Gameday Live 1: Giants vs. Panthers

Good afternoon Giants enthusiasts! The long offseason is finally over — welcome to Week 1 in the NFL!

I'm Chris Mascaro and I'll be bringing you all of today's action live from the stadium, as the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers in the first game at the New Meadowlands Stadium (or Giants Stadium 2 as Mike Francesa likes to call it). 

It's been a long offseason with plenty of storylines, but today, we'll finally get to see some real live game action. The Giants finished the preseason 2-2, but really, who cares? Those records generally mean very little once the regular season starts.

So what is important as the Giants begin the 2010 campaign? Plenty, actually.

Let's start with the saga of Brandon Jacobs. Bottom line: he's not starting and he's not very happy about it. Ahmad Bradshaw is now the starter, but both should see plenty of carries, as they did last season. Somehow that doesn't comfort Jacobs.

When asked about sharing reps earlier this week, he stormed out of the locker room shouting expletives. Maybe that's a good thing? He'll run angry? Who knows. But it's worth watching today. 

Here are three other things to watch out for today. And if you don't like them, there's always this stuff.

1. Which Steve Smith will have more receiving yards today? Indeed, it's the battle of like-named receivers, as Giants Steve Smith (1,220 yards and seven TDs last year) goes up against Carolina Steve Smith (982, seven). Carolina Steve said the Giants will be "playing with a chip on their shoulder" today after the beating the Panthers laid on them last season. We'll see if the fiery receiver does the same. Giants Steve is coming off a season in which he became the first Giants receiver to make the Pro Bowl since Homer Jones in 1968. This matchup could turn the tide today.

*The Steve Smith prize goes to Carolina's version, as he had five catches for 75 yards and a TD. Giants' Steve also had five catches, but only for 43 yards. Nicks was more of a focus for Manning today.

2. Can the Giants stop the Carolina rushing attack? The Panthers boast talented running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who became the first teammates to rush for over 1,100 yards each last season. Stewart carved up the Giants for 206 in the Week 16 meeting (a 41-9 Carolina win), so stopping the run is a priority for the G-Men defense today. 

Said defensive tackle Barry Cofield: "This is going to tell us a lot about our team. We're facing a team that makes a living running the ball."

*Indeed they can. Carolina ran the ball 24 times for 89 yards, a 3.7 average per carry. They were led by Williams, who had 62 yards on 16 carries (3.9). Moore had two scrambles for 15 yards.

3. Will the Giants enjoy their new digs? The swirling wind became a famous intricacy at the old stadium, and today, we'll see if the same is true here across the way. Winds today are hitting about 15 mph. The players most likely to be affected by the wind? Quarterback Eli Manning (pictured above), kicker Lawrence Tynes and punter Matt Dodge. We'll keep an eye on how they deal with the conditions today.

*The weather dampened a few spirits, but not the passing game. Manning had an 87.9 passer rating, but that was largely due to the three interceptions, which weren't really his fault (all three knocked off receivers' hands). Tynes was solid on 32-yard field goal, but Dodge struggled, averaging just 28.7 yards on three punts. He also had one blocked. That seemed more of first-game jitters than wind related. Next week's game in a dome should show more about the new punter.

Here is the weather report from here in Jersey, where rain is in the forecast. It rained for a few minutes earlier this morning, but currently, it's just overcast. Temperatures are in the high 60s.

Today's inactives are CB Aaron Ross, LB Phillip Dillard, LB Gerris Wilkinson, G Mitch Petrus, DE Dave Tollefson, WR Victor Cruz, WR Duke Calhoun and DT Linval Joseph. Tom Coughlin had said Ross would be a game-time decision despite being listed as "doubtful," but apparently his right foot isn't strong enough to go today.

Kenny Phillips will start at safety. It will be his first game since microfracture surgery on his left knee ended his season after only two games last year.

Finally, here are a few notes on today's game:

-The Panthers, who finished last season 8-8, were 3-5 on the road in 2009, including a 41-9 win over the Giants to close the old stadium in Week 16.

-Carolina is 3-2 against the Giants since 2003, but New York has won two of the last three.

-Last season, the Giants were fifth in the NFC in points scored with 402 (behind New Orleans, Minnesota, Green Bay and Philadelphia). They allowed 427, which was third worst in the conference (only Detroit and St. Louis allowed more). They allowed 30+ points seven times last season, including three of the last four games.

-The Panthers scored 315 and allowed 308. They were 8-4 against the rest of the NFC, and won their last three games of the season. The Giants were 6-6 against NFC opponents. 

-Moore, who threw eight touchdowns and two INTs in 2009, was 19th in the league in passer rating among all players at 98.5. He completed 61.6 percent of his passes, and he averaged 7.63 yards per attempt (Manning averages 7.90 per attempt).

-The Panthers were +6 in turnover margin (tied for fifth in the NFC), while the Giants were -7.

Okay, that's all for now. But we've got plenty more to talk about this afternoon, so keep it locked here throughout the day!

I'll be back after each quarter with updates.

We're about 15 minutes from football on FOX!

End of the 1st Quarter: Giants 7, Panthers 3

Panthers' first scoring drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:39

Scoring play: Kasey 21-yard FG.

Key play: Captain Munnerlyn (yes, that's his real name) returned Dodge's poor line-drive punt 28 yards to the Giants' 29-yard line. 

Giants' first scoring drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:42

Scoring play: Nicks 26-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick)

Key play: Manningham 31-yard catch deep right from Manning on third-and-16 from their own 40.

*Also, Kevin Boss, who caught Manning's first pass for 11 yards, got hurt on a pass intended for him at the 11:10 mark. He stood up, but took the cart off the field. His neck is being evaluated.

Players who impressed for the Giants:

-Phillips made a touchdown-saving tackle on Williams on third-and-four from the Giants 5-yard line. 

-Deon Grant made an acrobatic interception in the end zone on a horrible pass by Moore. It fluttered up long enough for Grant to make the leaping grab.

-Chris Canty made a nice stop on Williams on a third-and-1 to force a punt on Carolina's first drive.

Players who struggled:

-Osi Umenyiora nearly had a sack on Moore on the first play from scrimmage, but the QB wiggled out and gained seven yards on a scramble. And yes, that means Osi did start the game.

-Hakeem Nicks had a Manning pass knock off his hands into the arms of Carolina DB Charles Godfrey. Nicks atoned for his sins by scoring the first Giants' touchdown of the season.

-Dodge's first punt was too low, allowing the Panthers to get a solid return. He was upset with himself, ripping his chin strap off in disgust. The rookie must get better or the Giants will have to beg Jeff Feagles to come out of retirement.

What to watch for in the second quarter: Can the Giants survive with Travis Beckum at tight end? They're going to have to, he's the only other TE on the roster.

End of the 2nd Quarter: Panthers 16, Giants 14

Panthers' second scoring drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:20

Scoring play: Kasey 52-yard FG (his second of the day).

Key play: Moore scrambled left eight yards on third-and-2 from the Giants' 47.

Panthers' third scoring drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 2:07

Scoring play: Kasey 43-yard FG (his third of the day).

Key play: Mike Goodson 13-yard catch-and-run from Moore on third-and-6 from the Carolina 40 — with a 15-yard penalty tacked on (more below).

Giants' second scoring drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 1:01

Scoring play: Nicks 19-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) ... it was the pair's second TD hookup of the game.

Key play: Pass interference on Richard Marshall, who held Smith on third-and-3 from their own 27. Also, Nicks 25-yard catch from Manning on first-and-10 from their own 47.

Panthers' fourth scoring drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 0:40

Scoring play: Smith 19-yard pass from Moore (Kasey kick)

Key play: Smith 10-yard catch from Moore on third-and-2 from the Giants' 42.

*Update on Boss*: It was announced that he sustained a concussion and will not return.

*A light drizzle has begun here at the stadium.

Players who impressed for the Giants:

-Darius Reynaud returned a punt 10 yards to his own 20. That probably means he shouldn't have fielded it at all. But credit Reynaud for doing a serviceable job on punt/kick returns.

-Giants' Steve Smith picked up a first down by about an inch on a curl route on third-and-7 from his own 23.

-Nicks made a nice leaping catch along the sideline on the Giants' scoring drive right before the half. Initially, it was ruled that he was out of bounds, but the official review (it was under 2:00) overturned the call for a 25-yard gain to the Carolina 28. His touchdown catch later in the drive was a pretty grab right over the head of Munnerlyn, who was in decent position 1-on-1 on the outside.

Players who struggled:

-Manning's second interception of the game, by James Anderson, was dropped by Bradshaw and Anderson scooped it up before it hit the ground.

-The Giants' run game is sputtering mightily, with eight yards on 13 attempts. The offensive line isn't opening many holes, and the ones they are aren't being hit hard by Bradshaw/Jacobs. Jacobs has two yards on four carries, and Bradshaw has six on nine rushes.

-Umenyiora was flagged 15 yards for roughing the passer. It was tacked onto a converted third-and-6 from the Panthers' 40, and the drive culminated in a field goal.

-Manningham was called for holding on one of the Giants' few positive running plays late in the first half.

What to watch for in the second half: Can the Giants get their running game into gear?

Here are some halftime stats for your viewing pleasure...

Giants

Manning: 11 for 18 passing for 177 yards, two TDs, two INTs
Bradshaw: 9 carries, 6 yards
Jacobs: 4 carries, 2 yards; 1 catch, 9 yards
Nicks: 3 catches, 70 yards, two TDs
Manningham: 2 catches, 52 yards
Smith: 3 catches, 32 yards 
Boss: 1 catch, 11 yards

Tynes: 2 for 2 on XPs
Grant: INT

Panthers

Moore: 7 for 14 passing for 82 yards, TD, INT; 2 carries, 15 yards
Williams: 12 carries, 57 yards
Stewart: 4 carries, 11 yards
Smith: 4 catches, 48 yards, TD
Goodson: 2 receptions, 26 yards
Kasey: 3 for 3 FGs; 1 for 1 on XPs
Anderson/Godfrey: INT each; Dan Connor: sack

End of the 3rd Quarter: Giants 24, Panthers 16

Giants' third scoring drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:57

Scoring play: Tynes 31-yard FG.

Key play: Manning 1-yard QB sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Carolina 23.

Giants' fourth scoring drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:48

Scoring play: Nicks 5-yard catch from Manning (Tynes kick) ... it was the pair's third TD hookup of the game.

Key play: Manningham 25-yard reception from Manning on second-and-13 from the Carolina 41.

Players who impressed for the Giants:

-Jacobs took a carry on the first play of the second half 22 yards down the sideline. It is by far the Giants' longest rush of the game, and one of the few times Jacobs has run in a straight line longer than 20 yards since last year (including the preseason). Two plays later, he caught a nine-yard pass out of the backfield.

-Tuck made a nice play in the backfield on Williams. The play went for no gain.

-Moore's third-and-11 pass was batted down by a blitzing Terrell Thomas to force a punt.

-The punt never happened, though. J.J. Jansen flubbed the snap (it appeared as if the wet ball slipped out of his hands) and D.J. Ware recovered the ball for the Giants on the Carolina 38-yard line.

-It appears Nicks is Eli's new favorite red-zone target, as he's hit him on TD passes of 19 and five yards (and also 26).

-Barry Cofield sacked Moore on the first play of the Panthers' drive after the Giants' TD for a loss of 10 yards. On the very next play, he rushed Moore into an incompletion. Nice series for the big fella.

Players who struggled:

-Beckum had an eight-yard reception over the middle. Unfortunately for the Giants, it was on third-and-9 from the Carolina 21. Tynes kicked a field goal on the next play.

What to watch for in the fourth quarter: Can the Giants pick up a win in their first game at the new stadium?

That's the end of game, as the Giants defeat the Panthers, 31-18.
Giants: 1-0 (1-0 home)
Panthers: 0-1 (0-1 road)

Scores by quarter for the Giants: 7, 7, 10, 7
Scores by quarter for the Panthers: 3, 13, 0, 2

Giants' fifth scoring drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:24

Scoring play: Bradshaw 4-yard run (Tynes kick)

Key play: Bradshaw 39-yard run through a big hole up the middle on first-and-10 on the Carolina 40. In all, Bradshaw rushed for 49 yards on three carries on the drive, and caught a pass for 16 yards.

Panthers' fifth score: Safety — Greg Hardy punt blocked into the back of the end zone.

Players who impressed for the Giants:

-Thomas stepped in front of Smith to intercept a Moore pass in the end zone. Phillips repeated the act on Carolina's next possession. Moore had a very rough second half.

-The Giants pass rush really stepped up in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Mathias Kiwanuka recorded a sack and Tuck nearly got one the play before. Later, Kiwanuka got another sack, jarred the ball loose and Tuck recovered it on the Carolina 30-yard line.

Umenyiora also had a sack/forced fumble. It got so bad that Moore got hurt and rookie Jimmy Clausen made his pro debut. Clausen didn't fare much better, as his only two passes fell incomplete. At least he escaped being sacked in the end zone.

Players who struggled:

-Manning's third interception of the game went off the hands of a leaping Ramses Barden, who was lined up in the slot. All three of Manning's picks have gone off the hands of Giants' receivers.

-Dodge's struggles continued, as he took too long to get a punt off and it was blocked. It rolled into the back of the end zone for a safety.

Here are your three stars for tonight's game:

1. Nicks: 4 catches, 75 yards, three TDs

2. Manning: 20 for 30 passing, 263 yards, three TDs, three INTs

3. Bradshaw: 20 carries, 76 yards, TD; 2 catches, 17 yards; lost fumble

*The Giants had a 33:59-25:21 advantage in time of possession and a 376-237 advantage in total yards.

Giants
Jacobs: 12 carries, 44 yards; 2 catches, 21 yards
Manningham: 4 catches, 85 yards
Smith: 5 receptions, 43 yards
Tynes: 1 of 1 FGs; 4 of 4 XPs
Beckum: 2 catches, 11 yards

Boss: 1 catch, 11 yards

Antrel Rolle: 7 tackles; Umenyiora: sack, forced fumble; Thomas, Phillips, Grant: INT each; Kiwanuka: two sacks, forced fumble; Cofield/Canty: .5 sack each.

Panthers

Moore: 14 for 33 passing for 182 yards, one TD, three INTs; 2 carries, 15 yards
Williams: 16 carries, 62 yards
Stewart: 5 carries, 12 yards
Smith: 5 catches, 75 yards, TD
Goodson: 3 receptions, 31 yards
Kasey: 3 for 3 FGs; 1 for 1 on XPs
Godfrey: 2 INTs; Anderson: INT; Dan Connor: 10 tackels, sack; Hardy: forced fumble

*Today's paid attendance was 77,245.

Here is some postgame reaction:

Manning: "Offensively, we didn't get in a rhythm, but our defense played outstanding and gave us a shot to get back in the game."

Manning on Nicks: "Hakeem made a lot of big plays, and that's what we need. Carolina did a good job. They doubled Steve Smith a lot today, and those guys [Mario Manningham and Nicks] took advantage."

Manning on playing against his brother next week: "It's going to be a tough game. They're coming off a loss, so they're going to be fired up. 

"The first time they made a lot of fuss about it being the Manning Bowl and this and that, and I probably I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. This time, you just have to realize you don't know how many more times this is going to happen. ...It's rare, and you kind of appreciate the fact that when the national anthem is being sung, you look over and see your big brother standing over on the other sideline, it's special."

On whether he'll talk to Peyton: "I'll probably talk to him today or tomorrow and then probably again on Friday. There won't be a whole lot of information going back and forth. He's still my brother, so I'll still talk to him. We'll kind of keep our normal routine."

Cofield on the differences between the new stadium and the old one: "It was very similar. When we weren't playing well, they were letting us hear it, and when we made plays, they were loud. It was a lot of fun, especially in the beginning with the 9/11 tribute. There was so much energy in the building. It felt familiar. It felt like a New York Giants crowd. It was a rainy, damp day. So the fans had every reason to kind of be out of it. But they were still there in the fourth quarter."

Kenny Phillips: "I've still got some things to work on, but the defense played great and I'm just happy to be a part of it. I felt better [than before his injury], especially because of the guys I had around me, they made it real easy for me.

"A few times they got the ball in the red zone, and we just had to man up."

Ahmad Bradshaw: "We just knew we had to keep fighting. That's what this game is about.

"We knew we had to change a lot [with Kevin Boss out] on offense."

Bradshaw on his 39-yard run to the 1-yard line: "We had a power play and I was able to squeeze through a little hole."

Bradshaw on sharing carries with Jacobs: "We know how good we are together. We just want to show everyone we are a great duo."

Bradshaw on his TD run moments later: "It took a lot of our shoulders. We fought all the way to the 1-yard line and we were able to push it in."

Nicks: "It's great, but I want to keep going up from there. It was a good feeling, but it just goes to show that when things go wrong early in the game, never give up. Keep on fighting and keep making plays."

Jacobs: "I did notice a few [empty seats] up in that middle tier, but I was saying to myself, 'those must be the ones that cost a whole bunch of money.' Or it was a big box and people could've just been inside. ...It takes hard work to be able to afford a seat like that. There's a lot of people out there that made up their mind that they're just gonna watch on T.V. Times are getting hard and you can't hold it against anyone. ...Throughout the season, those seats are going to get filled."

Jacobs on the running game: "We just came out in the second half and committed to it. You can't stop running after a few times, because you'll never get going like that. ...You've gotta get momentum and that's what we did." 

Okay, that's all for today's game. Please check back above for updates on my pregame keys to the game, and below for postgame comments. Thanks to all for coming out!

As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring everyone all of today's live game action.

See ya'll back here in next Sunday night, as the Giants travel to Indianapolis to take on the Peyton Manning and the Colts at 8:20 p.m.