New York Giants at Carolina Panthers (+1, 51)THE STORY: The New York Giants have little time to get healthy as they take to the road Thursday to face the Carolina Panthers.
New York rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half and pulled out a thrilling 41-34 home victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday as Eli Manning threw for a career-high 510 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter. But the win came at a price as running back Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), receiver Domenik Hixon (concussion) and tackle David Diehl (knee) suffered first-half injuries and did not return.
Carolina is coming off an exciting win of its own as it held off the New Orleans Saints for a 35-27 triumph, the Panthers' first victory over their NFC South rivals since 2009. Carolina carried a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter but needed an interception by Jon Beason with 31 seconds remaining to keep New Orleans winless after two weeks.
The Panthers and Giants last met in Week 1 of the 2010 season, when New York posted a 31-18 victory in its inaugural game at MetLife Stadium. Carolina does have the distinction of being the last team to play New York at Giants Stadium as it cruised to a 41-9 win in Week 16 of the 2009 campaign and eliminated the Giants from playoff contention.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network.
LINE: Oddsmakers opened the Giants as 1.5-point road favorites and it really depends on the book to see where the line has moved. Some have the Panthers favored by as much as 2.5 while others have the Panthers as low as -1. Either way, it's a big move for a Thursday night primetime NFL game. The total has fallen from 52 to 51 points.
WEATHER: The forecast for Bank of America Stadium is calling for clear skies, temperatures in the lows 60s and zero chance of rain. Winds will blow slightly South.
ABOUT THE GIANTS (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS): Manning erased his three-interception first half by throwing for 295 yards after halftime, three shy of Phil Simms' club record. He passed for 243 of those yards during a 25-point fourth quarter, the team's biggest since 2006. Manning shattered his previous career high of 420 passing yards set last season against Seattle. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz were Manning's favorite targets. Nicks had 10 receptions for 199 yards and a TD while Cruz hauled in 11 passes for 179 yards and a score.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS): Receiver Steve Smith, who battled a knee injury, caught three passes for 104 yards against the Saints. It was the 39th time in his career he has amassed at least 100 receiving yards. Being interception-free is key for Cam Newton as Carolina is 6-1 over the past two seasons in games in which he has not been picked off. Newton led the Panthers' rushing attack against New Orleans with 71 yards, two more than DeAngelo Williams on one less carry.
TRENDS:* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Favorite is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Panthers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
* Giants are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 road games.
EXTRA POINTS:1. New York's 604 total yards against the Buccaneers fell five shy of the franchise record set on Dec. 3, 1950, in a 51-7 triumph over the New York Yanks.
2. After rushing for a dubious franchise record-tying 10 yards against Tampa Bay in their season opener, the Panthers gained 219 yards on the ground versus New Orleans.
3. The Giants became the second team in NFL history to have a 500-yard passer and two 150-yard receivers in a game, joining the 1951 Los Angeles Rams.