Abdul Carter says the Giants’ defense is hitting its rhythm, driven by Dexter Lawrence drawing constant double teams that free him to disrupt plays. Carter credits veteran Brian Burns and the overall front for setting the tone, insisting the unit must stay disciplined and relentless after their first win. The focus shifts to a tough test vs. New Orleans, with the defense aiming to translate pressure into sustained success and playoff-like urgency.

The message from the locker room is clear: this is a standard, not a moment. Carter highlights week-to-week improvement, the Oregon rivalry nod as motivation, and the need to keep correcting "the little things" while chasing a formidable, consistent run-stopping and pass-rushing identity against the Saints.

Carolina’s 42-13 loss to New England exposes a beleaguered offense and a shaky head coach in Canales, sending the Panthers tumbling in the early power rankings. Fantasy takeaway: Bryce Young struggles without a reliable ground game, making the offense volatile and risky. The plan for managers is to lean on established playmakers like Adam Thielen and Christian McCaffrey when the offense finds rhythm, while Burns and Clowney can still provide defensive pop. Next up is a home game vs. Miami, a potential rebound spot if Carolina stabilizes its attack.

Twenty pressures. Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns wreaked havoc on Justin Herbert, with Carter compiling eight pressures and the veterans six apiece, powering a Giants pass rush that anchored a 21-18 win at MetLife.

Two Herbert turnovers—a first‑half Lawrence tip for an INT and a third‑quarter pick by Andru Phillips—punctuated a defensive harbinger that created a 10‑point margin from those miscues. The defense closed out the fourth quarter scoreless and the Giants fed off the energy, leveraging a reshuffled line and relentless pressure to finish strong.