Week 1 matchup: Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

Three story lines
Opening day line-up. Expected to dominate up front, the Giants defensive line underachieved badly in 2009, done in by a mixture of injuries, sub-par performances and a lack of a sense of urgency. The club retooled, taking DE Jason Pierre-Paul(notes) and DT Linval Joseph(notes) with the first two draft picks to add to a talented group that is nfl jerseys
still smarting from last year's humbling.
Hold the Peppers. There was great concern how the Panthers would be able to pressure the opposing quarterback now that Julius Peppers(notes) is gone but in the preseason they amassed 18 sacks, including 10 from their top four defensive ends.
Stop that back attack. Burned into the memories of the members of the Giants defense is the way the Panthers ran over them back in late December, as Carolina piled up 257 rushing yards—206 from Jonathan Stewart(notes). The Giants restructured defense gets a big test right off the bat.
Three key Giants
RB Brandon Jacobs(notes). He's no longer the starter, supplanted by Ahmad Bradshaw(notes), and at the end of the preseason blew off some steam with some harsh quotes expressing his anger with the way the demotion was handled. The Giants run a multiple ground game and Jacobs will get plenty of rushing attempts to take his frustration out on the Panthers.
MLB Jonathan Goff(notes). A strong summer allowed Goff to retain the starting job although he's not expected to be an every-down player. Goff's primary goal is to set the defense and stop the run on first down, which is a crucial assignment against Carolina's powerful 1-2 running punch of DeAngelo Williams(notes) and Jonathan Stewart.
WR Steve Smith. This is the first time that there can be a debate which receiver Steve Smith is the more valuable player. The Giants version is coming off a 107-catch season and proven himself to be one of the best third-down targets in the league. His ability to keep the chains moving and provide quick access for Eli Manning(notes) will be a key getting the ball out quickly vs. the Panthers pressure.
Three key Panthers
RT Geoff Schwartz(notes). Starting RT Jeff Otah(notes) had his knee scoped August 4 and he might not be Minnesota Vikings jersey
ready. Even if he is, he probably won’t be at full strength and if he can’t make it, backup Geoff Schwartz moves in to go against DE Justin Tuck(notes). Schwartz started at the end of last season when the Panthers ran wild on the Giants.
LB Dan Connor(notes). Entering his third season, Connor makes his starting debut in the middle of the defense, where he'll have to contend with the 1-2 running punch of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. The Giants would love to get the bruising Jacobs isolated on Connor, who is a sure tackler but a bit undersized.
WR Steve Smith. Coming off a broken left arm back in June, Smith targeted the opener to be back and it appears he's going to hit that deadline. Smith has been healing and shaking off the rust after not catching a single pass in the preseason. If he lines up in the slot the Giants cornerbacks could be in trouble, as they don’t have a natural in that spot, especially with Aaron Ross(notes) (foot) hurting.
Bottom line
The Panthers offense went the entire preseason without scoring a touchdown in four preseason games, leaving nowhere to go but up as Matt Moore(notes) officially takes over for jettisoned Jake Delhomme(notes). The passing game was a major point of emphasis in Carolina but there's been little in the way of results in the summer. The Giants concentrated hard on upgrading what was a shabby 2009 pass defense, signing safeties Antrel Rolle(notes) and Deon Grant(notes) and getting a return to health of Indianapolis Colts jersey
safety Kenny Phillips(notes). The DeAngelo Williams-Jonathan Stewart dynamic rushing duo has dominated the Giants in recent years and could do so again, as until proven otherwise the revamped Giants defense is not the vice-grip run defense it was in previous years. The Giants expect and need Eli Manning to out-play Moore and to make some plays on the outside with Hakeem Nicks(notes) and Mario Manningham(notes). This is the first-ever regular-season game at New Meadowlands Stadium and the Giants want some payback from a year ago, when the Panthers in the last-ever Giants home game at Giants Stadium ruined the farewell with a resounding 41-9 crushing of the Giants. Giants 27, Panthers 20.