Panthers vs Giants Picks, Predictions: NFL Week 2 Preview
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images. Pictured: Baker Mayfield.
- The Giants are favored this afternoon against the Panthers.
- Baker Mayfield is still looking for his first win with his new team.
- Dylan Wilkerson breaks down the matchup and makes his betting picks below.
Panthers vs. Giants Odds
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 43 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 43 -110o / -110u | -130 |
The return of professional football comes with a sense of relief for football fans. However, the culmination of Week 1 can leave us as confused as a freshman in calculus.
Bettors everywhere are left wondering which teams are good and which aren’t. Games like Giants-Titans, Dolphins–Patriots and Colts–Texans do nothing except blur the line that separates who we think are playoff contenders and who can book tee times for the end of January.
The Giants and Panthers are two teams that puzzled the public with their performances last week. The G-Men upset the reigning AFC No. 1 seed, and the Panthers dropped a close one in the last minutes to the Cleveland Browns.
As these two teams face off at MetLife stadium, one will be looking to stay undefeated, and the other looking for its first win of the season.
Panthers vs. Giants Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Panthers and Giants match up statistically:
Panthers vs. Giants DVOA Breakdown
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 27 | 30 | |
| Pass DVOA | 24 | 31 | |
| Rush DVOA | 25 | 10 | |
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 15 | 24 | |
| Pass DVOA | 27 | 13 | |
| Rush DVOA | 7 | 30 | |
At first glance, you would think this game should be played across the pond.
These are two teams that have underperformed for the better part of four years, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Both teams finished in the bottom 10 in third-down conversions, quarterback rating and completion percentage. The Panthers and Giants finished last season in 31st and 32nd in total yards per play.
Both of these teams have adequate defenses that are capable of stalling offensive drives. The Giants’ defensive efforts will benefit greatly from the addition of Kayvon Thibodeaux this weekend. On the other hand, the Panthers' defensive personnel showed last season that it can apply pressure, which is clear from its 84 tackles for loss.
As for Week 1, both teams got off to a slow start. The Panthers had trouble moving the football early against the Browns, as Baker Mayfield & Co. went three-and-out on their first two possessions. The Panthers did not score until there were 5 minutes left in the second quarter.
The Giants lost possession five times before scoring their first touchdown against the Titans last week. All but one of New york's scores were due to explosive plays that set it up with great field position.
While these plays are advantageous, it is hard to rely on Saquon Barkey to rip off 65-yard runs every week, especially given his injury history.
Betting Picks
Both of these teams have issues moving the ball, but when they do get some momentum going, it usually comes late.
Dating back to last season, Panthers first quarter totals have gone under nine points 11 times. The Giants' first-quarter totals have gone under nine points 13 times.
Suffice to say we should expect to see a slow start to this game.
It is important to note that FanDuel has the best number for this play at 9, but I would play it at 7.5, which is what the first-quarter total is at DraftKings and Caesars.
Pick: Panthers/Giants 1Q Under 9 | Bet to 7.5
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
