WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
Including the second half of Week 6 against the Eagles, the Giants pitched five consecutive shutout quarters heading into the fourth in Denver. The Broncos broke through with a two-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Nix completed the two-point conversion to Sutton as the Broncos cut the deficit to 19-8 at the time
It was just the start of a 33-point fourth quarter, which included an 18-yard touchdown run by Nix to give the Broncos their first lead with 1:51 left in the game.
According to NFL Research, the Broncos’ 33 points in the fourth quarter are the most by any team that was shut out in the first three quarters in NFL history.
A late addition to the injury report, rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter was cleared to play. The third overall pick was limited in Friday’s practice with a hamstring injury and listed as questionable before the flight out west. He recorded three tackles in the game.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns, who trailed Bonitto by one for the NFL lead in sacks, got his eighth of the season on a hard hit on second-year quarterback Bo Nix late in the first quarter. Burns got another in the first half and now has nine in seven games.
Safety Jevón Holland suffered a knee injury with 7:54 left in second quarter. He was replaced by Dane Belton, the NFL leader in special teams tackles. Belton made an immediate impact on defense, however, laying a big hit on wide receiver Courtland Sutton short of the goal line on fourth-and-goal. The Broncos converted just two of eight first downs in the first half while the Giants held them to 102 yards.
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, who had his first interception of the season last week, had three tackles (one for loss) and two passes defensed.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo left in the third quarter with a knee injury. Deonte Banks took his place.
Veteran linebacker Victor Dimukeje recorded two tackles and a pass defensed in his Giants debut. The former Cardinal signed with the Giants in free agency but suffered a pectoral injury this offseason.
The Giants broke up eight passes, six of which came from their defensive front (Burns, Dimukeje and defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence II, Roy Robertson-Harris, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. and Darius Alexander).
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Jamie Gillan handled kickoff duties once again and placed one perfectly on the sideline, forcing Denver’s RJ Harvey to catch the ball at the six-yard line as he fell out of bounds. The Giants entered Week 7 ranked top five in both kickoff and punt return coverage.
Jude McAtamney missed an extra point attempt for the second consecutive game since he took over for the injured Graham Gano in Week 4.
TE Daniel Bellinger (evaluated for concussion/cleared), S Jevón Holland (knee), CB Paulson Adebo (knee)
NYG: WR Darius Slayton (hamstring), ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring), ILB Swayze Bozeman (ankle), DL Chauncey Golston (neck), C John Michael Schmitz (concussion), OL Evan Neal, QB Jameis Winston (Emergency 3rd QB)
DEN: RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DE Jordan Jackson, DE Sai’vion Jones, OLB Jonah Elliss (shoulder), S J.T. Gray
NYG: OLB Victor Dimukeje (Activated from Reserve), DL Elijah Garcia (Waived), LB Zaire Barnes (Activated from Practice Squad), WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (Activated from Practice Squad), WR Juice Wells Jr. (Practice Squad Addition), LB Jonas Griffith (Practice Squad Veteran Addition)
DEN: LB Dre Greenlaw (Activated from Injured Reserve), QB Sam Ehlinger (Practice Squad Addition), DB A.J. Woods (Released from Practice Squad), WR Thayer Thomas (Released from Practice Squad with Injury Settlement)