Among the late games on the first Sunday of the NFL season is the nonconference clash between the Denver Broncos and the New York Football Giants. Check out our breakdown and free NFL picks.
This matchup features two clubs and their fan bases who will not settle for another below .500 season. This places both head coaches, Vic Fangio (3rd year) and Joe Judge (2nd year) if not on the hot seat, their backsides just above and feeling the heat.
Denver made a quarterback change, which they hope propels them in the playoffs. New York needs to have their former No. 1 draft choice start playing to his spot in the said draft and not what most others thought Daniel Jones was, a third-rounder at best.
Sunday, September 12, 2021 – 04:25 PM EDT at MetLife Stadium
The Top online sportsbooks like Heritage Sports have the Broncos as a three-point road favorite. The NFL betting odds have not budged on this one.
Teddy Bridgewater won the quarterback battle over Drew Luck, but that doesn’t mean anything unless this potentially potent offense reaches expectations.
Bridgewater is working behind an upper-echelon offensive line that can both run and pass block. Bridgewater had a good collection of running backs to hand the ball off to or throw the pigskin to in starter Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone via free agency, and drafting Javonte Williams.
What had the locals fired up is the receivers and why Aaron Rodgers name was brought up when his divorce from Green Bay seemed imminent. 2020 draft picks Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, as well as Tim Patrick, showed anybody throwing the ball will have quality options. The return of Courtland Sutton only adds another element and we know Teddy B. will get the ball to his talented tight end Noah Font.
The injury bug played havoc with Fangio’s plans last year. Having Von Miller and Bradley Chubb makes the whole defensive group stronger. The presumption is the defense will be far better than T-20 for total defense and the team won’t finish dead last against in turnover margin (-16) like last year.
In the 27 games Daniel Jones has played for the Giants, he’s thrown 22 interceptions, had 20 fumbles and been sacked 83 times. When many said the Duke QB was a reach for the first round, the numbers prove that to be true.
That still does not change Jones is Big Blue’s guy and that he needs help. The return of Saquon Barkley cannot be understated. Jones does not appear a franchise difference-maker, however, if surrounded by more talent, he could become an above-average signal-caller. New York’s top decision-makers have added Kyle Rudolph, Kenny Golladay, and rookie first-round pick Kadarius Toney. Because of injury, Jones has not gotten in the necessary work with the group, but added potential exists.
Unfortunately, the offensive line news has a familiar ring with everything still not settled.
The strength of the defense is the secondary which should help against a club like Denver. Linebacker Blake Martinez is a tackling machine, now with five straight years of 100+ tackles. Nonetheless, his impact on the game is not always noticeable.
The G-Men stop troops were 12th in total defense and tied for 12th in sacks and which kept New York in games.
For NFL picks, it is very tempting to take a home underdog in a spot like this. But here is the thing, New York’s offensive line seems in disarray and Denver’s defense has the cast to exploit them.
Next, let’s add in Jones’ turnover problem compared to Bridgewater, who is typically too conservative, yet protects the ball well generally speaking.
The Broncos have an offense with more playmakers and they are 34-19-1 ATS the first two weeks of the season going back years. The Giants could cover the three points without winning, but they have opened the season once with a victory (2016) for the last eight years.
NFL Pick: Broncos -3 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Herigate Sports Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.