NBA playoffs,

It's desperation time for a pair of 0

A rash of injuries has hit the Panthers hard in the secondary. Moore (knee). That leaves Mike Mitchell to start at FS and undrafted rookie Robert Lester at SS. Scrambling, the Panthers resigned CB Drayton Florence , who had been cut in training camp. RB Kenjon Barner (foot) is out. Carolina could also be missing DT Dwan Edwards (hamstring). The Giants expect to have all hands on deck, although CB Corey Webster (hip) was a late addition to the injury list.

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"The Giants don't have much at the running back spot right now but that's not the only thing wrong with the running game. Their offensive line has been allowing penetration. That will be more of an issue next week in Kansas City. I'd expect the Giants to go with three wides all day and spread them out. Eli should be able to make better decisions. There have been a lot of factors in those interceptions, but I think he's forcing things a little. Cam Newton seems to be playing tentatively. The Panthers are keeping him in the pocket and he's not making plays with his legs. That's in contrast to last year's game when Newton was running a lot of read option."

It's desperation time for both 0 2 teams, especially for the Panthers who would be dead in the water at 0 3 in the strong NFC South. The Giants, of course, have shown more resiliency and toughness over the years and have played some of their best football when up against it under Tom Coughlin, who is mourning the sudden death of his brother John. The Panthers, on the other hand, have not shown the mental toughness to win in big spots. Their Tom Savage Texans Jersey last second loss in Buffalo, where they allowed rookie QB EJ Manuel to drive the field, was the latest example. Under head coach Ron Rivera , the Panthers are 2 14 in games decided by seven or fewer points.

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