Dec 14, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Giants wide reciever Odell Beckham Jr (13) runs untouched into the endzone for a Giants touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers (13-0) at New York Giants (6-7)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
*Keys to the game: The Panthers have rushed for at least 100 yards in 24 consecutive games, and that streak is likely to continue even without RB Jonathan Stewart leading the charge. Fozzy Whittaker or FB Mike Tolbert will start, and rookie Cameron Artis-Payne will be active for the first time since Week 7. Along with QB Cam Newton chipping in, Carolina will hammer away at the Giants’ mediocre run defense to set up vertical shots against their last-ranked pass defense.
The difficulty for the Giants will be chipping away enough with their 32nd-ranked ground game to avoid a lopsided number in time of possession while knowing the reality that their offense predominantly falls on quarterback Eli Manning’s right arm. Despite being so one-dimensional, the Giants have surrendered a respectable 21 sacks. Can that hold up against the Panthers, who have dropped opposing quarterbacks 40 times this season? In a game with a razor thin margin of error for the Giants, they must capitalize with touchdowns inside the red zone.
*Matchup to watch – Panthers CB Josh Norman vs. Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.: Two likely All-Pros square off in what Panthers coach Ron Rivera deemed: “Another big, big, big, bigger, biggest matchups.” Beckham has 100-plus receiving yards in eight games this season, including each of the past six, while NFL Network research credits Norman with holding Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, Indianapolis’ T.Y. Hilton, Dallas’ Dez Bryant and Atlanta’s Julio Jones to a combined nine receptions and 89 yards.
*Player spotlight – Panthers CB Teddy Williams: The Giants must get production on the other side of the field from Rueben Randle. Williams has been used sparingly this season but could be in line to start with Bene Benwikere done for the season and Charles Tillman likely still out with a knee injury. Veterans Cortland Finnegan and Robert McClain are other options.
*Fast facts: Newton has thrown 19 touchdown passes with just three interceptions while adding three scores on the ground over his past seven games. On the season, he has thrown 20 touchdowns with no interceptions in the red zone. … Manning leads the NFL with six touchdown passes of 50-plus yards – five to Beckham.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Giants remain in the playoff hunt despite a pair of units – the ground game and pass defense – that rank dead last in the NFL. That’s a fatal combination against an undefeated opponent that physically wears down opponents and then goes for the kill shot through the air. But this will be a tight contest until then end.
*Our pick: Panthers 31-30
