a late game interception on the final drive to tie the game and the Panthers will improve their record to 14-0. The Panthers cover the 6.5 spread and win 27-20 over the Giants.

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