THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL-GIANTS (1-1) AT PANTHERS (1-1)

BIFF’S TAKE ON THE GAME:
 
Giants: A lot changed this afternoon when the team announced that WR Hakeem Nicks would miss the Carolina game due to injury. This does two things: One, it makes Eli Manning's overall job tougher through the air. Two, it ups the stakes of WR Victor Cruz and TE Martellus Bennett (who already has 2 TD catches). Most owners who have Eli will likely start him anyway and expect these two to pick up Nicks' slack. Starting Cruz and Bennett are no-brainer moves in a game that should see plenty of scoring.
 
I'd stay away from the NY ground game, however. Ahmad Bradshaw is out, and backup Andre Brown will get the majority of the work. Rookie David Wilson is apparently a disappointment, and owners who drafted him should think about cutting their losses. Brown ran well against the Bucs last weekend, but that was at home with an uncluttered mind. This is on the road on national television.
 
Start K Lawrence Tynes if you want. He's been better than projected through two games. Forget about starting the Giants defense. Tampa Bay chewed it up at the Meadowlands; the Panthers could really inflict some fantasy pain.
 
 
Panthers: Cam Newton rebounded nicely in Week 2, and he should devour a decimated Giants secondary after seeing what Josh Freeman did to it five days earlier. WR Steve Smith is a must-start, and if you've got WR Brandon LaFell on your roster, I'd think about starting him, too. LaFell and Newton are very comfortable with each other, and LaFell seems to be emerging as a key cog in the offense. TE Greg Olson has been a forgotten man and should be avoided.
 
RB Jonathan Stewart is not looking like he's going to be able to play Thursday, so the workload falls back on DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert, each of whom scored last weekend. I'm not a fan of starting either of them, unless your RB corps shows you no better play.
 
I'm no fan of Carolina's kicking game or its defense at this point.
 
 
Overall: I'm expecting a shootout, and apparently so are the bookies (over/under of 52.0). Should be a Carolina win in the area of 27-24, with lots of good fantasy numbers posted.

ANDREW’S TAKE ON THE GAME:

First off, I like the Panthers in a close game. I don’t think either offense will light up the scoreboard, but both should have decent nights.

Who I love:

Victor Cruz (WR, NYG) has been Eli’s go-to guy this season, including a huge game (179 yds, 1 td) Sunday. He is going to be an even bigger target tonight with Hakeem Nicks out.

Cam Newton (QB, CAR) is the Panther’s offense. He is the leading rusher on the team and ran for 71 yds and a td last week. Pencil him in for 250 yds and at least 1 td through the air as well. Maybe not elite qb numbers, but I think he’s a solid start, especially at home.

Martellus Bennett (TE, NYG) has had a good start to the season, scoring a td in each of the first two games. He has only caught 9 balls, but has over 100 yards and Eli looks for him in the endzone. With Nicks out, his role will increase.

Andre Brown (RB, NYG) is probably a flex option, but he is poised to have a big game with Ahmad Bradshaw out. Brown came in Sunday when Bradshaw was hurt and ran for 71 yds and a td on 13 carries. Carolina will give up yards on the ground.

Ho-hum:

Eli Manning (QB, NYG) found himself last weekend against the Buccaneers after a rough outing in a Week 1 loss in Dallas. He threw for over 500 yds and 3 touchdowns, but also had 3 interceptions. Carolina has a fairly salty pass defense, so only start him if you don’t have another option.

Steve Smith (WR, CAR) has been Cam Newton’s biggest target, but has yet to score this season. While I like him to have a good game, Brandon LaFell will take some of his looks.

 Brandon LaFell (WR, CAR) is much like Steve Smith: a big target but hasn’t had a huge game yet. I think he and Smith share too much of the duty to fall in love with either of them.

 Who I hate:

 All Carolina RBs. Jonathon Stewart is questionable after missing Week 1 and having a decent game last week. DeAngelo Williams had -1 on 6 carries in Week 1 and 69 yds with a td last week. If you HAVE to play a Carolina back, make it Williams and pray.