Undefeated Panthers vow not to overlook Giants

Referee consultation change added for playoffs

NEW YORK, Dec 17, (Agencies): On paper, the New York Giants look to be overmatched in Sunday’s pivotal game against the unbeaten Carolina Panthers, but the rival National Football League coaches do not see it that way.

The Giants are fresh off a thrilling win that snapped a three-game skid and revived their playoff hopes and are now looking to use that momentum to upset the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team.

“It’s an exciting time for us. We are in the hunt here in the NFC East,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday.

“This is a very, very good football team, an undefeated football team. We are excited to host them this weekend.”

The Giants (6-7) are tied with Washington and we’re not going to change how we do it.”

Coughlin noted that Carolina rate third overall on defense and sacks, are an NFLbest plus-18 in turnover margin, second in rushing and first in scoring at 31.6 points per game.

This should stimulate the New Yorkers, said Coughlin, whose team often play their best against top-flight opponents.

“It’s obviously the excitement about being involved in a game against a team of this ability and the natural competitive instincts that I would hope everyone at this level has,” he said.

Rivera said there would be no let-up from the Panthers, still in pursuit of homefield advantage through the playoffs. “We need the win,” he said. Meanwhile, hit by several officiating errors this season, the National Football League said Wednesday it will alter its review procedures for the upcoming playoffs to allow greater communication during replay consultations.

Referees would have greater input from NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino in New York under the change, which was approved by commissioner Roger Goodell and sent to every league club Wednesday. Blandino would help apply “the correct application of rules in specific situations not currently covered by the instant replay rule.”

Referees can consult with Blandino or a designee at league headquarters to assess penalty yardage, administration of the game clock, the correct down or any other administrative matter not currently reviewable.

But that does not include the ability to call or change a foul or make on-field calls that are not part of instant replay.

“The committee feels strongly that giving the referee and Dean the ability to consult with each other in certain situations beyond instant replay will further support officiating in the playoffs,” NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay said. “The officials do a very difficult job exceedingly well and we think this adjustment in the playoffs will make them even better.”

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons’ Jonathan Babineaux (95) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina,

on Dec 13. (AP)