3 Panthers position groups that must step up at the Giants in Week 7

Which Carolina Panthers position groups must step up in Week 7 to reverse course at the New York Giants?

Week 6 provided a tantalizing matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. One that ultimately bullied the Carolina Panthers into another loss and provided more questions than answers of a team searching for an identity.

The days of being undefeated are a distant memory in the rearview mirror as the team has lost the last three contests by one score or less. In the NFL, winning the turnover battle and protecting the quarterback are phenomenal indicators of potential success. Two areas where the Panthers are failing.

Carolina ranks 28th in turnovers through the first six weeks (-4) and 26th in sacks allowed (18).

With six interceptions and two fumbles in the last three games, the Panthers are not taking care of the ball or setting themselves up for victory. Add in poor line play forcing Sam Darnold to revert to his performances from his New York Jets days, it is no wonder they are on a downhill trajectory.

The New York Giants come limping into this mid-October matchup in last place in the NFC East and own the second-worst record in the conference at 1-5. All-Pro and face-of-the-franchise Saquon Barkley has been a shell of his former self after suffering through a horrendous ACL tear and MCL sprain in September 2020 coupled with his recent ankle injury from Week 5.

The wide receiver corps is banged up as are the linebackers and secondary. Joe Judge, in his sophomore season at the helm, is hoping some of the magic from his days at Alabama and the New England Patriots will start to rub off on the Giants at some stage.

Carolina needs a lifeline to save their season.

Christian McCaffrey was recently placed on IR and will be out until at least Week 9. The Panthers’ play-calling has been questionable as of late. Mental errors and mistakes are becoming more prevalent. Penalties have increased. Matt Rhule is not earning his $8.5million salary which owner David Tepper handed out without a single game as an NFL coordinator or head coach to his name.

He was paid on previous success at the collegiate level, but so far that has not translated well. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers all but assured to win the division, the Panthers’ hopes of earning a Wild Card spot are diminishing currently sitting behind the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Vikings, and Chicago Bears.

With all this in mind, here are three Panthers position groups that must step up in Week 7 at the Giants.