Big Blue View
Can the Giants take care of business in Munich?
The New York Giants will take on the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, as a part of the NFL’s international series this week.
This is a battle between 2-7 teams who are searching for signs of growth in their team in the middle of disappointing seasons. The Panthers got a glimpse of what they’ve long hoped to see from Bryce Young last week against the New Orleans Saints, while the Giants were able to mount an offense against the Washington Commanders.
The Giants come into this game as heavy favorites (6.5 points, per FanDuel sports book, which is heavy by their standards) but can they take care of business?
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The matchup everyone has been waiting for. When the Giants have the ball, it will be the resistible force against the movable object. The Giants’ offensive woes are well known, but they did move the ball and even score touchdowns against Washington. The Panthers have possibly the NFL’s worst defense, having given up at least 34 points five times and more yards than any other team. They pressure the quarterback about half as often as the Giants do, mostly Jadaveon Clowney and Charles Harris, but they have a solid secondary led by Jaycee Horn. Their interior run defense is soft as a pillow, though, so don’t be surprised to see Brian Daboll come out running the ball a lot like last Sunday. With a bye coming up, though, this would be a natural time to make a change at quarterback if the Giants lose, so I expect Daboll to give Daniel Jones chances to take shots downfield as the game goes on to inform such a decision.
On the other side of the ball the matchup is more even. Bryce Young has been a nightmare No. 1 pick, but he had his best game of the year last Sunday in defeating the Saints. Still, 3 TDs and 6 INTs on the season isn’t too scary. Young has no elite receivers, but rookies Xavier Legette (pick No. 32, 4 TDs) and free agent Jalen Coker have been good, as has ex-Steeler Diontae Johnson (3 TDs). The Panthers do have a good offensive line, including 2022 draftee Ikem Ekwonu, veteran Taylor Moton, and free agent Robert Hunt, and an effective running game led by Chuba Hubbard with which to attack Giants’ own soft run defense.
May the worst team get Cam Ward.
Pick: Giants
I think I’m going to pick a nice Munich dunkel as the winner for this game. Wait... What do you mean 9:30 a.m. is too early for that? If we’re going to inflict this game on the German people we can at least support them in spirit (so to speak).
Okay, I can already hear Ed glaring at me in disapproval. Fiiiine.
This is a game the Giants SHOULD win, and probably comfortably. They’re a...
