Panthers stave off Giants comeback with 20-17 overtime victory in Germany: Key takeaways

By Joe Person, Charlotte Carroll and Lauren Merola

The Carolina Panthers held off the New York Giants in a 20-17 overtime victory Sunday at Allianz Arena in Munich.

On the first snap of overtime, Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. fumbled the football away at the Giants’ 24-yard line, putting the Panthers in prime position to win their second straight game after a previous five-game losing skid. Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro then finished off the Giants with a 36-yard field goal.

With seconds remaining in regulation, Giants kicker Graham Gano — in his first game back since a Week 2 injury landed him on injured reserve — hit a 42-yard field goal to force overtime after missing a 43-yard kick in the first half.

After a quiet first half in which the Panthers held the Giants scoreless, madness broke out in the final frame. Down 17-14, the Giants had a chance to take the lead with six minutes remaining, but a misfire by quarterback Daniel Jones on a pass meant for Tracy led to a Josey Jewell interception. It was emblematic of the day New York’s offense, and Carolina’s defense, had.

It was the second time this season the Giants were shut out in the first half, the first being against Cincinnati in Week 6. Since coach Brian Daboll’s arrival in 2022, the Giants have been shut out in the first half eight times.

With the win in the 2024 International Series finale, the Panthers improve to 3-7 while the Giants drop to 2-8.

PANTHERS WIN IN OT.

WHAT A GAME IN MUNICH. pic.twitter.com/pzVgBH7cKE

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Panthers blow it, then win it

The Panthers led by 10 points at two points in the second half, but coughed up the lead as Jones went 8-for-11 on a game-tying field goal drive to send the game to overtime. But then it was Tracy who coughed up the ball on the Giants’ first offensive play of OT.

A’Shawn Robinson caused the fumble and Jewell recovered for his second takeaway of the second half. Three plays later, Pineiro drilled a game-winning, 36-yard field goal to send the Panthers to their second win in as many weeks.

Carolina is 2-0 in international games and will have some good vibes for its flight home — and bye week before the Kansas City Chiefs come to Charlotte. — Joe Person, Panthers beat writer

A crazy quarter

Things got crazy in the fourth quarter with back-to-back drives with turnovers — one from each side.

First up, Giants rookie Dru Phillips forced a Chuba Hubbard fumble. That change of possession came at an ideal time for the Giants after Jones led the offense on a 96-yard scoring drive. Then in another wild turn of events, Jones’ pass to Tracy was intercepted four plays later. But the Giants defense got the ball back after forcing a quick three-and-out. An offensive offside penalty from Wan’Dale Robinson set back the drive and the Giants opted to punt from fourth-and-9 from their 40-yard line. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

Chuba Hubbard’s big day … and week

The Panthers’ decision-makers didn’t need any reassurance they’d made the right decision in paying Hubbard. But they got one anyway.

Hubbard, who signed a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension before the team left Charlotte, rushed for a career-high 153 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries to cap a life-changing week for the fourth-year running back from Oklahoma State.

Hubbard lost a fumble in the fourth quarter deep in Panthers’ territory for his only hiccup during a superb day. But the Panthers’ defense bailed him out when Jewell intercepted Jones to keep the Giants from scoring. — Person

Could Jones get benched?

Jones played an inconsistent and ugly game at times. Going into halftime, it felt like Daboll could conceivably bench Jones.

The door was opened a few weeks after the quarterback was benched in a 28-3 loss to Philadelphia. But Daboll stuck with Jones the rest of the game, and Jones delivered more of the same: Some very poor throws but also some darts in crunch time. — Carroll

Required reading

(Photo: Adam Pretty / Getty Images)