The Panthers and the Giants Slug it Out
By Andrew Santoro
In a game that looked more like an MMA fight rather than a week 14 NFL match up, the Giants would see their Defense on the field in the 2 min drill to preserve a win, or at least bring them to OT. And in true Giants fashion, the Big Blue D would fail yet again. The Giants to fall to 6-8 and allowing, The Panthers to advance to 14-0 for the first time in team history, on the leg of a Graham Gano field goal.
As billed, this game was a constant battle between Beckham and Norman however, the majority of the action would come after the whistle. Flags were flying all over the field. Beckham would receive 3 personal fouls and an offensive pass interference. Odell would also, have a huge first quarter drop that was destined for six, and would go catch less in the first half.
It would appear as if the raining Offensive Rookie of the Year would redeem himself in the 4th quarter, when he grabbed a 4th and 4 Eli Manning pass to score and tie the game at 35. The Giants had delivered 27th unanswered point. It would ultimately be in vain, with the exception perhaps, of a moral victory for OBJ, getting his only touchdown of the game on Josh Norman himself.
Beckham was not the only one who would display some very sloppy football in this NFC matchup, Running Back Rashad Jennings, would fumble in the second quarter, and not only lose the ball, but whatever momentum The G-Men had. The change of possession, would become a touchdown for the Panthers, and a 14 point lead at the half.
Eli Manning would throw a crucial 4th quarter INT in the end zone intended for Hakeem Nicks, after his elbow was tapped by a member of the Panthers D. To make the INT even more painful, it came following a phenomenal special teams play provided by Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, on a blocked field goal recovered by Prince Amukamara.
Even after the team’s mishaps, they somehow managed to stay competitive, but it would only bring more heart breaking for fans as the Giants would let yet another win slip from their grasps.
As far as the divisional race goes, The Giants have fallen behind The Washington Redskins again. With only two games left in the regular season, The Giants will have to win In Minnesota next Sunday night and also defeat The Eagles at MetLife in week 17, and that may still not be enough to grant them a playoff berth. In order for The Giants to reach the post season, The red-hot Redskins will need to fall to both, the Cowboy and the Eagles to close out the season.
@andrewbedlam