Broncos’ attack offers test for Giants

East Rutherford, N. J. — Mathias Kiwanuka, a defensive end, called it “interesting.” Mark Herzlich, a linebacker, found it “impressive.” Ryan Mundy, a safety, chose the word “alarming.”

All three New York Giants were describing what it was like to watch Peyton Manning throw for an NFL-recordtying seven touchdowns in Denver’s season-opening, 49-27 dismantling of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens, last week.

The focus will be on the quarterbacks when Manning faces his younger brother, Eli, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, but the Giants view the Manning Bowl more as an opportunity for their defense to shine against a prolific visitor, the Denver Broncos. Returning players are still burning from the Giants defense’s performance last season, when they ranked 31st among 32 teams in total yards allowed.

“This game is not so much about Peyton,” Antrel Rolle, a veteran safety, said Thursday. “It’s about us as a defense and how we go out there and how effective we are as a unit.”

Terrell Thomas, a cornerback who has overcome knee injuries that sidelined him for the past two seasons, echoed that sentiment.

“This is a big challenge,” Thomas said, “and a good statement to make as a team.”

Still, as is said throughout the league, the film does not lie. Manning became the sixth NFL quarterback to throw for seven scores in a game and the first since Joe Kapp of the Minnesota Vikings did it against the Baltimore Colts on Sept. 28, 1969.

If the Giants are to avoid an 0-2 start and cool Manning — he threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns in the second half against the Ravens — game film must serve as a tutorial on what not to do, Kiwanuka said.

“You’ve got to make sure you are studying and understanding what the formations are and what he’s seeing in the defense,” he said.

The Broncos’ off-season addition of Wes Welker, a quick and elusive slot receiver, makes Manning all the more dangerous in his second season with Denver. Welker, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas each pulled in two scoring passes against the Ravens. Andre Caldwell, another wide receiver in the multifaceted attack, also had a touchdown.

One important matchup will be Thomas against Welker. Thomas promised to be physical with him at the line of scrimmage.

“If I can get my hands on him and slow his release, I definitely want to do that,” he said.

Still, if the Giants are to succeed on defense, it must start upfront, they believe. “Pressure is the main ingredient against any quarterback,” Mundy, the safety, said. “Any time we get hits on the quarterback, it definitely makes our job easier.”

As difficult as it is to confuse Manning, the Giants will show him multiple defensive looks. What he sees as he settles under center and goes through his presnap gyrations will not necessarily be the alignment he confronts once the ball is in play.

Manning, 37, needs 51 yards to join Brett Favre and Dan Marino as the only NFL players to throw for 60,000. As a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he defeated the Giants in the first two editions of the Manning Bowl, prevailing on the road, 26-21, in 2006 and at home, 38-14, in 2010.

Perry Fewell, the Giants’ defensive coordinator, served in that capacity for the second matchup. He said his game plan then was to put a huge effort into containing the pass. That failed because Manning relied on the running game until it created other opportunities.

Fewell promised to try something else this time.