Panthers vs. Giants instant analysis: Carolina needed a knockout blow

Instant analysis from the Carolina Panthers’ 38-35 victory over the New York Giants:

▪  The Panthers needed a knockout blow.

Carolina was leading 35-7 at the end of the third quarter and it appeared the starters were going to get some late-game rest.

Not so much.

The Panthers let the Giants back into the game with a blocked field goal (Graham Gano’s fifth kick that has been blocked this season) and a turnover (fumbled exchange between Cam Newton and Cameron Artis-Payne on a zone-read play).

The Panthers just became flat, much like in their come-from-ahead wins against Green Bay and Indianapolis.

▪  Josh Norman for the most part kept his cool.

Norman was in Odell Beckham’s head from the start of the game, as the Giants’ star receiver took several cheap shots at the Panthers’ shut-down corner. None was cheaper than the helmet-to-helmet Beckham laid on Norman in the second half.

The officials should have ejected Beckham for that play. They didn’t, and Beckham caught a 14-yard TD over Norman with less than two minutes remaining.

▪  Panthers need to figure out what’s up with the blocked kicks.

Gano ultimately gained redemption with the game-winning 43-yard field goal.

But the blocked kicks are concerning. He’s had four field goals blocked this season, plus an extra point that the Saints’ Stephone Anthony returned for two points.

Not sure if it’s the protection, the trajectory of Gano’s kicks or a combination of both. But the Panthers need to find a solution.

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Panthers vs. Giants instant analysis: Carolina needed a knockout blow."