PASSING OFFENSE

Eli Manning didn't throw for 500 yards this time but he still had an efficient and effective game. He opened with two passes and completed 27 of 35 overall. It felt like Manning could have passed for a lot more if he wanted to. The offensive line was terrific as Manning was barely touched until he was sacked late in the third quarter.

Ramses Barden was impressive in his first start for Hakeem Nicks with nine receptions for 138 yards on 10 targets. Martellus Bennett scored for the third straight game. One negative: the Giants settled for five field goals.

RUSHING OFFENSE

There's a reason why Jerry Reese thought Andre Brown could be like Derrick Ward but bigger. He rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 17 yards in his first career start.

For the second straight game, Brown provided a major spark to the running game. He picked up 71 yards after contact -- the most of any Giant since 2010 according to ESPN Stats and Info.

The offensive line, Bennett, Bear Pascoe and Henry Hynoski did a good job of opening holes. Rookie David Wilson only got one carry for minus-two.

PASSING DEFENSE

Cam Newton never got comfortable and the Giants hit him when they got a chance. He completed only 16 of 30 passes for 242 yards and was picked three times. He was sacked twice.

The explosive Steve Smith was held to four catches for 86 yards. Tight end Greg Olsen did have seven catches but the Giants reduced the big plays. Cornerbacks Corey Webster, Jayron Hosley and Prince Amukamara came up big for the thin secondary. And Michael Boley had a pick for the third straight game.

RUSHING DEFENSE

Perry Fewell's defense had some trouble at first with DeAngelo Williams. But overall, the Giants held Carolina to just 60 yards rushing on 20 carries, forcing the Panthers to pass.

Newton was held to only six yards on six carries but Superman did find the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown dive. Newton is certainly capable of inflicting a lot more damage. The Giants were locked in defensively.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lawrence Tynes was magnificent, drilling five field goals from 47, 49, 30, 36 and 27. A miss early on could have stymied the Giants' momentum, but instead he kept putting points on the board and digging a bigger hole for Carolina.

COACHING

The Giants were without Nicks, David Diehl, Ahmad Bradshaw and Domenik Hixon. They had just three days or so to prepare for Newton. The coaching staff did a superb job as the Giants absolutely dominated Carolina from the coin toss.

In the past two seasons, the Giants have played three road games with less than seven days' rest and they are 3-0 while outscoring opponents by 22 points according to ESPN Stats and Info.

That's a credit to Tom Coughlin and the coaching staff.