A healthy dose of real life has prevented me from getting my entire NFL picks column up by now. . .and, when one considers that I had what was probably the worst week of picking games that I've had since I started doing this for our humble little website here, that might be for the best. But, I will soldier on in any event, and bring you the pick for tonight's NFL contest, with the number once again courtesy of our friends at OddsShark.
After the jump, of course.
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
The Giants had a very interesting game last week against Tampa Bay, with Eli Manning throwing three first-half interceptions before recovering to throw three touchdown passes and racking up 510 passing yards for the afternoon. Manning's second-half turnaround led the Giants to a furious comeback over the Buccaneers, 41-34.
The Panthers remembered that they were pretty good at running the football, and a pretty decent offensive team overall, as they rushed for 219 yards in a 35-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints at home.
Both of these teams are 1-1. . .you know, like most of the rest of the National Football League. . .and this is a very intriguing match-up. Both of these teams have high-flying offenses. Eli Manning leads the defending Super Bowl Champions, while the Panthers are paced by Cam Newton, Steve Smith, and the two-headed rushing monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Manning will be without a couple of key weapons in this one, however, as receiver Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw will miss this game with injuries.
That might just be the advantage that the Panthers need to win at home. With the injuries to Nicks and Bradshaw, coupled with the fact that this is the Giants. . .meaning they don't really kick into high gear until early November or so. . .look for Carolina to win a closely contested battle at Bank of America Stadium.
Straight-Up: Panthers, ATS: Panthers