Analyzing whose stock is up and whose is down after the Denver Broncos’ decisive victory over the New York Giants to kick off the 2021 season.
One of the best times of the year is the opening weekend of the NFL season. The weekend only gets better with a Denver Broncos victory. This year, the team did not disappoint as they defeated the New York Giants in convincing fashion.
Overall, the team put on an impressive performance on both sides of the ball, but the offense was ultimately the deciding factor in this contest, something that has not been able to be said for a long time.
There were many great, and some forgettable factors in the Denver Broncos’ first September win since 2017. Let’s get to our first stock report of the 2021 season.
Denver Broncos win vs. Giants: Stock Up
Teddy Bridgewater
In a season opener where there was much doubt about the Denver Broncos’ decision to start Teddy Bridgewater, Teddy was able to silence that noise and more. Finishing the day with 264 pass yards, 2 TD’s, and a QB rating of 115.7, Bridgewater far exceeded the expectations of Broncos Country.
Bridgewater also silenced common criticism that he does not have the arm for downfield plays, as Bridgewater really aired the ball out Sunday for some beautiful downfield gains. Even in his comfort zone of check-down and short-gain passes, Bridgewater was able to convert on fourth down to keep drives alive and keep Denver dominating the time of possession.
Although it is just one week of football, and there is a long season ahead, Teddy Bridgewater arguably had the best QB play Denver has seen in quite a while, and with his presence under center, it feels as if the offense gels in a way it has not in recent history.
If he continues to play at the high level he did in Week One, this squad could have a very high ceiling.
Noah Fant
Although tight end Noah Fant did not record any wowing stats in the season opener, he had solid and consistent production and proved to be one of Teddy Bridgewater’s favorite targets on the day. Finishing the day with 6 receptions and 62 yards, Noah Fant was a big factor in why the Broncos were able to move the chains so efficiently.
In his third season with the team, young Noah Fant looks to make a splash and finally earn the respect he has been working toward. Broncos Country, seeing Fant week in and week out, knows the potential the tight end has.
If the Denver Broncos offense can keep the momentum it gained in Sunday’s win over the Giants, Fant may finally have his opportunity to establish himself as a household name and insert himself into the conversation of the league’s best tight ends in the company of guys like Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Darren Waller.
Especially in the absence of receiver Jerry Jeudy, guys like Fant, KJ Hamler, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Tim Patrick will need to step up to keep the offense on a consistent production line. Judging on the obvious chemistry displayed between Teddy Bridgewater and Noah Fant today, that should not be a problem.
Week One was just the beginning of the show Noah Fant is poised to put on in 2021. Soon, the rest of the league will take notice.
Von Miller
A New York Giants media personality attempted to minimize Von Miller’s return to the Broncos, citing that it had been at least three years since Miller had been “great.”
Someone may want to let Von Miller know he is “washed up”, because, apparently, he missed the memo.
Recording two sacks after not playing in an NFL game since December 2019, it is evident that the all-time great pass rusher has not lost a spring in his step. Although Miller did not post the most dominant defensive performance on the day (word to Chandler Jones), Von was able to bring consistent and suffocating pressure against Daniel Jones.
Posting two sacks, two QB hits, and 3 TFLs, Von is back to doing what he does best.
What was even more impressive about Von’s performance today was that he was down his right-hand man in Bradley Chubb, who was ruled inactive prior to the game on Sunday morning. Hopefully, the dynamic duo will be reunited in Week 2 against Jacksonville and can help give rookie Trevor Lawrence an Orange Crush welcome to the NFL.
Of course, it is a long season, but it appears that Von Miller’s DPOY campaign has begun.
Denver Broncos Week 1: Stock Down
Defensive Mishaps
While the Denver Broncos’ defensive unit was able to make adjustments and played a pretty dominant second half of football, Week One displayed that there are adjustments the defense themselves need to make, and things they need to clean up.
Though Kyle Fuller redeemed himself as time progressed, he overall had a forgettable performance in his debut as a Denver Bronco. Realistically, the secondary as a unit allowed many large chunk plays and often struggled to adjust against the Giants wide receivers, being burned on occasion.
Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard had his way with the Broncos’ defense, posting 113 yards on seven receptions and one TD on the day.
Of course, it is important to remember that this new-look secondary is likely suffering from some growing pains as they adjust to playing together. There is no doubt this unit with massive potential will grow together and only become stronger as the season progresses.
Overall, the secondary did not play a “bad” game but did make small mistakes that prevented this game from being an outright blowout.
KJ Hamler
Though KJ Hamler did not necessarily have a “bad” game, catching 3 of 4 targets for 41 yards and averaging 13.7 yards/reception, he dropped a pass that may haunt him for a while.
In perhaps what would have been Bridgewater’s best passes of the game, Teddy aired out a beautiful deep ball over 50 yards to KJ Hamler, whose extreme speed allowed him to reach the end zone with time to spare to secure the ball.
Unfortunately, KJ’s hands did not keep up with his legs, and he dropped the wide-open pass. It was overall a rough drive for the Denver Broncos, as Jerry Jeudy subsequently suffered a high-ankle sprain and was carted off.
While Denver still handily won the contest, going forward, Hamler must ensure that he makes these easy catches, especially when failing to do so wipes points off of the board.
It is especially important that KJ Hamler becomes more consistent, as he is one who will need to step up in the absence of Jerry Jeudy, who could be out for up to 8 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Hamler has a lot of potential, and with extra pressure now riding on his shoulders, will have a lot to prove.
East Coast Curse
It is no secret that the Denver Broncos often struggle when traveling over to the East Coast, and today, as the Denver Broncos dominated at Metlife Stadium, one would consider that perhaps the Broncos had finally broken through the barrier and ended the stigma.
Unfortunately, the East Coast Curse struck once again. Instead of a loss, the curse reappeared in the form of a devastating injury to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy was carted off early in the third quarter with what many feared to be an ankle fracture.
Fortunately, X-rays came back negative, and Jeudy has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. Certainly not good news for the second-year receiver who was poised for a breakout season, but much better news than many expected.
However, Jeudy is still expected to miss 6-8 weeks, and the Broncos will certainly miss his productivity in the offense. Fortunately, Denver has many candidates primed to step up in his absence, such as Tim Patrick or KJ Hamler.
Denver Broncos: Von Miller gets sack, huge TFL in 2021 debut
Denver Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller already has a sack and a huge tackle for loss against the Giants in his 2021 debut.
Perhaps the Broncos’ next trip to the East Coast will finally end the “curse” once and for all, and while the Broncos head home with a victory, they certainly did not leave unscathed.