Season opener
Teams were 5-11 and 6-10 in 2020, expecting better results in 2021
New York Giants kick off their season Sunday afternoon against the Denver Broncos at Met Life Stadium./
Coming off bad seasons, the Denver Broncos and New York Giants used free agency and the draft to put themselves in position to end playoff droughts.
Despite a 5-11 record in 2020, expectations were high for the Broncos to end a run of four straight losing seasons and get back to playoffs for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
The enthusiasm in Denver isn’t tempered this year, either.
Giants fans are excited after a 6-10 record in Joe Judge’s first season as coach.
The free-agent additions of receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerback
Adoree Jackson, the drafting of speedy wide out Kadarius Toney and the expected return of star running back Saquon Barkley from knee surgery seemed to have New York ready for its first postseason since 2016.
Heading into Sunday’s opener at MetLife Stadium, the Broncos are still riding high after a perfect preseason. Hopes for the Giants are not so bright. New York played poorly in not winning in the preseason. Golladay, Jackson, Toney and Barkley all did not play because of injuries. The aftermath is those high hopes have faded a bit.
Of course, it all could change Sunday in a game in which Denver is a 1-point road favorite.
Giants veterans are ignoring the preseason. The starters played roughly two quarters out of 12.
“The sky’s the limit for us,” safety Jabrill Peppers. “We’re not thinking about last year, it’s
a whole new year for us. We know the type of defense we can be, it’s just all about running out there and putting in the necessary work.”
The Broncos looked a lot better. They have a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. The strong running attack is led by Melvin Gordon III, and the dynamic receiving corps features Jerry Jeudy, tight end Noah Fant and several other threats.
The Broncos’ defense is
linebacker dominated, led by Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed.
The Giants lost nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to free agency in the offseason.
New York did not do a good job in the preseason games and Tomlinson’s replacement, Danny Shelton, has been bothered by a recent neck injury.
“I think we have all the right guys,” inside linebacker Blake Martinez said. “It comes down to understanding your assignment, knowing where the running back is and reading the offensive line, and then making the play.”
The Giants were ranked 12th in the league on defense last season, ninth in scoring defense.
Watch the Giants’ offensive line. The right side is new with Will Hernandez taking over at guard and Nate Solder and Matt Peart probably splitting time at tackle.
The group struggled last season and was horrible in the final preseason start against the Patriots, particularly left tackle Andrew Thomas.