The Carolina Panthers headed to Munich, Germany hoping to build off last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints and go into the bye week with a win. The New York Giants came into the game holding  an identical 2-7 record but also boasted a stout defensive line that ranks near the top of the league in sacks. Carolina got the running game started early with their newly extended running back Chuba Hubbard rushing for 83 yards in the opening period. The rookie pass catchers continued their solid play with tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders putting the Panthers on the board first with a 5-yard touchdown reception from Bryce Young. A field goal by Eddy Pineiro on the next drive gave Carolina a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Giants failed to cut into that lead when Graham Gano’s 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. Two possessions later, their most productive drive ended when outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney tipped quarterback Daniel Jones’ pass and safety Xavier Woods came up with the interception. Outside linebacker DJ Wonnum made his long-awaited Panthers debut and made an impact immediately, registering three tackles and a sack in the first half as Carolina took a 10-0 lead into halftime.
New York had the ball to start the second half and finally hit pay dirt after a 10-play. 65 yard drive capped off by a 32-yard touchdown run by Tyrone Tracy, Jr to bring them within 3 points. Carolina responded with a Hubbard touchdown run of their own, pushing the lead back to double digits. Starting the drive at their own 4, the Giants drove 96 yards, with Jones punching it into the end zone from 2 yards out to make it a 3-point game once again at the top of the fourth.
This is where things got interesting as the teams traded turnovers; D.J. Davidson recovered a Hubbard fumble at Carolina’s 22-yard line. With the Giants knocking at the door to take the lead, Jones was intercepted by linebacker Josey Jewell to give the ball back to the Panthers. The teams then traded three-and-outs, bringing the game to a matter of clock management. With no timeouts down the stretch, the Giants moved the ball just enough to set Gano up for a 42-yard field goal attempt, which he drilled, to send the game into overtime tied 17-17.
New York won the toss and received the ball first in the bonus period. On the first play from scrimmage, A’Shawn Robinson knocked the ball out of the hands of Tracy and the fumble was recovered by Jewell at New York’s 23-yard line. A few plays later, Pineiro’s attempt from 36 yards out was good and the Panthers took the win in overtime, 20-17. Carolina goes into the bye week with back-to-back wins while the Giants dropped their fifth straight.
Young continues to come into his own with each snap since returning from a Week 3 benching. He threw for 15-of-25 for 126 yards and a touchdown; he added another 30 yards rushing. Hubbard continues to show how he can be a “culture changer”, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown. On the other sideline, Jones threw for 190 yards but also threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. He did, however, add a rushing touchdown that kept the Giants in the game. In Brian Burns’ first showdown with his former team, he registered nine tackles and one sack that came on the first drive of the game. Carolina improves to 3-7 heading into the bye week.
