Giants vs. Panthers predictions: BBV staff has little faith in the Giants

Can the New York Giants get their second victory of the season on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers? When it comes to making predictions, most of your Big Blue View staff members don’t think so.

According to DraftKings sportsbook, the New York Giants are +2.5 point underdogs against the Panthers. Here are this week’s Big Blue View staff picks:

Chris Pflum

“This is a winnable game for the Giants. The Panthers have stumbled over the last three weeks, and their offense has had some significant problems. They also have a divisional match-up against the Falcons next week and could overlook the Giants. However, this could also be a “get healthy” game for the Panthers offense and their defense could just be too much for an injury-ravaged Giants’ offense.”

Jeremy Portnoy

“As the Giants’ injury-ravaged roster currently stands, I’m not picking them to beat any team in the NFL. The Panthers’ playoff hopes are still alive, and they need a win in the worst way. Per ESPN, Carolina has an NFL-best pass rush win rate of 53 percent. Without Andrew Thomas to protect him, Daniel Jones could be in for a performance as ugly as last week’s three-interception showing.”

Joseph Czikk

“If there is a good chance for the Giants to steal a win before a three-game stretch against the Chiefs, Raiders and Bucs, it’s right here. The Panthers are on a three-game slide and the loss of premier running back Christian McCaffrey has clearly taken a toll on Sam Darnold and the offense. Confidence is low in Charlotte: even the normally cool and collected wide receiver Robby Anderson has struggled after a big offseason payday. While the Giants will be without its much-improved second-year left tackle Andrew Thomas, the offense can still get it done if Daniel Jones has a big game. I’m taking Big Blue at home. ”

Nick Falato

“I honestly believe the Giants COULD defeat the spiraling Panthers who dropped three games in a row. However, will they? The injuries continue to grow by the week, and my faith in the Giants' protection to, you know, PROTECT, Daniel Jones is dismal. Phil Snow and the Panthers’ defense are filled with talented versatile playmakers at every level, and they love to bring exotic pressure. If the Giants win this game, it will be on the back of their defense which hasn’t lived up to expectations this season. Both teams are going to attempt to run the football - play conservatively. Matt Rhule suggested as much after their loss against the Vikings. So, it’s possible that a few Sam Darnold mistakes can lead the Giants to their second victory of the season. Possible, doesn’t mean certain, and it may not mean probable.”

Emily Iannaconi

“ ... unlike the Giants, the Panthers have shown that they are able to beat the teams that they are supposed to beat (with the possible exception of the loss to the Eagles in Week 5). The Giants have not won winnable games and instead find themselves 1-5 and entering Sunday’s matchup riding two ugly back-to-back games in which they lost by a combined 51 points. There was one point in the season where I would have picked the Giants here. But I think Matt Rhule (who once could have been on the opposite sideline) and his Panthers will be able to bounce back from their losing streak with a victory at the Meadowlands.”

Valentine’s View

“This is a game the Giants can win. I have learned my lesson, though. I can’t pick them to win until they actually do it. The Giants need a win in the worst way, especially at home. I don’t have any faith that they will get one.”