Big Blue View
The New York Giants dominated the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football and earned the extensive rest ahead of their matchup in Denver against the Broncos. The 2-4 Giants, who are 2-1 since rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart became starter, play the 4-2 Denver Broncos. The Giants are 7-point road underdogs and the Over/Under is set for a Week 7 low of 40.5-points.
The Giants offense scored 34 points against Vic Fangio’s Eagles’ defense, albeit the Eagles were without defensive lineman Jalen Carter and lost star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. However, it is difficult to ignore, or deny, the newfound energy of the Giants’ offense, led by Dart and rookie running back Cam Skattebo. Dart and the Giants offense will face one of the best defensive units in the NFL in Week 7.
Vance Joseph coordinates one of the most disciplined and physical defensive units in all of football. Through six games, the Broncos have allowed just 15.8 points per gam, which ranks second-best in the NFL (The Houston Texans are No. 1). They allow just 254.3 yards per game, which is also second-best in the NFL (Atlanta Falcons are No. 1).
The defense ranks third-best in passing yards allow, with opponents averaging 165.2 yards per game through the air. Jets’ quarterback Justin Fields threw for just 45 yards and took nine sacks in London vs. the Denver defense. The Broncos allow the sixth-least rushing yards in the league, with an average allowed of 89 rushing yards per game.
The Broncos have BY FAR the best red zone percentage in the league; Joseph’s group allows a red-zone touchdown on just 28.57% of trips — the next-closest team is the Los Angeles Chargers with a 42.86% red-zone touchdown rate. Denver allows the lowest offensive third-down percentage rate in the league, with a 27.16% number; the Minnesota Vikings are second-lowest at 30.16%.
The Denver defense has allowed just four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns on the season. Denver does only have one interception on the season (Brandon Jones in Week 3 against the Chargers). The Broncos lead the league in sacks with 30; the next-closest team is the Pittsburgh Steelers with 20.
The Broncos’ defense is not to be trifled with. They lead the league with a 33.8% pressure rate, with just a 28.1% blitz rate — Joseph will dial up simulated pressure and full on blitzes; I especially expect that type of approach against a rookie quarterback. Joseph does not have to typically rely on the blitz, though, for his four-man pass rush is of high quality.
Nik Bonitto has 29 pressures on the season to reward the Broncos for his big contract. Bonitto is more of a pass-rushing specialist than a full-time player, albeit he’s not inept as a run defender. Jonathan Cooper has 27 pressures from the other edge spot and star defensive tackle, Zach Allen has 24 pressures on the season.
Bonitto leads the league with 8.0 sacks, and has with seven tackles for a loss....
