EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Notes and statistics from the Giants' season-opening 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos:
*The Giants finished with a statistical disadvantage in several categories, including total yards (420-314), rushing yards (165-60), first downs (24-19) and time of possession (35:08-24:52).
*The Giants rushed for 60 yards on 20 carries and did not have a run longer than eight yards. Daniel Jones led the Giants with 27 rushing yards, including a four-yard touchdown run on the game's final play.
*Saquon Barkley played for the first time since Sept. 20, 2020, and his knee surgery 40 days later and had a team-high 10 carries for 26 yards and caught one pass.
*Jones completed 22 of 37 passes for 267 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to Sterling Shepard, and no interceptions for a passer rating of 90.7. He was sacked twice.
*Shepard had game-high totals of seven receptions for 113 yards. It was his 10th career 100-yard game and second in a row; he gained 112 yards on eight catches, including one touchdown, in the 2020 season finale vs. Dallas.
*Shepard's seven receptions increased his career total to 320, which moved him past Hakeem Nicks (318) and into 10th place on the Giants' career list. Bob Tucker is ninth with 327.
*Shepard has caught at least one pass in 55 consecutive games in which he's played.
*The 37-yarder was the Giants' longest first touchdown in a season since…2020, when Jones connected with Darius Slayton for a 41-yard score.
*Slayton had a game-long 42-yard reception among his three catches for 65 yards.
*The 42-yarder was Jones' first completion of the season. It was the Giants' longest initial completion in a season since Eli Manning hooked up with Hakeem Nicks for a 57-yard gain in 2013 at Dallas.
Check out the best photos from the Giants' season opener against the Denver Broncos.
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a catch in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) attempts to tackle New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed (59) battles against New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) and New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) runs the ball in for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) evades a tackle from Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) in action during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Denver Broncos' Shelby Harris (96) and Kareem Jackson (22) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and Xavier McKinney (29) break up a pass to Denver Broncos' Caden Sterns (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan (23) and Jabrill Peppers (21) tackle Denver Broncos' Noah Fant (87) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' C.J. Board (18) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver BroncosSunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) breaks away from Denver Broncos' Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Kenny Golladay (19) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) warms up with teammates before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge, left, talks to Nate Solder (76) before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
CB James Bradberry
CB Adoree' Jackson, S Xavier McKinney, DB Logan Ryan
CB Adoree' Jackson
HC Joe Judge
CB Adoree' Jackson
CB Rodarius Williams
LB Blake Martinez
TE Kyle Rudolph, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Elijhaa Penny
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley, RB Elijaha Penny
LB Oshane Ximines
DB Logan Ryan
K Graham Gano
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton
WR Kadarius Toney
RB Saquon Barkley
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
WR Kadarius Toney
WR Kenny Golladay
RB Saquon Barkley
CB James Bradberry
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kenny Golladay
TE Kyle Rudolph, RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Kadarius Toney
TE Kyle Rudolph
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
TE Kyle Rudolph
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Tae Crowder
FB Cullen Gillaspia
LB Cam Brown
OL Andrew Thomas
LB Cam Brown
CB James Bradberry
LB Carter Coughlin
RB Saquon Barkley
OT Matt Peart
LB Quincy Roche
CB Darnay Holmes
LB Azeez Ojulari
S Jabrill Peppers
S Jabrill Peppers
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
FB Cullen Gillaspia
LB Blake Martinez
TE Kaden Smith, FB Cullen Gillaspia
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
WR Kenny Golladay
C Nick Gates, G Will Hernandez
QB Daniel Jones, WR Kenny Golladay
C Nick Gates, G Will Hernandez
QB Daniel Jones, WR Kenny Golladay
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Sterling Shepard
HC Joe Judge
RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
*Five players caught their first pass as Giants: Kenny Golladay had four receptions for 64 yards (his first catch gained 17 yards), Kyle Rudolph two for eight yards, first-round draft choice Kadarius Toney two for minus-two yards, Devontae Booker one for six yards, and rookie Gary Brightwell one for one yard.
*Safety Logan Ryan led the Giants with 10 tackles (eight solo) and had a forced fumble and recovery when he separated tight end Albert Okwuegbunam from the ball at the Giants' four-yard line in the second quarter. In his debut season with the Giants in 2020, Ryan led the Giants with three forced fumbles and two recoveries.
*In the third quarter, James Bradberry forced a Jerry Jeudy fumble that was recovered by Jabrill Peppers on the Giants' 14-yard line, but the play was overturned on review. Four plays later, Teddy Bridgewater threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Okwuegbunam that increased the Broncos' lead to 17-7.
*Austin Johnson and rookie Azeez Ojulari each sacked Bridgewater. Ojulari, the team's second-round draft choice this year, was the first Giants defender with a full sack in his NFL debut since tackle William Joseph on Sept. 7, 2003. Kerry Wynn had a half-sack in his first game in 2014.
*Johnson started for the first time in his two Giants seasons.
*Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III rushed for 101 yards on 11 carries to become the first Giants opponent to reach 100 yards on the ground since Benny Snell, Jr. of Pittsburgh in the 2020 season opener.
*Gordon had the game's biggest play, a clinching 70-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. It was the longest run allowed by the Giants since a 78-yarder on Dec. 23, 2012, by Baltimore's Bernard Pierce, who was tackled at the one-yard line. Gordon's score was the longest touchdown run and longest in a home game surrendered by the Giants since an 80-yarder by Buffalo's Fred Jackson on Oct. 16, 2011.
*Denver had a 15-play field goal drive and a 16-play touchdown drive among its eight offensive possessions. In 2020, the Giants defense allowed just three series of 15 or more plays all season.
*Nate Solder opened the game at right tackle, his first start at the position since Jan. 22, 2012, when he played for New England against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game and his first in a regular-season game since Jan 1, 2012 against Buffalo. Solder started Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants as an extra tight end. His previous 111 starts in the regular season and 13 in the postseason were at left tackle. Solder opted out of the 2020 season, so this was his first appearance since Dec. 29, 2019 vs. Philadelphia.
*Will Hernandez started for the first time in his career at right guard. The fourth-year pro's first 39 starts were at left guard.
*The Giants lost on Kickoff Weekend for the fifth consecutive season and for the 10th time in 11 years.
*The Giants are 50-42-5 in season openers, 50-44-3 in home openers, 3-9 in MetLife Stadium openers and 17-15 in season-opening home games, including 1-4 in MetLife Stadium.
*This was the Giants' first opener vs. Denver in almost exactly 20 years. On Sept. 10, 2001, the Giants lost to the Broncos, 31-20, in the first regular-season game played in what is now Empower Field at Mile High.
*Denver took a 7-6 lead in the regular-season series.
*Giants players who made their NFL debuts against Denver: draft choices Kadarius Toney, Azeez Ojulari, Gary Brightwell and Rodarius Williams and rookie free agent Raymond Johnson III.
Veterans who made their Giants debuts: Devontae Booker, Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph, Ben Bredeson, Billy Price, Danny Shelton, Reggie Ragland, Adoree' Jackson, Cullen Gillaspia and Keion Crossen. Golladay and Jackson started.
*Three of the Giants' seven captains took the field for the coin toss: Barkley, Ryan and Peppers.
*The Giants' inactive players were tight end Evan Engram (calf), wide receiver Collin Johnson, cornerbacks Sam Beal and Josh Jackson, and linebackers Justin Hilliard and Quincy Roche.
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