Giants Vs. Panthers Preview: Q&A With Chris Schafer
To get us in the know for the Panthers game against the Giants, I did a Q&A with Chris Schafer of Cat Crave . Chris does a great job and Cat Crave is one of the best sites to get your Panthers news and analysis. So this is the Q&A:
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1. Should Cam Newton Be The MVP and if so, why?
Yes, Cam Newton should be the MVP of the National Football League this year. Cam has done the most with less, not only on the field, but off the field as well. Look at his group of receivers minus Greg Olsen. Probably 95% of all NFL fans could not name one member of the receiving corp for the Panthers this year. When Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL, all fans wanted to do was bring in a wide receiver, me included, but Cam has taken this bunch of guys and made it work. Rallying the team on the field and keeping everyone calm off the field. That speaks louder than statistics.
2. What is something people don’t pay enough attention to that the Panthers do well.
The nature of the run game. Yes, everyone knows how strong the run game is and that the Panthers focus on running the ball, but how many people realize that Jonathan Stewart is third in the league in rushing entering this week? Not many. Before last week, Stewart had carried the ball 20 or more times in each game since the Seattle game.
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) celebrate in the end zone during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeaten with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
3. What is the Panthers biggest weakness and how have they been able to overcome it on this great run?
The receiving corp. As mentioned before, Cam has taken a bunch of second and third tier receivers and has made them into threats in the passing game. A defense has to plan not only for the run game of the Panthers, but also for the passing game, which essentially opens all possibilities on offense. But, this weakness is not the main factor for the winning streak, it is the full teamwork and team effort of the offense, defense and special teams.
4. Does it feel like the Panthers have a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl?
No jinxing! But if you look at the way the Panthers are playing, they have overcome deficits, won close games and have blown out teams. If they continue to play as they have and as a team they will be like any team that makes the playoffs at having a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl.
5. Is this a potential trap game?
Yes, this has the potential to be a huge trap game. Coming off a blowout win of their rival, the Atlanta Falcons, and having to play the Falcons again next week, the Panthers should not take the Giants lightly. If Eli gets hot, he can easily have a big day. But, also it is New York, possibly cold weather, right before Christmas, which always creates a recipe for disaster.
6. What will be the final score and why?
Panthers 30, Giants 20. Cam and the offense will be too much for the defense of the Giants. On the opposite side of the ball, Josh Norman will limit Odell Beckham Jr.’s ability to get open and the linebacking corp of the Panthers will step up, get to Eli and rattle him, forcing him to turn the ball over.
Thanks to Chris Shafer and his wonderful staff at Cat Crave. Thanks for getting us in the know with the Panthers.