Broncos at Giants
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox
Tipico line: Broncos by 2 1⁄2 Giants’ keys to victory: The Giants will see the injury return of RB Saquon Barkley, but he may not give the offense the lift it needs. Rather, the Giants must protect QB Daniel Jones and prevent LB Von Miller from taking over the game. OTs Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart have to play better than they have at any other point in their careers. Defensively, coordinator Patrick Graham will have to scheme pressure and find a way to prevent TE Noah Fant from eating up chunks of yards over the middle of the field. LB Blake Martinez has improved in coverage but is a liability against big, athletic tight ends.
Broncos’ keys to victory: The Giants face familiar problems. Getting pressure on QB Daniel Jones will not only lead to turnovers, but will force Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to become conservative and predictable. Meanwhile, QB Teddy Bridgewater just needs to avoid trouble while allowing RB Melvin Gordon and RB Javonte Williams to pound the interior of the Giants’ defensive line, which was a weakness throughout the preseason in the absence of DT Dalvin Tomlinson, now with Minnesota.
Matchup to watch: Broncos front seven vs. Giants OL. The Giants will live and die by a young and inexperienced offensive line that lacks depth. They will instantly run into one of the best pressure defenses in the NFL.
Who wins? The Giants’ offensive line is suspect, its offense is ravaged by injuries, there are questions at cornerback and play-calling has been iffy.
Broncos, 26-16