Ten storylines to follow as the Giants get set for Sunday Night Football:
1. ONLY ONE WAY TO FIX THE MOOD
Not even an Eagles fan could have dreamed that the Giants would be 0-5 to start the season, but such is life in the NFL. The Giants held multiple fourth-quarter leads in their past three outings, including two that were lost on last-second field goals. Now, Big Blue looks to break into the win column on Sunday night at Mile High against the 3-1 Denver Broncos.
**>> FACT OR FICTION: WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS**
"Hey, the only way to fix the mood is to get a win," quarterback Eli Manning said. "Nothing else is going to change it."
2. GIANTS DOWN 4 WR'S
One by one, the Giants had a line forming at the MRI machine following an unthinkable string of injuries that hit the receiving corps last week. As a result, Odell Beckham, Jr. (ankle), Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Dwayne Harris (foot) underwent surgery and are done for the season.
Sterling Shepard, meanwhile, also injured his ankle and will not play against Denver. The Giants re-stocked the depth chart this week by bringing back Tavarres King and promoting Travis Rudolph and Ed Eagan off the practice squad.
3. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out: LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), DE Romeo Okwara (knee), RB Paul Perkins (ribs), C Weston Richburg (concussion), WR Sterling Shepard (ankle), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle)
Questionable: S Landon Collins (ankle)
4. BRONCOS INJURY REPORT
Out: QB Paxton Lynch (right shoulder), WR Cody Latimer (knee)
5. DRC SUSPENDED; DEAYON CALLED UP
The team has suspended cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie indefinitely for a "violation of team rules." According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, an indefinite suspension can last from one to four weeks. The Giants promoted cornerback Donte Deayon off their practice squad to fill the roster opening. Deayon just missed out on making the 53-man roster this summer after an impressive preseason, which included a 36-yard interception return touchdown against the Jets.
6. ROGER THAT
With 18 games played over two seasons, Roger Lewis is now the most experienced player in the wide receiver room. He has 15 career catches, three of which were touchdowns, including a 29-yarder last week. Meanwhile, King, Rudolph and Eagan had been around the team prior to being added to the active roster. Giants fans will remember King's 44-yard reception that led to a Giants' victory last year in Week 17 against the Redskins. He went on to lead the team with 73 yards and a touchdown on three catches in the Wild Card game at Lambeau Field. "Just give us the best version of yourself," coach Ben McAdoo said of his message to the unit.
7. ENGRAM SPLIT OUT WIDE?
The Giants had more tight ends than wide receivers in the huddle for the potential game-winning final drive last week. Rookie Evan Engram, the Giants' first-round pick, was split out wide during the series, something he has the skillset to do from time to time. Whether or not he continues to spend more time out wide, Engram is likely to be featured more. "We have packages where I'm split out wide and we have certain plays and I'm kind of familiar with the offense enough to know what's going on up there," Engram said. "So, it wasn't that much of a difficult adjustment. … I felt comfortable out there."
8. RUDOLPH, EAGAN TO HANDLE RETURNS
Before his injury against the Chargers last week, Harris was having his best game of the season as a returner, notching a 17-yarder on a punt as well as a 30-yarder on a kickoff. Just like at wide receiver, the Giants will turn to Eagan and Rudolph to bolster the return duties. In the preseason, Eagan returned four kicks for 90 yards (22.5 avg.) with a long of 27 yards, and returned three punts for 27 yards (9.0) with a long of 18 yards. Rudolph averaged 22.0 and 2.7 yards on kicks and punts, respectively.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Broncos on Sunday
WR TRAVIS RUDOLPHAlong with Ed Eagan, Rudolph was promoted from the practice squad this week. Look for both of them to contribute in the return game as well.
WR ROGER LEWISOdell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Dwayne Harris are done for the season, while Sterling Shepard recovers from an ankle injury. It's Roger Lewis time.
DT DALVIN TOMLINSONTomlinson will be key in stopping the run in Denver. The Broncos enter Week 6 with the No. 3 rushing attack in the league, averaging 143.0 yards per game.
SAFETY DARIAN THOMPSONThompson stuffed the stat sheet last week with a team-high 11 tackles, two passes defensed, a quarterback hit, and his first career interception.
TE EVAN ENGRAMWith injuries in the receiving corps, the rookie first-round draft choice will look to fill the void in the passing game as he has the skillset to split out wide at times.
9. MILLER TIME
Less than two years removed from being named MVP of Super Bowl 50, Broncos pass rusher Von Miller has four sacks in four games this season to lead the NFL with 77.5 since he was drafted second overall in 2011 (Houston's J.J. Watt is second during that span with 76.0). Meanwhile, the Broncos lead the NFL with 279 sacks as a team since 2011 and enter Week 6 with the No. 1 defense in both total yards (260.8 allowed per game) and rushing (50.8).
10. NO FLY ZONE
The Broncos' pass rush works hand-in-hand with one of the best secondaries in the NFL, nicknamed the No Fly Zone. Aqib Talib, a four-time Pro Bowler, is fourth among active players with 34 career interceptions. Fellow cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2016, and safety Darian Stewart is coming off his first nod. He is partnered with Justin Simmons at safety, while Bradley Roby mans the slot.
A look at the playmakers of the Giants' upcoming opponent
OLB Von MillerSince getting drafted second overall in 2011, Miller leads the NFL with 77.5 sacks, including 4.0 in four games this season.
CB Aqib TalibThe four-time Pro Bowler is fourth among active players with 34 career interceptions.
CB Chris Harris Jr.Voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2016, Harris is one of just five undrafted cornerbacks in pro football history to make three or more Pro Bowls with his original team.
WR Demaryius ThomasThomas ranks first in franchise history with 34 total games with 100-plus receiving yards.
WR Emmanuel SandersSanders has recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since joining Denver in 2014.
Safety Darian StewartComing off his first Pro Bowl, Stewart is the last line on the No. 1 defense in yards allowed per game.
RB C.J. AndersonDenver is No. 3 in the NFL in rushing with 143.0 yards per game thanks to Anderson, who is averaging 82.5 yards.
