GET THE BIG GUYS TO STEP UP
Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns have to be the Giants’ best players on Sunday for Brian Daboll’s team to win. That means stopping the run, which the Giants defense hasn’t done, and sacking the quarterback, which they didn’t do at all in last week’s loss to Washington. Joe Schoen has invested more resources in the D-line than anywhere on the roster. If they don’t dominate this matchup, Carolina can win.
GET MALIK NABERS GOING EARLY
Malik Nabers has 20 catches in the Giants’ last three games, and it’s difficult to remember any of them. Most have come in the second half of obvious losses. He hasn’t scored a touchdown and is averaging only 8.55 yards per reception in that span. Carolina’s defense is vulnerable in the running game, and the Giants’ pass protection issues mean they will hand it to Tyrone Tracy Jr. often. But Nabers is the key to a strong performance before the bye.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE
The Giants have a -4 turnover differential this season, which isn’t that much better than the Panthers’ -7 mark. A major reason is that their defense has forced only one interception and seven total takeaways through nine games. Carolina’s Bryce Young has thrown three interceptions in the last two weeks. The Giants need to take the ball away and then not give it back.