The New York Giants will take on the Carolina Panthers across the pond in Germany as a part of the NFL’s international series this coming Sunday.
The game between the two teams may very well be one of the toughest sells in the NFL’s international history.
Despite the Giants coming in riding a four-game losing streak, Big Blue opened as favorites, and significant ones at that. With the Giants being favorites in this one, it breaks a 24-game streak where they were listed as underdogs.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are coming off their second win of the season, which snapped a five-game losing streak, having defeated the New Orleans Saints.
Here are three causes for concern ahead of Sunday’s game in Germany.
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Defense in the Red Zone
Some of the Giants’ closest games this season have been close because of their defense’s ability to step up in the red zone. Believe it or not, the Panthers are eighth in the league in red zone efficiency. This could pose a threat to a Giants defense that struggled the last few games.
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Pass rush gone silent
Last week, the Giants’ defensive front failed to register a sack in their game against the Washington Commanders; a team that they recorded five sacks against in their first meeting. As bad as the Panthers have been this season, if the Giants are going to win on Sunday, they cannot give Bryce Young time in the pocket.
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Scoring points
The two biggest struggles for the Giants this year have been stopping the run on defense and putting points on the board on offense. The Giants’ offense ranks dead last in red zone efficiency and no matter who they play, it always seems to be a struggle to get points on the scoreboard for Big Blue.
