New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers: Preview and Prediction
History tell you: Giants shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Tom Coughlin is very familiar with taking down undefeated teams. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
This week is the NFL’s version of David vs. Goliath, and the Giants are the perfect team to take down the undefeated Panthers.
New York has a deadly coach-quarterback combination of Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning who have previous success vs. undefeated teams, and has the weapon called Odell Beckham Jr. They have the perfect arsenal to shock the world and put a “1” in the loss column for quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Putting aside the issues the Giants’ defense could have against Carolina, history is against the Panthers this week. In the Super Bowl era, eight teams (including the 2015 Panthers) have started a season 13-0. Not including the two teams that went undefeated through the regular season (1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots), four of the other five lost Week 15 of the regular season, one coming at the hands of the Giants.
1998 Broncos: Lost Week 15 at Giants
2005 Colts: Lost Week 15 vs. Chargers
2007 Patriots: Lost Super Bowl vs. Giants
2009 Colts: Lost Week 16 vs. Jets
2009 Saints: Lost Week 15 vs. Cowboys
2011 Packers: Lost Week 15 at Chiefs
Many people point to the Giants not being able to close out games, categorizing them as mediocre. But New York held a lead over one of the best teams in the NFL, the Patriots, with 1:47 remaining. The team only 6-7 because of misfortune, having held late leads in most games. If every game ended 75 seconds shorter, the Giants would be 11-2 instead of 6-7, and this game would be considered an NFC Championship preview rather than a trap game for the Panthers.
Whether it’s luck or coincidence, Week 15 has historically been the week when unbeaten teams fall. If you aren’t a believer in the 2015 Panthers joining the 2007 Patriots and 1972 Dolphins as undefeated regular season teams, this might be the best team to take them down. After Sunday, Carolina plays in Atlanta and then home against the Buccaneers.
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