EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Jim Fassel's farewell will come against his old defensive coordinator.
Fassel's seven-year reign as coach of the New York Giants will end on Sunday with a home game against the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers.
It didn't take Fox long to turn the Panthers into a Super Bowl contender. Fassel's defensive coordinator in New York from 1997-2001, Fox needed just two years to win a division title with the Panthers.
Carolina clinched the NFC South two weeks ago but has no chance to earn a first-round bye. The Panthers will host a game on wild card weekend January 3-4.
With no opportunity to improve their seeding, Fox may opt to rest some starters this weekend. Last week, he rested five who were nursing injuries - Pro Bowl running back Stephen Davis, defensive end Mike Rucker, defensive tackle Brentson Buckner, center Jeff Mitchell and cornerback Terry Cousin.
Despite their absence, the Panthers posted a 20-14 victory over the Detroit Lions. Jake Delhomme completed 29-of-35 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Delhomme could have a field day against the Giants, who are starting Frank Walker and Ike Charlton at the cornerback spots due to injuries to starters Will Allen and William Peterson.
The end has not been pretty for Fassel. The Giants have lost seven straight, their worst losing streak since 1994. They have been outscored, 182-54, during their skid.
"My teammates and I want to send him (Fassel) out with a win because I think he deserves it," said Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton. "But unfortunately for us we've been coming up short all year."
Fassel led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in 2000 and three playoff appearances. He has an overall record of 58-52-1.
With starting quarterback Kerry Collins sidelined with a sprained left ankle, the Giants have scored just 10 points with backup Jesse Palmer in back-to-back losses at New Orleans and Dallas. Palmer has been sacked a total of 13 times in those contests.
Despite the Giants' downfall, Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan has stood tall. He had three sacks in last week's 19-3 loss at Dallas, raising his season total to 17.
The Panthers won the only previous meeting between the teams, 27-17 at Carolina in November 1996.
