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CHARLOTTE – In a packed up and down match, the Panthers – behind kicker Graham Gano's leg – escaped Bank of America stadium after a spectacular 33-31 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Gano's 63-yard conversion – his fourth successful attempt at the game – marked both a career and a long-term franchise for the veteran, who won the game in the same way for the Panthers at the last team meeting. in 2015.
"It was fun, I do not even think it hit me, I did not think it was so far when we went there," Gano said. "I really do not think much because I know the group in front of me is going to do their job well.
"I'm just very lucky to have this opportunity and to have the guys around me."
Down 31-30, Carolina's offense took the field with a time of 1:08 to play in regulation. Quarterback Cam Newton made two attempts in four assists to put the Panthers on the New York 45 with 30 seconds to go. Running back Christian McCaffrey and a Newton spike finally set the stage for Gano's exploits.
"Over the years, you've seen so many quarters [helped] by the kickers, and Graham put the entire team on his back today. Well, on his foot today, "Newton said.
Newton finished 21 of the 35 out of a total of 237 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions to go with 29 yards rushing. McCaffrey, who made his first touchdown of the season at the end of the fourth quarter, finished the night with 58 yards on 17 runs and five receptions for 35 yards.
After losing most of the match, New York held off in the second half. A 33-yard touchdown pass between quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. early in the fourth quarter led New York to less than three. After McCaffrey's score after Manning was selected by goaltender Mike Adams – his second of the game – the Giants responded with a 15-yard pass to Manning to rookie midfielder Saquon Barkley. But that would not be enough.
Manning had 22 points out of 36 for 326 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Beckham finished with 131 receiving yards, one touchdown and one touchdown. Barkley was limited to 50 yards rushing but had 81 yards and two touchdowns.
An eventful first half set the tone. Giants kicker Alex Rosas scored the first points of the contest on a 42-yard field goal in the team's second training session. Carolina's second drive featured a number of great games.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who made his debut this season, finished the five-game 75-yard series with a powerful 25-yard touchdown after Newton's double. Samuel's score came after a 12-yard pass by receiver Devin Funchess and a stunning 18-yard run by rookie DJ Moore on a clever reverse transfer.
The attack would not remain sidelined long after the defense found a fourth save at Carolina 39. A quick three and a half goals brought striker Michael Palardy back to the field, but what happened next was far from normal.
A bumpy return to Beckham resulted in a free play and a special touchdown of the special teams for safety, Colin Jones, who fell to the top. Samuel scored a forced fumble during the sequence after hitting the ball from the hands of Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
A few goals later, a 47-yard placement at Gano allowed the Panthers to climb 17-3, but a assist for the Giants – a 57-yard touchdown pass from Beckham to Barkley – brought the lead back Carolina at seven. A 47-yard second from Gano and a 53-yard conversion from Rosas ended a stock-rich half thanks to Carolina leading 20-13.
After starting the season 3-0 at home, the Panthers will travel for the first time since week 2 to face the Redskins at FedEx Field in Week 6.
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