NFL Preseason Preview: Giants vs. Panthers Game Picks

Written by Jake Thompson
Saturday, 13 August 2011 18:19

It’s time for NFL preseason picks and we’ll focus on the game between the Giants and the Panthers.

The New York Giants (0-0) and the Carolina Panthers (0-0) are all set for their week 1 NFL preseason game, and our preview will help everyone figure out the correct picks to make.  Online sportsbooks have the home-team Panthers as 2.5-point favorites on the spread to go along with a total of just 33 points.  Nearly 65% of tracked NFL preseason bettors are taking the Giants and we’ll let you know if the majority will be winners in this 8:00 PM ET clash.

These squads both have plenty of things to work on in the first NFL preseason game, but obviously Carolina has more concerns.  A new coaching staff will have the Panthers learning new plays and formations on both sides of the ball, while the starting quarterback gig is wide open.  Jimmy Clausen will get the start with Cam Newton getting time with the 1st team offensive line later.  Veteran Derek Anderson and former University of Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike are expected to see action in the 2nd half.  Another thing that should keep the Panthers motivated here is that they have a number of positional battles, meaning that the 2nd teamers will be playing hard in hopes of getting a starting spot.

New York has much less to work on offensively and I doubt we see Eli Manning in there for more than a series or two.  The Giants did just lose wide receiver Steve Smith to the Philadelphia Eagles so I’d count on some passes to the players who are vying for the new open spot on the roster.  New York does have some experience amongst their backup quarterbacks with former starters David Carr and Sage Rosenfels.  Former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux should play in the 4th quarter but I really don’t believe the Giants have any reason to open up their offense with all this veteran leadership.

Carolina will definitely be more motivated to move the ball and should be playing a bit harder.  The Panthers are the home team here and my only concern is that their offense is so bad that they won’t be able to move the chains no matter how hard they try.  Ultimately, I don’t see the Giants doing much of anything past the 1st quarter and this one figures to be a low-scoring game.  Although the Panthers make for a decent play at this point spread, ultimately the under is the safest play of them all.

Giants 10

Panthers 13

NFL Preseason Record: 2-0