3-0 Giants early in 1st quarter

The Giants showed this isn't going to be easy for Carolina on their first drive, taking an early lead on a 32-yard field goal by John Carney.

The big play on the drive came when Eli Manning fired a 40-yard pass to WR Domenik Hixon, who beat Chris Gamble and Chris Harris on the play. Charles Johnson had a chance for the sack on the play, but Manning stepped up and showed why he won a Super Bowl last year -- by making that sort of play.

From there, though, Carolina's defense stiffened. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs is playing but was only modestly effective on the drive. The Giants stalled at Carolina's 14 to bring on Carney, and it's New York 3, Carolina 0, with the Panthers' offense going onto the field for the first time.