Skip to main content
New York Giants homepage
Advertising

Giants News | New York Giants – Giants.com

10 things to watch for vs. Broncos

eli-center-101317.jpg

Ten storylines to follow as the Giants get set for Sunday Night Football:

1. ONLY ONE WAY TO FIX THE MOOD


NEWS
> The McAdoo Report: Exclusive Interview
> Fact or Fiction: Predictions for Denver
> 5 players to watch vs. Broncos
PHOTOS
> Know your opponent: Broncos Playmakers
VIDEOS
> The Extra Point: NYG-DEN debate


Not even an Eagles fan could have dreamed that the Giants would be 0-5 to start the season, but such is life in the NFL. The Giants held multiple fourth-quarter leads in their past three outings, including two that were lost on last-second field goals. Now, Big Blue looks to break into the win column on Sunday night at Mile High against the 3-1 Denver Broncos.

**>> FACT OR FICTION: WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS**
"Hey, the only way to fix the mood is to get a win," quarterback Eli Manning said. "Nothing else is going to change it."

2. GIANTS DOWN 4 WR'S

One by one, the Giants had a line forming at the MRI machine following an unthinkable string of injuries that hit the receiving corps last week. As a result, Odell Beckham, Jr. (ankle), Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Dwayne Harris (foot) underwent surgery and are done for the season.

Sterling Shepard, meanwhile, also injured his ankle and will not play against Denver. The Giants re-stocked the depth chart this week by bringing back Tavarres King and promoting Travis Rudolph and Ed Eagan off the practice squad.

3. GIANTS INJURY REPORT

Out: LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), DE Romeo Okwara (knee), RB Paul Perkins (ribs), C Weston Richburg (concussion), WR Sterling Shepard (ankle), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle)
Questionable: S Landon Collins (ankle)

4. BRONCOS INJURY REPORT

Out: QB Paxton Lynch (right shoulder), WR Cody Latimer (knee)

5. DRC SUSPENDED; DEAYON CALLED UP

The team has suspended cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie indefinitely for a "violation of team rules." According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, an indefinite suspension can last from one to four weeks. The Giants promoted cornerback Donte Deayon off their practice squad to fill the roster opening. Deayon just missed out on making the 53-man roster this summer after an impressive preseason, which included a 36-yard interception return touchdown against the Jets.

6. ROGER THAT

With 18 games played over two seasons, Roger Lewis is now the most experienced player in the wide receiver room. He has 15 career catches, three of which were touchdowns, including a 29-yarder last week. Meanwhile, King, Rudolph and Eagan had been around the team prior to being added to the active roster. Giants fans will remember King's 44-yard reception that led to a Giants' victory last year in Week 17 against the Redskins. He went on to lead the team with 73 yards and a touchdown on three catches in the Wild Card game at Lambeau Field. "Just give us the best version of yourself," coach Ben McAdoo said of his message to the unit.

7. ENGRAM SPLIT OUT WIDE?

The Giants had more tight ends than wide receivers in the huddle for the potential game-winning final drive last week. Rookie Evan Engram, the Giants' first-round pick, was split out wide during the series, something he has the skillset to do from time to time. Whether or not he continues to spend more time out wide, Engram is likely to be featured more. "We have packages where I'm split out wide and we have certain plays and I'm kind of familiar with the offense enough to know what's going on up there," Engram said. "So, it wasn't that much of a difficult adjustment. … I felt comfortable out there."

8. RUDOLPH, EAGAN TO HANDLE RETURNS

Before his injury against the Chargers last week, Harris was having his best game of the season as a returner, notching a 17-yarder on a punt as well as a 30-yarder on a kickoff. Just like at wide receiver, the Giants will turn to Eagan and Rudolph to bolster the return duties. In the preseason, Eagan returned four kicks for 90 yards (22.5 avg.) with a long of 27 yards, and returned three punts for 27 yards (9.0) with a long of 18 yards. Rudolph averaged 22.0 and 2.7 yards on kicks and punts, respectively.  

Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Broncos on Sunday

9. MILLER TIME

Less than two years removed from being named MVP of Super Bowl 50, Broncos pass rusher Von Miller has four sacks in four games this season to lead the NFL with 77.5 since he was drafted second overall in 2011 (Houston's J.J. Watt is second during that span with 76.0). Meanwhile, the Broncos lead the NFL with 279 sacks as a team since 2011 and enter Week 6 with the No. 1 defense in both total yards (260.8 allowed per game) and rushing (50.8).

10. NO FLY ZONE

The Broncos' pass rush works hand-in-hand with one of the best secondaries in the NFL, nicknamed the No Fly Zone. Aqib Talib, a four-time Pro Bowler, is fourth among active players with 34 career interceptions. Fellow cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2016, and safety Darian Stewart is coming off his first nod. He is partnered with Justin Simmons at safety, while Bradley Roby mans the slot.

A look at the playmakers of the Giants' upcoming opponent

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
Advertising