AUTHOR: Anthony Fucilli TITLE: Crucial time DATE: 12/07/2006 09:13:00 PM ----- BODY:

What a difference a year makes with the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers. John Fox against Tom Coughlin. Last time these two met it was at Giants stadium in the playoffs, and the Giants had home field advantage. John Fox and the Panthers beat up on the Giants that day, and it was one of the worst losses in franchise history. That day the Giants were a hurting football team on defense, now they are a hurting football team in confidence. But the Carolina Panthers also come in banged up at the quarterback position. Will it be Chris Weinke or Jake Delhomme? They also come in after a horrible loss to the Eagles. So both teams are definitely going in different directions since the last time they met. Although the Panthers still have the dangerous Steve Smith and a pretty reliable defense and explosive offense, you have to wonder why things aren't clicking for the team this year. And why have they been so inconsistent? With that siad, John Fox and his company of defensive coaches will come up with a great scheme against Eli Manning and company. They were able to shut them down last year by primarily taking away Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey, and also rendering Tiki Barber ineffective. I would think Tiki Barber would also be chomping at the bit to get back at a Carolina team that had him questioning the coaching and the offense after the playoff disaster. Four straight losses have the Giants still in the hunt, but on life support. They need a win and it's at Carolina, and they need it desperately. Eli Manning showed some flashes last week against the Cowboys, getting back into a rhythm, getting the ball to Shockey and Burress, but he will have to do even more this week. Michael Strahan, who didn't practice this week, won't play. Osi Umenyiora probably will. And the Giants will have Sam Madison back obviously. This time around the middle of the defense will be different, because Antonio Pierce is here. The last time they rushed for over 200 yards, and the Panthers ran the ball over 40 times. It should be a different story this time. The Giants are solid up the middle, but the question will be if the quarterback -- Delhomme or Weinke -- can get the ball to Keyshawn Johnson or Steve Smith. If Smith can get the ball, he should give the Giants' secondary fits. He is a valubale player, and someone who can take it to the house at any moment. Look for short passes to him, especially if it's Weinke taking the snap, and let Smith do the rest. This is going to be a close game. The Giants' offense can move the ball, but the question is will the Carolina Panthers generate enough offense to beat the Giants if Chris Weinke is the quarterback? After four straight losses, and the Giants finding ways to lose games, I think this could possibly be their opportunity to break their streak and win a close one down in Carolina. However, don't be surprised if it goes the other way, on a Panthers field goal, and the Panthers squeak out the win. All and all, I think it's a three-point game either way.

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WHO SAID PLAYOFFS? As far as the Jets are concerned, this is another week where they play a team that doesn't have a great record, a team that isn't going to the playoffs, and a team with a quarterback, who is a turnover waiting to happen. JP Losman, or JP "Lousy" as I call him, can either be very good at times, or horrific. Usually, when you pressure him, he has a tendency to turn it over to the opponent. However, the Jets come in with a 7-5 record, and their fans should give them a lot of support. But will the Jets be able to slow down Willis McGahee, who has owned them in recent history? McGahee gives them a chance, if they keep the ball on the ground against the Jets' defense, and hopefully, hopefully they won't rely on a quarterback who is usually a mistake waiting to happen. As you can hear, I am not a big Buffalo Bills QB fan, and that's the reason I think the Jets will squeak this one out. Chad Pennington looked as good as a QB can look last week. He was in perfect rhythm, and in a cold situation in Green Bay. It's hard to imagine that the Bills, and JP Losman, can come in this week and beat the Jets. Anything can happen against that Jets' defense. The question is: Can someone get to Chad Pennington and break him out of that rhythm? I don't think it's possible. I like the Jets by 10, and I think they will move on to an 8-5 record.

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