Momma always said there would be days like this. The Carolina Panthers who once had a 35-7 lead late in the third quarter of today’s game, almost lost that lead to a determined New York Giants bunch. If it weren’t for the right leg of Panthers placekicker GRAHAM GANO who came through with the game-winning field goal, this game would have went to overtime and the Panthers would have had to put up with an awakened Giants offense. Instead, Gano’s heroics gave the Panthers a 38-35 victory at MetLIfe Stadium.
The Giants stood up to the Panthers for a good portion of the first half and all of the fourth quarter, but it ended up not being enough to knock off the Panthers (14-0) who are on a mad quest for the first seed and a playoff bye in the NFC Playoffs.
The Giants (6-8) on the other hand are getting closer and closer to being mathematically eliminated from the NFC playoff tourney. Even if they go 2-0 for the remainder of their schedule, they still will need a ton of help from other teams.
Quarterback CAM NEWTON (25 of 45 for 340 yards, 5 touchdown passes and no picks/8 carries for 100 yards) just couldn’t be stopped in this game. Yes, the Giants had the worst pass defense in the league coming into this game, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Newton had a marvelous game and that he’s the odds on favorite to win the Associated Press MVP at the NFL Honors Awards on February 6, 2016. Newton accounted for 440 yards and 5 scores in this game, which is the most total yards he’s had in a single game in 2015.
Giants quarterback ELI MANNING was on one in the second half, and he almost led his team to a comeback. He went 29 of 46 for 245 yards, 4 touchdown passes and 1 pick for the game. The way he and superstar receiver ODELL BECKHAM (6 catches for 76 yards and 1 score) played in the second half, it made the Panthers really scramble to find ways to stop that duo.
Carolina scored first when Newton found receiver TED GINN (6 catches for 85 yards and 2 scores) in the back of the end zone and behind Giants safety CRAIG DAHL for a 3 yard score. By the way, Newton came up with the second biggest play of this scoring drive when he took a quarterback zone-read fake up the middle and down his right sideline for 47 yards to the NYG 3 yard line. With 5:33 remaining in the first quarter the Panthers took a 7-0 lead.
The Giants answered that score, when Manning took the snap and then looked to his left where he fired a pass to receiver REUBEN RANDLE (4 catches for 47 yards and 1 score) who took the pass 27 yards untouched down the left sideline for a score. With 1:25 left in the first quarter the game was tied at 7-7.
Then late in the second quarter, Panthers cornerback CHARLES TILLMAN forced and then recovered a fumble that set up an all alone and down the right sideline 37 yard touchdown reception by tight end GREG OLSEN (6 catches for 79 yards and 1 score). With just under 2:30 left in the second quarter the Panthers took a 14-7 lead.
The Panthers put the Giants in a further hole near the tail end of the first half. Newton on 1st and 10 from the NYG 14, fired a pass right into the chest of rookie receiver DEVIN FUNCHESS (2 catches for 30 yards and 1 score) who took the reception into the end zone for a 21-7 advantage and with 15 seconds left in the second quarter.
By halftime, Newton accounted for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns (157 yards passing and 3 touchdown passes and 66 yards on the ground). The Giants’ defense couldn’t contain Newton in the first half and he used that to his and the Panthers’ advantage.
Carolina wasn’t done scoring yet. Newton early in the third quarter and on 1st and 10, found his receiver COREY BROWN (3 catches for 51 yards and 1 score) for a 20 yard near the back of the end zone scoring play in front of Giants cornerback TRUMAINE MCBRIDE. With 10:03 left in the third quarter the Panthers took a commanding 28-7 lead.
Then less than five minutes later, Newton found Ginn on a hitch route for a 14 yard scoring pass to give the Panthers a 35-7 beat down of a lead. With 5:32 left in the third quarter, the Panthers were well on their way to their fourteenth consecutive victory of the season.
Near the end of the third quarter, the Giants finally scored again. This score came courtesy of tight end WILL TYE, who caught a Manning pass and then stretched the ball just past the pylon and into the end zone for an 8 yard score. Near the 1:20 mark of the third quarter the score went to 35-14.
The Giants early in the fourth quarter, proceeded to make the score more respectable with another scoring drive. On said drive, running back RASHAD JENNINGS (16 carries for 107 yards and 1 score) took a Manning handoff and used some helpful blocks from left tackle ERECK FLOWERS and pulling right guard JOHN JERRY, then the back sped untouched down the left side to complete a 38 yard scoring run. With 13:24 left in the game the score moved to 35-21.
Jennings REALLY wanted that touchdown run, just by the way he took off through the hole he was provided. The Giants at that point really needed that score too. That scoring run was Jennings’ first since Week 1 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Then almost eight minutes later, the Giants put a HUGE scare into the Panthers. On 3rd and 4 from the CAR 8 yard line, Giants running back SHANE VEREEN (72 yards total offense and 1 score) took a Manning pass and skirted into the end zone for a 35-28 score with 5:27 left in the contest.
Then like the star he is, Beckham came through for his team late, late in this game. On 4th and 5 from the CAR 14, Manning took the snap and then looked to his left, where he found a streaking Beckham down the left sideline for a score near the back of the end zone. With 1:45 left in the game the score was tied at 35-35.
Then Gano came in and booted the game winning 43 yard field goal as time expired, which enabled the Panthers to keep their undefeated record intact.
