The Giants return to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 when they take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at 1pm. Carolina was a popular pick for the Super Bowl before the season started and looked like they would live up to that billing before late season losses at home to Dallas and Tampa. They still finished 11-5 and will present a formidable challenge to the Giants.
The first rule of playoff football is don’t give your opponent any extra motivation. Unfortunately, Osi Umenyiora doesn’t believe in that rule and the result is a very angry Julius Peppers. Peppers and the rest of the Carolina defense will be after Eli Manning all day and the Giants are going to have to have a big game from Tiki Barber if they are going to compete with the Panthers.
Steve Smith has had a monster year and should give a weak Giants secondary fits. The injury situation hasn’t improved much for New York and Gothamist thinks that it all adds up to a Carolina victory. Panthers take control early and win the game 24-13.
