Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants: Full New York Preview
The Carolina Panthers are the NFL's lone remaining undefeated team at 13-0, and the New York Giants have a chance to change that Sunday afternoon.
The G-Men have a knack for ruining perfect seasons, as they notoriously put an end to the New England Patriots' quest for a 19-0 season by beating them in Super Bowl XLII.
Though this current version of the Giants is a far cry from that one, anything is possible in the NFL, especially at home.
Here's a full game preview, including news and matchups to keep an eye on this Sunday.
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 1 p.m. PT
TV: Fox
Week 14 Results and Recap
1 of 6
With their backs against the wall, the Giants treated their matchup against the Miami Dolphins like a playoff game. And, if they keep winning, it could be the first of many.
Their 31-24 victory over the Dolphins on Monday Night Football pulled them even with the Redskins and Eagles atop the NFC East once more. Now the process begins again, this time against a tough opponent.
Still, looking back to their win in Miami, there were a lot of positives that the Giants could take away from the evening.
Running back Rashad Jennings' total yards per carry were still low, but he showed some life with 102 total yards. If he can somehow keep building on his effort and give the Giants a decent running game, this offense could be lethal.
Though the Giants defense wasn't necessarily sharp, it found a way to get key stops late in the game. The offense also kept the clock moving, avoiding a late-game collapse against the Dolphins as they've done so many times this season.
News and Notes
2 of 6
Jason Pierre-Paul unfazed by Panthers
He may have less than 10 fingers and no sacks on the season, but Jason Pierre-Paul has still found ways to make waves.
"We're not too worried about their record. We have to do our best to beat them," JPP said of the Panthers, according to the Giants' Twitter account.
The defensive end has become known for his bulletin-board material, though this likely falls short. The Panthers have enough incentive to come out and play their best, so it isn't likely that JPP put an added chip on their shoulders.
Giants sign Barry Cofield
Big Blue signed defensive tackle Barry Cofield, who was formerly on the Giants' Super Bowl team and also spent three-and-a-half seasons in Washington.
The Giants certainly could use a shot in the arm on the defensive line, though it isn't likely that Cofield will create one.
In eight games this season, Cofield has five tackles and one sack. The 30-year-old doesn't seem to have much left in the tank. Surprisingly, the Giants cut safety Brandon Meriweather to make room for Cofield, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Though Meriweather hadn't been playing well, the Giants don't exactly have a surplus of talent in the secondary.
Latest Injury News
3 of 6
Dwayne Harris
In a surprising development, wide receiver Dwayne Harris didn't practice Thursday due to a shoulder injury. It was his first missed practice of the week.
Hopefully, the injury isn't serious, because Harris has turned out to be a difference-maker for the Giants, both on special teams and as a third receiver.
Other DNPs
DE George Selvie (concussion), DT Markus Kuhn (knee) and LB Devon Kennard (foot/hamstring) failed to practice Thursday and haven't practiced at all this week.
According to Vacchiano, Selvie is still in the NFL's concussion protocol and Kuhn is "week to week." It doesn't seem as if either will suit up Sunday, though neither player is necessarily irreplaceable.
Injuries have been the story of the Giants season, as it seems to be just about every year.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Key Matchups
4 of 6
Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman
Thanks to a concussion, the football world was robbed of the great Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Darrelle Revis showdown a few weeks ago.
And while this isn't an all-New York battle, there should still be plenty of buzz surrounding this matchup with Panthers cornerback Josh Norman.
SportsNation broke down some of Norman's battles against the game's top wideouts, and he's largely neutralized them this season.
Among his accomplishments have been holding Cowboys star Dez Bryant to one catch for six yards and Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins to two catches and 22 yards.
While Houston's QB is nowhere close to Eli Manning, and Tony Romo was injured in the Thanksgiving game against the Panthers, it'll be interesting to see what Beckham Jr. can do against Norman.
Is he truly unstoppable?
Giants defense vs. Fozzy Whittaker and company
With the news that Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart will not play Sunday, the Giants will have to shift their focus to Fozzy Whittaker.
Whittaker, 26, has a total of 298 rushing yards in his three-year career, as well as a career-long rush of 17 yards. He doesn't appear to have any game-breaking abilities but may see Sunday's game as his big chance to prove his worth.
Whittaker had 34 yards and a touchdown on eight rushes last week against the Falcons, so he has proved that he can at least find paydirt with Stewart out of the way.
Still, it's likely that the Panthers vary their looks Sunday. It isn't likely that Whittaker gets 30 carries, so the Giants need to stop every other running back the Panthers roll out.
Matchup X-Factors
5 of 6
Giants’ X-Factor of the Week: Rueben Randle
Inconsistent wide receiver Rueben Randle finally showed up again last week against the Dolphins, totaling five catches for 58 yards and a score.
When Randle produces, he takes some heat off Odell Beckham Jr. and allows the Giants offense to function better as a whole.
With Beckham unlikely to put up video game numbers Sunday against Carolina, Randle will be a huge key to the Giants' offensive success.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Giants 16
6 of 6
I’m still not a big believer in the Panthers despite their undefeated record. I think the Arizona Cardinals are a better all-around team in the NFC and would also bet on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to knock them off in the postseason.
With that said, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Giants pulled off an upset at home, but I’m not banking on it, either.
The good news is that the Giants always seem to play up to their competition, such as when they gave the then-undefeated Patriots a run for their money before squandering the lead in the final minutes.
The bad news is that the Giants are a two-person team. Carolina’s stout defense has an answer for both of the Giants stars, Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.
If one or the other struggles, the Giants are done. The individual success of Manning and Beckham Jr. is dependent on each other due to the lack of secondary receivers or a real running game.
The Panthers have scored 27 or more points in 11 straight games, and that streak is likely to continue against the Giants’ Swiss cheese defense. MVP candidate Cam Newton should move the football and hurt the Giants secondary deep, and it isn’t likely that Manning will be able to answer, given the one-dimensional aspect of the Giants offense coupled with the fact that the Panthers have an excellent defense.
It’s nice to dream that the Giants will end the Panthers’ unbeaten season, but don't hold your breath.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Giants 16
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
