The Broncos have the best defense that the Giants face all season.
John Schmeelk: Fact – According to Sumer Sports, the Broncos’ defense leads the NFL in EPA allowed per play and success rate. They lag slightly behind in defensive DVOA, with the only other team on the Giants’ schedule ahead of them being the Green Bay Packers. But given the Broncos’ league-leading 30 sacks, a Defensive Player of the Year in the secondary in Patrick Surtain II, and a league-low 5.3 percent explosive play rate, I would rank them ahead of the Packers this season. This will be Jaxson Dart’s biggest test of the season on Sunday.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Situational football is the hallmark of great defenses, and no one is doing that better than Denver. As Brian Daboll said, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is “really coaching incredible football right now.” He also has great players to put in the right positions to make plays. Add in a tough road environment mixed with the altitude, and Sunday will be a tall task for the Giants. Center John Michael Schmitz being ruled out only complicates matters.
Matt Citak: Fact – Take your pick from all of the impressive stats. The unit ranks second in the league in both points and yards allowed, first in net yards allowed per pass attempt, and first in rushing touchdowns allowed, just to name a few. Even more impressive are Denver’s stats in key situations, as the Broncos rank first in the NFL in third down defense, fourth down defense and red zone defense. The Broncos are elite against both the pass and run. It doesn’t matter what way you look at it, Sunday is going to be a tough challenge for the Giants’ offense.
RB Cam Skattebo will score a touchdown again on Sunday.
John Schmeelk: Fact – Sure, why not? It’s difficult to predict touchdowns in any given week, but given how much Cam Skattebo has been used in the red zone since his emergence as the team’s primary back, this is a decent guess. The Giants’ red zone offense has gotten significantly better as Skattebo and Dart have grown in their roles. Running the ball well is key to a good red zone offense, and both those young players have impacted the game in that area.
Dan Salomone: Fact – But it won’t be rushing. All five of his touchdowns so far have been on the ground, but he is also a weapon catching the ball. Don’t forget he has been known to throw a pass or two.
Matt Citak: Fiction – As mentioned above, the Broncos are tied with three other teams for the fewest rushing touchdowns allowed this season with two. If the Giants get the ball close to the goal line, chances are Skattebo is going to get an opportunity to punch it in. But with Denver also having the No. 1 red zone defense, the Giants might have to get creative near the end zone, maybe with something like a jet sweep to Wan’Dale Robinson or a play-action bootleg with Jaxson Dart. The Broncos are talented up front, and after Skattebo’s big outing against the Eagles, Denver’s defensive line will likely key in on the rookie back.