The Giants are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1996 when they travel to Carolina to face the Panthers today. While the Giants have historically always gotten off to fast starts under Tom Coughlin, they were 0-2 in 2006 when they went on to defeat the Patriots in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. So far this season, the Giants have struggled in every phase of the game, while they lead the NFL in passing yards, Eli Manning has thrown 8 interceptions. They are dead last in rushing yards, and while the defense has shown some flashes, the Giants pass rush has been pretty anemyc this season. Today's game is a must win for the team, they will need to rally around coach Tom Coughlin who lost his younger brother, John, this week. Football is an emotional sport, and Tom Coughlin who has coached the Giants for 10 years now, is a father figure for many of the Giants players so I expect the team to be extra motivated today.

Let's look at some keys to the game:

As I mentioned earlier the Giants lead the NFL in passing yards. WR Rueben Randle has played very well this season and he forms with Nicks and Cruz one of the best wide receiver groups in the league. The Panthers will be without 3 of the starters in the secondary which should make the Giants even more willing to pass the ball, which is a good thing considering their running game has been as dysfunctional as a Thanksgiving dinner at Walt White's house. Last season, Eli Manning had one of his best games in Carolina despite fact he was missing many starters on offense.

While the Panthers will struggle in the secondary today, they have one of the most underrated front 7s in the NFL- DE Charles Johnson has 44 career sacks and Greg Hardy is a very competent bookend to him. MLB Luke Kuechly is one of the best at his position in the NFL and will certainly look to cause fumbles against Giants RB David Wilson. The Panthers also have former Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn on the roster.

The Giants are also banged up in the secondary. Veteran CB Webster is expected to miss the game, and the team is still without ball hawking safety Stevie Brown. The Giants will likely matchup CB Amukamara against Panthers WR Steve Smith for most of the game. One of the few bright surprises for the Giants so far this season has been the play of CB Terrell Thomas who is coming off a second ACL knee injury, today he will face Thomas Davis who is the only other player in NFL to have come back from a second ACL tear.

As is becoming the standard in the NFL these days, the game will likely be decided by the two quarterbacks. Eli Manning is putting up huge numbers yard wise, but has also already thrown 8 interceptions. He hasn't gotten much help from his offensive line and the running game has been absmal. Look for him to bounce back. Cam Newton remains in an enigma for the Panthers, he has all the tools to be a great NFL QB- he has a strong arm and can run as well as a RB. But he just doesn't appear to have the maturity to be a top NFL QB quite yet.

Prediction: I expect the Giants to have a strong game today. They will rally around their coach (who stayed with the team this week despite the death of his brother) and try to get the running game going early. Carolina doesn't match up well with the Giants even when healthy, the emergency in the seconday should make it easy for Eli Manning. 

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About the author
David Amoyal
Grew up in Padova (Italy) and current resident of Boston (USA). Editor in chief and writer for Vavel USA. My writing idols are Bill Simmons, Jason Whitlock and Chuck Klosterman