The Denver Broncos were back to winning the coin tosses to start the game. They elected to defer to bring out the New York Giants to start the game.
After a first down given up, the Broncos defense clamped down for back-to-back incompletions ending with a Zach Allen batted pass at the line to force the game’s first punt. Denver’s offense didn’t fare any better with three straight passes and three straight incompletions for the immediate punt back to the Giants.
The teams traded punts again, before Jaxson Dart and the Giants offense got some momentum on a big play to midfield on a nice throw and catch. They would get another first down on the Broncos’ third defensive penalty of the quarter. On the very next play, Dart found a wide open tight end for a 44-yard touchdown.
The defense cannot cover tight ends for the life of them.
RJ Harvey made a critical mental error catching the ensuing kickoff at the sideline and stepping out inside the 10 yard line. The Broncos would gain a few first downs, but a Brian Burns sack on Bo Nix did set Denver back in an unfavorable second and 18. That would lead to another punt for Denver late in the first quarter.
The first quarter would end with the Giants going three-and-out and punting it right back to Denver.