Carolina Panthers (11-3) at New York Giants (11-3)
Sunday, NBC, 8:15 PM ET
Unless the game winds up in a tie, the Panthers-Giants winner lays claim to the NFC's top seed and its spoils: a
first-round bye and the all-important home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Giants defense will have to contend with the three-headed offensive monster created by their former defensive
coordinator and now Panthers head coach John Fox. Running Backs DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (NFL-leading 16 TDs) and rookie
JONATHAN STEWART have combined for 1,980 yards – the highest-producing rushing tandem in the NFL.
But the Giants can't concentrate on them alone, or Pro Bowler WR STEVE SMITH (138.8 average in the past four games)
will have a career-making day.
That all said, these are the defending Super Bowl champion Giants that the Carolina Panthers will be facing, with
experience in weathering brief squalls.
"They are the defending world champions for a reason," says Panthers head coach John Fox. "They are an exceptional
football team and particularly difficult to beat at home. We will have to be at our best."
"I don't worry about our confidence," says Giants Pro Bowl QB ELI MANNING. "This is a crazy sport. You go
through periods where you struggle."
Panther - Giants Series
Sunday night's game will be the regular season 4th meeting between the Panthers and Giants and their fifth overall.
Carolina is 2-1 versus the Giants during the regular season and claimed a 23-0 victory in New York (1/8/2006) in
their 2005 Wild Card playoff game. The Panthers won the previous regular season meeting at Giants Stadium (12/28/2003), 37-
24, but fell to the Giants the last time (12/10/2006) they met, 27-13.
In that game, the Panthers fell victim to turnovers and missed opportunities in the 27-13 loss despite a record-setting performance
by quarterback Chris Weinke. In his first start since 2002, Weinke completed 34-of-61 passing attempts for a team record
423 passing yards. Quarterback Jake Delhomme missed the first start of his career due to a thumb injury.
Giants kicker Jay Feely opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter
and New York extended its lead to 10-0 when quarterback Eli Manning found wide receiver Plaxico Burress for a 28-yard
touchdown strike less than one minute into the second quarter.
The Carolina Panthers narrowed the lead to 10-7 when Weinke connected with wide receiver Drew Carter for a 36-yard
touchdown pass with 12:59 remaining in the first half and then tied the game on a 37-yard John Kasay field goal. Giants
tight end Jeremy Shockey provided New York a 17-10 halftime lead with a two-yard touchdown recpetion with :27 seconds
remaining.
The Giants outscored the Panthers 10-3 in the second half for the final score of 27-13.
Giants QB Eli Manning threw 3 TD passes (28, 2 and 3 yards) & RB Tiki Barber added 112 yards rushing.
NFL 2008 Week 15: Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 8
The Giants lost their second game in a row as their record fell to 11-3. The Giants, who clinched the NFC East title last
week despite losing to the Eagles, are also fighting for a first-round bye with the Minnesota Vikings, who improved to 9-5
and host the Giants in the season's final week. This is the Giants first 2-game losing streak since the opening two games of the
NFL 2007 season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Tony Romo connected with Patrick Crayton for a 34-yard touchdown pass on the Cowboys
first drive of the 2nd quarter. The Giants responded on the next drive with a 34-yard John Carney field goal.
The 7-3 score would stand up thru halftime and past the 3rd quarter.
However, the Cowboys struck first in the game's final quarter to take a 14-3 lead as Tony Romo threw his second
touchdown pass of the game to running back Deon Anderson. On the next Cowboys possession, a Giants punt pinned the
Cowboys deep in their own territory. A Romo fumble in the end zone almost resulted in a Giants touchdown, however,
Romo was able to push the ball out of the end-zone resulting in a Giants safety and only two points.
A Giants touchdown would have significantly changed the game's momentum.
The safety appeared to have swung the momentum in the Giants favor. After the free kick, the Giants tacked on
3 more points on John Carney's 2nd field goal of the game (47 yards) to narrow the Cowboys lead to 14-8.
However, the Cowboys responded on the very next drive.
The Cowboys drove the ball 66 yards in seven plays eating up valuable game time (3:32) and scoring a TD to put the
game out of reach. The touchdown came on a a 38-yard run by running back Tashard Choice which produced the 20-8 final.
The Giants Offense was just not there
The Giants 8 points against Dallas was the lowest since December 24, 2006 when the Giants lost to the New Orleans Saints, 30-7.
Playing without Brandon Jacobs, the Giants rushed for a season-low 72 yards and converted only three of 13 third-down opportunities. In addition, the Giants
have only scored one TD on offense in the 2 losses. Eli Manning was sacked eight times.
John Carney's field goals (34 and 47 yards) and a safety were the only points scored by the Giants.
The Cowboys Defense was present and accounted for
DeMarcus Ware tied a career-high with three sacks and forced two fumbles in the Cowboys 20-8 win over the New York Giants.
De Marcus Ware led a defensive unit that recorded eight sacks on the night and held the Giants to 218 total yards
(72 rushing, 146 passing). Ware has recorded at least one sack in 13 of 14 games this season, including six in a row.
This season, he has recorded three sacks in a game three times.
For his effort against the Giants, Ware was honored as the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15.
NFL 2008 Week 15: Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 10
The Panthers completed their home schedule with a spotless 8-0 record last week, defeating the Denver Broncos
30-10.
Denver scored its only points on its first two possessions of the game before Carolina pulled away,
scoring the game's final 20 points to improve to 11-3 on the season.
The Broncos opened the game by putting together an impressive 9-play, 61-yard TD drive. Cutler capped off the
drive when he connected running back P.J. Pope from seven yards out. The Panthers answered immediately on the
ensuing possession with quarterback Jake Delhomme connecting with Steve Smith three times for 66 yards on the drive,
including for a 15-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Denver regained its lead a short time later on kicker Matt Prater's 43-yard field goal with 3:37 left in the
first quarter. The field goal came at the tail end of a 10-play, 55-yard drive.
Late in the first quarter, the Panthers took advantage of a Broncos interception that gave them a starting field
position at the Denver 31-yard line. Four plays later, John Kasay's 39-yard field goal tied the game at 10-10.
The Panthers took their first lead of the game, 17-10, on their opening drive of the second quarter when
running back Jonathan Stewart found the end zone on a 2-yard run.
The turning point of a what was so far a back-and-forth battle came towards the end of the half.
With time winding down in the first half, Carolina again turned a Broncos turnover into points.
The Panthers recovered a Denver fumble with seven seconds left in the quarter, setting up
Kasay's 44-yard field goal that sent them into halftime ahead 20-10.
Four plays into the second half, Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown
run that gave the Panthers a comfortable 27-10 advantage. Early in the fourth quarter, Carolina extended its lead
to 30-10 on Kasay's 3rd field goal (42 yards).
2009 Pro Bowler Steve Smith provided the spark for the Panthers last week as he caught nine passes for 165 yards
and a touchdown. Smith compiled amazing stats in the first half with six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. The
Panthers shifted to the running game in the second half.
Running back DeAngelo Williams rushed for 88 yards on just 12 carries and scored his 16th TD of the season against
the Broncos.
The Panthers did not allow any sacks against the Broncos allowing quarterback Jake Delhomme time to complete 17-of-26
passes for 253 yards.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-3)
Panthers Head coach JOHN FOX is a former New York Giants defensive coordinator (1997-2001) QB JAKE DELHOMME won only start vs. the New York Giants (12/28/03) & passed for 2 TDs. As a starter, when
Delhomme has 110.0+ rating, the Panthers are undefeated (15-0) RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS has rush TD in team-record 7 games in row. Has rushed for 815 yards (116.4 per game) & 12
TDs in past 7. The Panthers are 13-1 (.929) when he rushes for 80+ yards. Rookie RB JONATHAN STEWART has 9 rush TDs & ranks 2nd among NFL rookies WR STEVE SMITH aims for 5th in row with 100+ yards. Smith has 30 catches for 555 yards (138.8 per game) in past 4,
including 9 catches for 165 yards & 1 TD last week. The Panthers have scored 92.9 pct. of times in red zone (39 of 42) DE JULIUS PEPPERS ranks 1st in team history with 68.5 sacks & 25 FFs. Has 12.5 sacks in past 12. Has 1.5+ sacks in
4 of past 6. CB CHRIS GAMBLE had interception last week
NEW YORK GIANTS (11-3)
Including playoff games, QB ELI MANNING is 25-7 (.781) in past 32 starts. Manning has won 6 of past 7 home starts.
In only career start vs. the Panthers, Manning had 3 TDs vs. 0 interceptions for 97.0 passer rating The Giants are tied for NFL lead averaging 148.7 rushing yards per game. RB BRANDON JACOBS has 6 rush TDs in past 5. When Jacobs has 100+ yards, Giants are 8-1 (.889). When Jacobs
has 10+ attempts (including playoffs), team is 24-5 (.828) WR AMANI TOOMER had TD catch in last game vs. Carolina. Including playoffs, Giants have won 9 in row when he has TD
catch. Giants WR STEVE SMITH leads the team this season with career-best 52 catches. TE KEVIN BOSS has TD catch in 4 of past 8 DE JUSTIN TUCK has 15.0 sacks in past 15 (including Super Bowl XLII). When Tuck has 1.0+ sack (including playoffs),
Giants are 13-4 (.765). DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA had sack in last meeting. Had 1.5 sacks last week & has career-high 8.5.
CB KEVIN DOCKERY had interception in last meeting.
The Giants placed 6 players on this season's NFC Pro Bowl Squad.
PREDICTION: New York Giants 19, Carolina Panthers 14
The past three weeks have been turbulent for the New York Giants -- the Burress Saga, losing to the Eagles at home,
then losing to the Cowboys and in the process only one TD on offense the last 2 games. Pro Bowl QB Eli Manning
is right -- "This is a crazy sport. You go through periods where you struggle."
Perhaps, the Giants struggles on and off the field is more about timing and coincidence than how good a team they are.
Yes, the Panthers have been invincible at home this season (8-0). However, the Panthers have been invisible on the
road. At first glance, a 3-3 road record is respectable. But upon further review, it's not a coincidence that the
Panthers have been crushed in their 3 road losses (at Vikings, 20-10 loss; at Buccaneers, 27-3 loss; at Falcons 45-28
loss), while working hard for their road wins (at Chargers, 26-24 win; at Packers 35-31 win; at Raiders 17-6).
Meanwhile, their 6-1 home record and the swirling Meadowlands winds give the Giants enough of an advantage. The winds
and weather on Sunday night should neutralize the Panthers Steve Smith, while the Giants defense will rise to the
occasion and neutralize the Panthers running attack just enough for a 19-14 Giants victory.
RELATED NFL 2008 Week 16
|
NFL Week 16: Two Weeks Left in an Extraordinary NFL 2008 Regular Season
With 2 weeks left in the regular season NFL teams find themselves in must-win situations. For the NFC & AFC Top seeds, it's about home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
For the other teams still in the playoff hunt, it's a matter of survival and about punching their ticket for the
playoffs. As such, the goal is simple: keep winning, control your own playoff destiny and hope not to have to rely
on other teams losing.
Ravens vs. Cowboys: Identical Records & Playoff Aspirations
The game features a matchup of teams with identical 9-5 records fighting for a Wildcard playoff berth in their
respective conferences. The Ravens come off a deflating 13-9 loss to the Steelers while the Cowboys head into the
game after a convincing 20-8 victory against the New York Giants.
Falcons are No Match for Vikings at Metrodome
The Vikings can clinch the NFC North this week, while the Falcons have a chance to earn a Wildcard spot this week.
However, the Falcons are simply not built for the road this season proving that not all 9-5 records are equal.
The Battle for the AFC King of the Hill
The top two seeds in the AFC meet this Sunday, as the AFC South Champion Tennessee Titans (12-2) host the
AFC North Champion Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3). While both teams have clinched a first-round playoffs bye,
this Sunday game will likely determine which team gains homefield advantage in the AFC.
4th Time Better Be the Charm for the Jets Out West
The Jets head to the west coast for the 4th time this season to face the Seahawks in Mike Holmgren's last home
game as Seattle's head coach. With the Dolphins and Patriots also sporting 9-5 records, this week's matchup
is significant. The Jets cannot afford to look ahead to the season finale against the Dolphins.
Eagles Aim for 4th in a Row at Redskins Expense
The Eagles look to win their fourth straight game as they travel to Washington to take on the Redskins.
The Washington Redskins (7-7) downward spiral continued last week in Cincinnati as Washington suffered
its third straight loss and defeats in five of their last six games.
NFL 2008 Playoffs & Playoff Scenarios
Heading into NFL 2008 Week 16, the AFC playoff scenario is down to 6 teams fighting for 4 spots. While in the
NFC 8 teams are vying for 4 spots. A look at the playoff races and playoff scenarios.
Thursday Night Battle Between Colts & Jags Still Meaningful
The Jaguars (5-9) host the hottest team in the NFL. After their mediocre 3-4 start to the season, the Colts have
won seven in a row to improve their record to 10-4.
SHARE
NFL 2008 WEEK 16 RESULTS – DECEMBER 18, 20-22
(All times local)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:00 PM (NFLN - Thursday, December 18)
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys, 7:00 PM (NFLN - Saturday, December 20)
San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans, 12:00 PM
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos, 2:05 PM
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders, 1:05 PM
N.Y. Jets at Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 PM
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings, 4:15 PM
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redksins, 4:15 PM
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM
Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs, 12:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots, 1:00 PM
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams, 12:00 PM
Carolina Panthers at N.Y. Giants, 8:15 PM (NBC)
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 7:30 PM (ESPN - Monday, December 22)
NFL 2008 WEEK 15 RESULTS – DECEMBER 11, 14-15
(Home Team in Caps)
CHICAGO BEARS 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
N.Y. JETS 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Seattle Seahawks 23, ST. LOUIS RAMS 20
Minnesota Vikings 35, ARIZONA CARDINALS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS 20, Washington Redskins 13
CAROLINA PANTHERS 30, Denver Broncos 10
HOUSTON TEXANS 13, Tennessee Titans 12
New England Patriots 49, OAKLAND RAIDERS 26
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 31, Detroit Lions 21
DALLAS COWBOYS 20, N.Y. Giants 8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 20, Green Bay Packers 16
San Diego Chargers 22, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 21
MIAMI DOLPHINS 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30, Cleveland Browns 10
NFL 2008 WEEK 14 RESULTS - DECEMBER 4, 7 - 8
(Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO 34, Oakland 7
Miami 16, BUFFALO 3 (Toronto)
DENVER 24, Kansas City 17
SAN FRANCISCO 24, N.Y. Jets 14
CHICAGO 23, Jacksonville 10
New England 24, SEATTLE 21
Minnesota 20, DETROIT 16
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 10
Houston 24, GREEN BAY 21
PITTSBURGH 20, Dallas 13
INDIANAPOLIS 35, Cincinnati 3
BALTIMORE 24, Washington 10
NEW ORLEANS 29, Atlanta 25
Philadelphia 20, N.Y. GIANTS 14
TENNESSEE 28, Cleveland 9
CAROLINA 38, Tampa Bay 23
|
|
RSS
