Matchup Notes
--Carolina returns to action after the bye week with the team's third home game in the first four games. The Panthers have won the game after a bye in each of the last three seasons. Carolina's Week 4 bye is the earliest bye for the team since 2013, a year in which the Panthers went 1-2 before the bye and 11-2 after it.
--The Panthers are 6-4 against the Giants all-time with a 2-2 mark at home. The teams only played twice between 1995 and 2005, but Sunday marks the ninth meeting since Carolina's playoff win in January 2006.
--Carolina enters the game ranked first in the NFL in rushing at 166.0 yards on the ground per game. It marks the sixth week since 2011 under head coach Ron Rivera that the Panthers ranked first in the NFL in rushing. The Panthers have finished in the top 10 in rushing in all but one season (2013) under Rivera.
--The Giants defense ranks ninth in the NFL against the pass (228.8 yards/game), however they have only tallied five sacks which ties for last in the league.
--Christian McCaffrey ranks second in the NFL with 90.3 rushing yards per game, and is also second with 142.7 yards from scrimmage per game. His 428 scrimmage yards are the second-most by any Panther (Stephen Davis - 455, 2003) over the first three games of a season.
--In three career games against the Giants, Cam Newton has averaged 268.3 pass yards with eight passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. He has also averaged 50.3 rushing yards in those three games.
Upcoming Milestones
Panthers players have a number of career milestones that could be in reach for Sunday's game:
--Cam Newton needs 27 rushing yards to pass Randall Cunningham (4,482) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback with a single team. Newton is currently third all-time in rushing by a quarterback behind Cunningham and Michael Vick.
--Newton needs five total touchdowns to pass Brett Favre (224) for third all-time through the first eight seasons of a career.
--Newton needs 10 rushing first downs to pass Michael Vick (343) for most rushing first downs by a quarterback in NFL history.
--Newton needs two rushing touchdowns to pass Jonathan Stewart for second in total touchdowns in franchise history.
--Christian McCaffrey needs one reception to pass Anthony Johnson for sixth-most receptions by a Panthers running back all-time.
--Julius Peppers needs one game played to tie Charles Woodson (254) for seventh-most career games by a defensive player in NFL history.
Connections
--Giants general manager Dave Gettleman was general manager for the Panthers from 2013-17. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Shula was with the Panthers from 2011-17, and Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was with the Panthers from 2016-17. Giants offensive line coach Hal Hunter was the offensive line coach at North Carolina from 2002-05 and also worked in pro personnel for the Panthers. Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert worked as the Panthers wide receivers coach in 2010.
--Giants director of player personnel Mark Koncz worked for the Panthers from 1994-2017, while Giants equipment manager Jackie Miles worked with the Panthers from 1994-2017.
--Panthers running game coordinator John Matsko coached with the Giants from 1997-98. Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper coached with the Giants from 1997-2000.
--Panthers special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn played for the Giants from 2005-12.
--Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and Giants head coach Pat Shurmur coached together with Philadelphia from 1999-2003. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner coached with Shurmur in Minnesota in 2016.
--Giants tight end Scott Simonson played for the Panthers from 2015-17 and Giants wide receiver Russell Shepard played for the Panthers in 2017. On the Giants injured reserve list is former Panther Jonathan Stewart, Carolina's all-time rushing leader (2008-17).
--A number of Panthers are from areas in New York and New Jersey, including Curtis Samuel (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Greg Olsen (Wayne, N.J.), Mike Adams (Wayne, N.J.), Damiere Byrd (Sicklerville, N.J.), Brendan Mahon (Randolph, N.J.), Greg Van Roten (Mineola, N.Y.) and Chris Manhertz (Bronx, N.Y.). Manhertz played basketball at Canisius.
--Giants area and collegiate connections include B.J. Goodson (Clemson/Lamar S.C.), Kareem Martin (North Carolina/Roanoke Rapids, N.C.), Antonio Hamilton (South Carolina State/Johnson, S.C.), B.J. Hill (N.C. State/Oakboro, N.C.) and Wayne Gallman (Clemson).
--Panthers guard Trai Turner and safety Eric Reid played with Giants wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Russell Shepard at LSU. Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson went to LSU after them.
--Panthers cornerback Corn Elder played with Giants tackle Ereck Flowers and wide receiver Stacy Coley at Miami (Fla.).
--Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel and Giants cornerback Eli Apple played together at Ohio State.
Take a look at some pictures from past matchups between the Panthers and Giants. Carolina leads the all-time series 7-5.
Julius Peppers makes a tackle during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) dives over New York Giants safety James Butler during the Panthers fourth quarter scoring drive in their 34-28 overtime loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
James Bradberry defends Odell Beckham, Jr., during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore throws a pass as he is rushed by New York Giants' Justin Tuck (91) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New York Giants on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Cam Newton leaps in the air as he rushes the ball during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles to avoid being tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) in the second quarter of their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) heads for the end zone leaving Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) in his wake in the second quarter during their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. The touchdown was reversed on a challenge by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
New York Giants' Tiki Barber (21) runs past Carolina Panthers' Na'il Diggs (53) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New York Giants running back Derrick Ward runs for a 51-yard gain while chased by Carolina Panthers, from left, Chris Harris, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs and Jon Beason (52) in overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 34-28. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
The New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers face off at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Colin Jones eyes a loose ball on a fumbled kick return during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' Drew Carter (18) catches a touchdown pass as New York Giants' Kevin Dockery (35) defends during the second quarter in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers safety Marlon McCree reacts after intercepting a pass in the third quarter against the New York Giants during NFL football action Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Panthers won 23-0. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is stopped for a loss by Carolina Panthers' Michael Rucker, left, Will Witherspoon, center, and Julius Peppers during the first quarter in NFL football action Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. Barber was held to 41 yards rushing on 13 carries for the game. The Panthers won 23-0. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, left, runs past New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (87) celebrate Williams' fourth quarter 30-yard touchdown run during their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Pathers DeShaun Foster spins away from New York Giants defenders Nick Greisen, left, Osi Umenyiora (72) and Will Allen during the first quarter in NFL football action Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 in East Rutherford, N.J. Foster rushed for 151 yards in the Panthers' 23-0 win. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer is grabbed by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers during the second quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Donte Jackson breaks up a pass intended for Russell Shepherd during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
DJ Moore carries the football as he breaks away from a tackle during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Michael Palardy and Graham Gano celebrate Gano's game-winning 63-yard field goal during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
