Does Giants’ Brian Burns Care for Revenge Game vs. Panthers?

Brian Burns, the star edge rusher for the New York Giants, has been a hot topic leading up to their Week 8 matchup against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. Burns, who was drafted by the Panthers in 2019, has been a dominant force on the Giants’ defense, leading the team in sacks with seven. His impressive performance, including a sack of quarterback Sam Darnold, was seen as a sign of a desire for revenge against the team that traded him away. The Panthers, on the other hand, are currently in last place in the NFC South with a record of 2-5, struggling both offensively and defensively.

While Burns has publicly maintained that he holds no animosity towards the Panthers and only wants to focus on his new team’s success, many fans are looking at this game as a “revenge game” for him. They see the potential for Burns to dominate his former teammates, adding fuel to the flames of the supposed rivalry. However, the truth of the matter is that the Panthers drafted a young and talented pass rusher in the form of Bryce Young in this year’s NFL draft. Young, who had a successful collegiate career at Alabama, has already shown promise as a rookie with three sacks of his own.

So, does Burns care for the “revenge game?” Ultimately, it’s hard to say for sure. The most likely answer is that he’s simply focused on playing his best football for the Giants. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a desire to succeed, or even to beat his former team. After all, who wouldn’t want to get a sack against the quarterback you used to play with? But the emphasis on “revenge” seems misplaced. Burns, a professional, will undoubtedly approach the game like any other, aiming for the best result for his team. This could be a motivating factor to ensure a strong performance. However, with the Giants and Burns seeking to get back on the winning track after a recent setback, expect his focus to remain solely on the Giants, even if he cannot escape a feeling of animosity toward a team he once considered home.

What remains clear is the Panthers need a big game from their young quarterback and the new addition, Bryce Young, in order to try to make up for Burns’ production. With both teams facing a steep uphill climb, it’s possible that Burns, fueled by whatever motivations drive him, can lead the Giants to a key victory over the Panthers. This matchup could also be seen as a potential opportunity for Bryce Young to try and stake his claim as the Panthers new cornerstone at quarterback. Regardless of how the game turns out, the potential for Burns to dominate against his former team remains intriguing.