Some thoughts about Thursday night’s Giants-Panthers prime-time game and my prediction:
-- The two Eli Manning numbers I’m most impressed with have nothing to do with those 510 yards he threw for against Tampa Bay Sunday.
The first one is a number you know – the number two, which is how many Super Bowls he’s won. The second is 122 – he will start his 122nd game in a row Thursday against Carolina. He has started every Giants game since November 21, 2004. There have been 23 other starting quarterbacks in the rest of the NFC East since then.
That’s something to aspire to for Cam Newton, who plays a higher-risk game than Manning, who runs the ball only when he absolutely has to. Newton has never missed a play to injury in his young career and will start his 19th straight game Thursday.
But one very good quarterback for nearly eight years straight… man. No wonder the Giants have been so good.
The Observer’s Joseph Person has a nice story today about Newton and the question of whether the Panthers are better when he runs (and they certainly are, although there’s a danger element there).
-- The last time Hakeem Nicks played against the Panthers was in 2010, and the Charlotte product torched the Panthers for three touchdowns. This time he's not playing. That could be huge for Carolina.
-- Listen, you’ve got to come earlier to this game (which kicks off at 8:20 p.m., and can be seen locally on Channel 9 as well as NFL Network) than you think you need to. The new security "wanding" procedures in place are making things safer but also slowing things down at the gate. Don’t wait until the last minute.
-- As many of you have very kindly pointed out to me, I have managed to start the season 0-2 in my Panther predictions on game day. (My preseason pick for the entire season was 8-8; last year this blind squirrel did find an acorn as I picked the Panthers 6-10 in the preseason and they finished 6-10).
Many of you have also asked nicely for me to pick against the Panthers once again vs. the Giants to “guarantee” a Carolina win.
OK, fine. I understand superstition. It’s hard to pick against the Super Bowl champions anyway.
My pick: New York Giants 26, Carolina 24.
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
17 comments:
Thank you for the Pick, Scott.
Can someone explain what was so dangerous at the stadium before that they have to imply these new security proceedures?
What are they doing, body cavity searches on the 43 people who show up?
It isn't just Bank of America Stadium. It's every stadium in the NFL.
Without fully capable Steve Smith and Jonathan Stewart there's a very slim chance Panthers can win this game. Maybe Nicks will be down for Giants to help even up the injuries.
auIt's worth pointing out that the Giants are rarely that great during the regular season. Eli might be a good QB, but he also makes his fair share of mistakes. This is a game the Panthers can win.
If Panthers win the turnover battle, they win the game.
If Newton throws off his front foot, Panthers win. If Newton throws off his back foot, Panthers lose.
Yes the Giants won the Superbowl last year. They played great in the playoffs. But people act like they were all sorts of awesome during the regular season. Not to take anything away from them but they squeeked into the playoffs by winning the last game of the year last year. Had they not won that game they would not have made the playoffs. Yes the Giants are really good. No they aren't kings of the regular season. They won 3 more regular season games than the Panthers did last year. Heck, in 2008 the New England Patriots went 11-5 and did not make the playoffs. Congrats to the Giants for squeeking in and winning it all.
The next super bowl champion is playing this game...just ask Kalilly
I'm worried about our injuries. If we're real healthy, the Panthers might win. I just hate to go against Perry Fewell. He's a great guy!
So you pick Giants 26-24. The line for the game is Giants -1.5 and the over/under is 50.5. Do you think maybe your predictions is based on Vegas' predictions? Did you cheat a little to come up with your prediction? Or are you a lines maker?
I see a Pickfest coming, courtesy of Eli-mae Manning. He'll be so jacked about his million-yards last game, he'll be tossing boners to Norman, Gamble, Beason...Maybe even Kuechly. I'm thinkin' 38-10. Basinga! Go Panthers!
Hakeem Nicks isn't playing and that's big. Panthers will win this game and move to 2-1 and the National Spotlight
With Eli's penchant for 4th quarter excellence and Cam's penchant for folding in the 4th quarter of close games, I'm not optimistic.
Panthers definitely have this one, especially with Bradshaw and Nicks out.
I will say that the fans that are complaining about the security and the way things are handled, that you need to understand that wouldn't you rather feel better about being safe than sorry? Primetime game, everyone is watching so lets give up for those who do that job and I and my family would like to say thank you for the extra security!!!!
If the Panthers can get in the backfield with Eli and make him make those dumb decisions like we did to Brees this game is all Carolina's. The defense has to even bigger than they were against the Saints. If Lefell keeps it going the Giants could leave with their heads down!!! Panthers: 28 Giants: 24
Post a Comment