Panthers Fall to Giants in OT 34-28

by Jaxon on Dec 22, 2008 12:06 AM EST

The Panthers had their opportunity at the end of regulation to take the prize and instead the kick went wide left. Those turbulent Giants Stadium winds that dogged the Panthers all night had one last laugh. In overtime the Panthers could not get it going and instead the Giants running game dominated the final drive for the Giants victory.

The Panthers know from this game they have what it takes to beat the Giants on their home turf. They will have to make it happen should they meet in the near future. To have a chance they will have to learn how to slow down the Giants running game if they are avoid two straight defeats. It wasn't RB Brandon Jacobs that torched the Panthers, instead it was 2nd stringer Derrick Ward. Ward repeatedly ripped the Panthers for 215 yards on 15 carries.

It would appear the Panther run defense did miss its biggest lineman Maake Kemoeatu who missed the game with injury. The Panther defense held out as long as it could in the freezing weather but in the end succumbed.

I'm trying hard to not be pissed at K John Kasay. I'm sure he feels bad about the miss and if not for the right to left wind it would have been good. But in the end that's the kick he is paid to make. Did you see he had a little hesitation before he kicked it? Maybe that was the difference and caused him to push it a little. This loss stings because home field advantage would have been huge for this team. Now they know the road to the SB probably goes through the Meadowlands unless someone else beats them first.

RB DeAngelo Williams had another great night rushing for 4 TD's and 108 yards rushing. The Panther offense ranged from unstoppable in the first half to anemic in the 2nd half. The Giants dominated time of possession which led to the defenses fold in OT. I'm sure we'll have more analysis later after the sting of this one wears off.

Poll

For the Giants game the Panthers game ball should go to:

DeAngelo Williams - 4 TD's, 108 yds rushing

40 votes

Musin Muhammad - 4 catches, 80 yds

3 votes

Tyler Brayton - 4 tackles and a sack

3 votes

Thomas Davis - 11 tackels and a sack

3 votes

49 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Jaxon

Any field goal, much less a fifty yard one in Giants stadium with the kind of wind there was last night is never a high percentage play. That’s why the Giants didn’t try for a short field goal in overtime when they got close to the goal line but risked a turnover by continuing to run the ball.

As for Ward, he often has great success when used the way he was, as a change of pace from Jacobs. The running game doesn’t seem to gell for the Giants without that “firestarter.”

Where was Steve Smith in the second half? I was dreading the inevitable big play along with Madden. All in all, I think it could have gone either way. The Panthers and Giants seem pretty evenly matched to me. I think I can speak for most of us at BBV when I say we would rather not play you again if we don’t have to.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 22, 2008 6:51 AM EST reply actions

All you ever aske for is a chance

and the Panthers had their chance. Hopefully we can turn this into motivation to make a big run through the playoffs.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 22, 2008 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah Smith

Was a hobgoblin in my mind the final 3 minutes of regulation and in OT. 2 things, to agree with ‘57, a 50-yarder at the Meadowlands is a very very tall order. I’d say 25% for a guy with a big leg. And Derrick Ward is not a “2nd-stringer.” He’s the speed option to complement Jacobs. I know, ya gotta have depth charts.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 22, 2008 10:48 AM EST reply actions