New York Giants vs Carolina: When else will the Panthers win?

Carolina have now lost three straight games. It looks like the trip to the MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants might be the last chance for the Panthers to keep their chances for the new season alive. Will Matt Rhule’s team finally manage to win? We’ll pick a few options to bet on at once.

From the very first games of the new season, it was clear that the New York Giants were once again no match for anything. Terrible defensive play and a completely inept offense. It’s just not clear what the Giants hope to achieve. There are, frankly, no prospects for this team at all.

Last week, the Giants were demolished on their home field by the Los Angeles Rams, 11-38. This was their 5th defeat of the new season and their second straight defeat. A week earlier, New York was defeated by Dallas 20-44.

The Giants are bad at everything. The defense, led for a second season by Patrick Graham, longtime Bill Belichick’s Patriots at various defensive positions, has made no progress. The battered Rams and Cowboys giants have already slipped to 29th place in the defensive efficiency rankings. The offense, led by former Dallas coach Jason Garrett, is 27th in the league so far. Quarterback Daniel Jones confirms he’s unlikely to be a key playmaker for an NFL team just yet, with four touchdowns to 4 interceptions in six championship games.

The Panthers remain a strong, balanced team despite three straight losses and can still contend for the playoffs. Matt Rhule’s team has been close in each of their three losses. Both in an away game against Dallas, 28-36, and at home against Philadelphia, 18-21. And last week’s game against Minnesota, also a home game for the Panthers, ended in overtime - 28-34 (28-28).

Carolina are clearly on the cusp of winning the division. Tampa have an unqualified lead in the NFC South. But why wouldn’t the Panthers take a swing at the wild card? The team is now 3-3 and 7th in the National Football Conference standings.

Carolina’s biggest problem is the absence due to the injury of Christian McCaffrey. One of the NFL’s best running backs will also miss the game against the Giants. It’s more of a psychological issue, though. After all, the defense has been playing worse since the injury to the running back.

No matter what you say, the Panthers and the Giants are different teams. Carolina have been unlucky of late, and better than now to break this unpleasant trend. This success promises to be very important for Carolina in terms of tournament prospects.

The prediction is a win for Carolina.

• Handicap 2 (-3) for 1.90;
• Individual Total 2 Over 23 for 2.00;
• W2 for 1.66.