The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-17 in an overtime nailbiter in Munich after a critical Tyrone Tracy fumble.
Despite Daniel Jones’ struggles (22/37, two INTs), the Giants had fought back from 17-7 down in the fourth quarter to set up overtime and received the ball first in front of a sell-out crowd at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, but, on the first play, rookie running back Tracy had the ball punched out by A’Shawn Robinson.
The Panthers recovered and duly ran three short-yardage plays before a 36-yard walk-off field goal from Eddy Pineiro, lifting the ‘hosts’ of this season’s only NFL game in Germany to a 3-7 record.
The Giants drop to 2-8, with the pressure increasing on head coach Brian Daboll.
Chuba Hubbard had the best game of his career for the Panthers, carrying 28 times for 153 yards, and Bryce Young (15/25, one TD) played efficiently if not spectacularly in winning his second straight start.
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead thanks to a short pass from Young to one of his many young pass catchers, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and another long drive resulted in a 53-yard Pineiro field goal, as the Giants’ offense stuttered.
Jones could not get in rhythm and, when he did, there was either a missed field goal by Graham Gano, or a red-zone interception after the quarterback’s pass was tipped by Jadeveon Clowney and caught by Xavier Woods.
Down 10-0, the Giants responded to start the second half with a run-heavy drive finished off by a fine 32-yard run by Tracy, but the Panthers restored their 10-point lead with a TD run of their own, albeit from the one-yard line, by Hubbard.
The, admittedly seldom seen in this game, offensive production continued on the next drive as Jones got receivers Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson into the game and then kept the ball for himself for a touchdown run, making it a three-point game.
Then, there was carnage as neither team looked keen to close out the game.
First, the Panthers fumbled in their own territory as Hubbard lost control of the ball, before Jones threw his second interception, this time to Josey Jewell.
The Panthers could not capitalise and Jones then led a two-minute drive to set up a game-tying Gano field goal, and the Giants looked to have the momentum in overtime after winning the coin toss and electing to receive.
But, on the very first play, a huge punch from defensive tackle Robinson led to Tracy losing the ball, with that man Jewell scooping it up and essentially wrapping up the Panthers’ victory.
All it needed was Pineiro to hold his nerve, and that he did.
Stats leaders
New York Giants
- Passing: Daniel Jones, 22/37, 190 yards, 2 INTs
- Rushing: Tyrone Tracy, 18 carries, 1 TD
- Receiving: Wan’Dale Robinson, 5 catches, 51 yards
Carolina Panthers
- Passing: Bryce Young, 15/25, 126 yards, 1 TD
- Rushing: Chuba Hubbard, 28 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Jalen Coker, 3 catches, 41 yards
Scoring summary
What’s next?
Both the Panthers and the Giants have a bye week and are back in action in their home cities on Sunday November 24. The Panthers take on the, as of now, undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while the Giants face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
