Broncos WR Eric Decker Should Rebound vs. Giants

Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It was a night to forget for Eric Decker in the Broncos’ season opener against the Ravens.

Decker was the target of seven of Peyton Manning’s passes on Thursday night, the same number of TDs Manning threw for, and he was only able to haul in two of them for a grand total of 32 yards.

The former Minnesota Gopher also dropped a touchdown and a pass across the middle, and fumbled on one of his two catches on the night. Luckily the fumble took a Bronco bounce out of bounds and there was no harm done, but it was the cherry on top of bad, bad night for Decker.

What did Decker think of his performance?

“Just ridiculous. Painful.”

Hopefully the former third round pick has a short memory.

Personally, I think Decker is in line to have a big game against the Giants on Sunday. He was quite literally the only Bronco offensively who didn’t really find his way into the mix of Manning’s record setting performance, and Manning knows that. There is no way #18 is going to let Decker get discouraged and hit a funk. He has confidence in Decker, as evidenced by the players hooking up 85 times last year with a team-leading 13 touchdown grabs.

Decker is not a bad player, but he’s made some silly plays in his Broncos career. Perhaps most notably was his getting tackled by the turf monster in a Monday Night matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers last season. Luckily that also didn’t end up costing the Broncos seven points–or a win–but the fact is Decker has been the subject of a little jabbing of late.

I don’t think it’s all warranted, but his performance in week one was especially out of the norm, especially for a sure-handed receiver like him.

I fully expect Decker to come out strong against the Giants, and I think the offensive game plan will involve a few plays to get Decker the ball immediately and let him work after the catch and get into a rhythm early on.