Week one of the NFL season is behind us, and for New York Giants fans there were a lot of positives. The Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers in their first ever game at the New Meadowlands Stadium, 31-18. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks caught three touchdowns from quarterback Eli Manning. Aside from a few drops and tipped balls that led to interceptions, the Giants passing game looked impressive. They struggled mightily to run the ball in the first half, going to the break with -2 yards on the ground. The Giants were able to run more in the second half, and running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs both enjoyed 20+ yard runs. Bradshaw scored the final Giants touchdown on the ground, one that essentially put the game away.
On defense the Giants looked like a completely different unit from last year. In the first half, because of poor performance from their special teams the Giants were constantly defending a short field. They still held Carolina to field goals and limited the damage of the Panthers dangerous backfield duo, Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Safety Kenny Phillips looked good in his return to action, making a touchdown saving tackle and in interception late in the game. The Giants forced five turnovers in all on defense, and in the second half harassed Carolina quarterback Matt Moore. Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell unleashed a hellacious pass rush once the Giants secured their lead, and the team didn’t look back. They sacked Moore four times and repeatedly knocked him down. Moore was eventually pulled from the game and replaced by rookie Jimmy Clausen.
