September 20, 2012
Coming into the match-up, it was going to be about which offense can out-match the other. With high speculation that Cam Newton and his young Panther offense would come away with it, the New York Giants came into Carolina and stomped the Panthers in a 36-7 crusher. After an impressive 4th quarter comeback by the Giants last Sunday, it was sure Eli Manning would have to do it again, but "Easy E" as his teammates call him, did not have to sweat too much in this one.
An offensive line that did not feature WR Hakeem Nicks and RB Ahmad Bradshaw and their Right Tackle David Diehl due to injury, there seemed to be little doubt that the Panthers would have the edge in this match, but the Giants jumped out to an early 7-0 lead thanks to a 14 yard touchdown pass Eli Manning to Martellus Bennett in the opening drive. Later in the second, Andre Brown would take it into the endzone for his touchdown making it 17-0. The Giants would score on their first four possessions along with a pair of field goals and go into the half with a 20-0 advantage. Later in the fourth with the Giants already up 26-7, Andre Brown would rush it in for his second of his two-touchdown night making it 33-7. The only offense coming from the Carolina Panthers came in the third quarter when Cam Newton dove in for a 1 yard touchdown at the goal line. The Giants would go on to win 36-7 in this impressive offensive and defensive display in Carolina.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said on a Thursday night that they came in here feeling positive and good about themselves, "We didn't turn the ball over which was big for us, we got some takeaways". In fact, Eli Manning threw for 288 yards and 0 interceptions. With this performance, make it 22 consecutive games with 200 yards or more for Eli Manning. This ties Drew Brees who achieved it in 2008. "When we run the ball our offense really gets clicking", said Manning relating to his impressive offense. A game when Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw did not play, the replacements really shined on the spotlight. Ramses Barden who filled in for Hakeem Nicks had 9 receptions going for 138 yards. Backup RB Andre Brown had an outstanding 20 carries including 113 yards and two touchdowns. After the game Eli had props for the two new replacements, "You never know when you're going to get an opportunity, you got to step up for it", and they certainly put on a display. The Panther defense focusing their attention on key offenses such as Victor Cruz were no match for these "killer Bs". Ramses Barden hugged his quarterback on the sideline in the fourth.
As for Cam Newton, he finished off the night with 1 touchdown, 242 yards, and committed 3 interceptions. The Giants defense that smothered Cam Newton and the Panther offense was led by Justin Tuck who felt great about their performance, "Cam is an athletic quarterback and hard to stop, but we got them". The end result surely reflected the Giants defense as Cam Newton was sacked 2 times with Osi Umenyiora(1st sack of season) showing honors in the second quarter as well as by Jason Pierre-Paul.
It was no doubt that the impressive performances of replacements Ramses Barden and Andre Brown pose as positive key options for the Giants offense later in the season especially filling in with the absences of Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw. It gives the Giants more dynamic depth in their receiving and passing game. The defending champs go 2-1 with this blowout in Carolina as the Panthers fall to 1-2 on the season. The Giants have a big one coming up next Sunday as they visit their division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
B.C Sports,
Brian Chin
No comments:
Post a Comment