This week I was fortunate enough to preview tonight's New York Giants-Carolina Panthers game for Pro Football Focus, which means that you'll get my PFF preview and my Thursday Night Football pick all in one post. Click here to see which injured starter the Giants may be better without, and what players each defense will be determined to shut down:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/20/3tfo-giants-panthers-week-3-3/
This short week could not have come at a worse time for Big Blue. David Diehl, Ahmad Bradshaw, Domenik Hixon and Hakeem Nicks all were unable to recover from Sunday's injuries in time to make the flight to Carolina. And the defense has to quickly prepare for one of the more unfamiliar offenses in the league, the Panthers' zone-read rushing attack. Keep an eye on linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, whose excellent run defense will be critical against Cam Newton and his stable of running backs. Nicks is the weapon that opens up the defense for the rest of the Giants attack, but note that in the only game he missed last season, the Giants upset the New England Patriots in Foxboro. This may be blind faith in Tom Coughlin's early-season track record (New York has started 5-2 or better in every one of his eight seasons as coach), but I have a feeling that Eli Manning will find enough production from tight end Martellus Bennett and his young receivers to pull out a surprising win.
The Pick: Giants (+2.5)
Follow me at @PFF_Pete.
Odds found here.
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