The New York Giants, behind a brilliant night from quarterback Eli Manning and career-best performances from running back Andre Brown and wide receiver Ramses Barden, routed the Carolina Panthers, 36-7, in NFL action Thursday night. The Giants are 2-1, while the Panthers are 1-2.
Manning ended his night 27-of-35 for 288 yards and one touchdown. Brown gained 113 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, the first 100-yard game of his career. Barden also had a career day, catching nine passes for 138 yards. The nine receptions equaled Barden's total from the 2011 season.
Brown was subbing for Ahmad Bradshaw, out with a neck injury. Barden got his opportunity because Hakeem Nicks (foot) and Domenik Hixon (concussion) were not available.
The Giants completely dominated the first half, taking a 20-0 lead after two periods of play. The Giants outgained Carolina 263 yards to 122 in the first half.
New York scored the first four times it touched the ball. New York opened the game with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a 14-yard pass from Manning to Martellus Bennett for a touchdown. A 47-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal on the Giants' second possession stretched the lead to 10-0.
On their third possession the Giants drove 72 yards in nine plays, with Brown scoring on a 1-yard run to make the score 17-0. The Giants' fourth possession was an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 49-yard field goal by Tynes for a 20-0 lead.
Carolina's Joe Adams fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and Spencer Paysinger of the Giants recovered at the Panthers' 19-yard line. That led to an 18-yard Tynes field goal for a 23-0 lead.
Carolina got a 1-yard run from Cam Newton for a touchdown, but the Giants got a 36-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in the third quarter gave the Giants a 26-7 lead after three quarters.
The Giants ended any doubt with an eight-play, 48-yard drive in the fourth quarter that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Brown to make the score 33-7 with 9:42 to play.
Tynes added a 27-yard field goal with 1:09 to play to make the score 36-7.