Giants 2017 Schedule Preview: Denver Broncos

The New York Giants will face the Denver Broncos in a Week 6 Sunday Night Football at Sports Authority Field in Denver. Let’s take a brief look at the Broncos as we continue profiling the teams the Giants will face during the 2017 NFL season.

Broncos In 2016

Record: 9-7
AFC West: 3rd
Offense: 22nd in points scored
Defense: 4th in points allowed

Roster Moves

Key Additions

OG Ronald Leary, OT Menelik Watson, NT Domata Peko, DE Zach Kerr, LB Kasim Edebali, RB Jamaal Charles,

Key Losses

OT Russell Okung, DT Sylvester Williams, OLB DeMarcus Ware

2017 NFL Draft Class

• Round 1 (No. 20) — Garret Bolles, OT
• Round 2 (No. 51) — DeMarcus Walker, DE
• Round 3 (No. 82) — Carlos Henderson, WR
• Round 3 (No. 101) — Brendan Langley, CB
• Round 5 (No. 145) — Jake Butt, TE
• Round 6 (No. 203) — De’Angelo Henderson, RB
• Round 7 (No. 253) — Chad Kelly, QB

Three Questions About The Broncos

Tim Lynch of SB Nation’s Mile High Report graciously answered my questions about the Broncos.

Ed: What is your favorite thing that the Broncos accomplished this offseason?

Tim: They focused heavily on the offensive and defensive lines, which is where they experienced a great deal of issues last season.

Ed: What is the one thing they did not accomplish, or that happened to them, that has you the most concerned?

Tim: Left tackle. Sure they drafted Garett Bolles, but will the rookie be good enough this year to get the job done? If not, Donald Stephenson amd Ty Sambrailo were turnstiles last year at the position and are the Broncos only other options at left tackle.

Ed: Are you optimistic that this will be a good season for the Broncos or pessimistic that a down year might be coming? And, how would you define a good/bad season?

Tim: It all depends on the quarterback, really. If the eventual starter is only marginally better than last year, this team will find a way to finish around .500. The defense is still going to be very good, but that won't be enough. They need the offense to score points.

Final Thoughts

The Broncos won the 2015 Super Bowl with Von Miller and a dominant defense leading the way. Well, the Broncos still have Miller and a dominant defense. How the Giants deal with Miller will go a long way toward determining whether or not this is a game they can win.

As Lynch mentioned above, it is really progress as the quarterback position that will determine the fate of the Broncos in 2017. Will either Paxton Lynch or Trevor Siemian step up and be the answer the Broncos need to make another Super Bowl run? The Giants’ defense will pose a stern test for whichever guy is calling signals.

An interesting match-up to watch will be All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib against star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Also, keep an eye of offensive tackle Garret Bolles. Many expected the Giants to select Bolles had he been available at No. 23, but the Broncos took him at 20. It will be interesting to see what the Giants missed out on.