The last time out wasn’t a good week for anyone, for the Carolina Panthers or for ourselves. We were both knocked down a peg, the Panthers on their record and us on our prediction tally, in that disappointing 34-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6.
Hopefully, Week 7 will be a bit better and a bit more predictable. Let’s get back on track.
Panthers run themselves into zero points on the opening drive
Head coach Matt Rhule wants the offense to find its identity. And by that, he means he wants to run the ball more (or at least more effectively) and limit quarterback Sam Darnold’s attempts.
They’ll go considerably run-heavy on the first drive, which’ll result in a punt.
Giants run themselves into a three-and-out
Have you seen the players on offense that’ll be out for the Giants? Woof.
We already know they’ll be without running back Saquon Barkley and wideouts Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. Plus, fellow receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, as well as tight end Evan Engram, are listed as questionable.
Their offense stalls early, and probably often.
Panthers put up the first points of the game
They may not light up the scoreboard initially, but Carolina finds something (perhaps that identity) soon enough. We’ll give the first points to kicker Zane Gonzalez on a 34-yard field goal.
And they never trail after that
The Panthers will chalk up those first points and never look back. Given the Giants’ concerning lack of firepower, a shaky offensive line and a struggling quarterback, Carolina’s defense is too good not to keep this group in a stranglehold the entire way out.
Keith Taylor Jr. gets his first career interception
That defense may have a new budding stud in Taylor Jr.. The rookie showed out on Minnesota last week, recording a team-high 10 tackles and three pass deflections.
Daniel Jones will try Taylor Jr. and he’ll make him pay coming off that eye-opening performance.
Haason Reddick and Brian Burns combine for at least 4.0 sacks
You might’ve heard a time or two that Reddick totaled 5.0 sacks when he faced the Giants last year as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. That’ll be a tough ask to duplicate, no matter who he’s facing.
So he’ll get a little help from his pal Burns off the edge against tackles Matt Peart and Nate Solder in combining for at least four takedowns.
Chuba Hubbard finishes with at least 90 rushing yards
The Giants aren’t particularly great at stopping the run, as they’ve allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (137.2) thus far. They’ll be facing what should be a healthy dose of Hubbard, who’s been improving with each passing week. He notches at least 22 carries for at least 90 yards.
Sam Darnold finishes with one interception
This could be a get-well game for Darnold, as New York isn’t that awesome against opposing air attacks, allowing 264.2 passing yards (22nd) per outing. The thing is, Darnold isn’t exactly awesome either. He does, though, keep better track of the rock and limits his damage to just one pick.
Robby Anderson finishes a play in the end zone
That’s it, we’ve had enough! Every time we predict Anderson to do something great, he falls short. (But, to be fair, that has been the story of his season.)
Well, not this time. Anderson finds that MetLife magic again and burns the Giants for a long touchdown, perhaps of the 45-yard-ish variety.
Panthers win
They can’t really lose this one, can they? Carolina keeps New York down, 27-10.
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