AT A GLANCE: The Giants' Week 1 woes continued with a 27-13 loss to the Broncos at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have lost five consecutive season openers.
UP NEXT: A quick turnaround to Week 2. The Giants (0-1) will travel to face the defending NFC East champion Washington Football Team (0-1) on Thursday Night Football in Landover, Maryland. Big Blue has won its past five games against Washington and is 12-4 in their past 16 meetings. The Giants have won their past three trips to FedExField. Washington lost its season opener to the Los Angeles Chargers.
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
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
🔹 Saquon Barkley cleared the final hurdle in his comeback. The dynamic running back and three-time team captain played in his first game since he suffered a serious knee injury last Sept. 20 and underwent surgery on Oct. 30. Barkley, who is the first player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, was limited in practice this week and listed as "questionable" on the final injury report.
Fittingly, Daniel Jones handed the ball off to Barkley on the first play from scrimmage, which he turned into a five-yard gain. Barkley finished with 10 carries for 26 yards and one catch for one yard.
🔹 Sterling Shepard, the longest-tenured active Giants player, had one of the best camps of his career over the summer. He carried it over to the regular season and scored the Giants' first touchdown of the season. He broke two tackles along the way to the 37-yard score, giving the Giants a 7-3 lead for the time being in the second quarter. Shepard went on to notch his 10th career 100-yard game.
🔹 Barkley wasn't the only playmaker making his much-anticipate return. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay (four catches for 64 yards), tight end Kyle Rudolph (two catches for eight yards), and rookie first-round pick Kadarius Toney (two catches for a loss of two yards) made their debuts in Giants uniform after missing time in training camp due to injuries.
🔹 In the week leading up, coach Joe Judge called Denver's Von Miller a "unicorn" edge rusher who can "ruin your day in a heartbeat." The eight-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl MVP racked up three tackles for loss, including two sacks.
🔹 With his team marching into Denver territory and trailing by 10 points, Jones lost a fumble after a seven-yard scramble late in the third quarter. Josey Jewell jarred the ball loose, and Malik Reed recovered at the Broncos 13.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
🔹 Recently voted one of seven team captains, defensive back Logan Ryan made a nifty play late in the first half when he seemingly just tackled tight end Albert Okwuegbunam on the left sideline inside the Giants' 10. But he did more than that. Ryan stripped the ball and gained possession for the takeaway before they both fell to the ground. Ryan entered the season as one of three active DBs with 15+ career interceptions (18) and 10+ career sacks (12).
🔹 The Giants gave up a touchdown with just eight seconds left in the first half and lost the lead in the process. Teddy Bridgewater, who won an offseason competition with Drew Lock, connected with Tim Patrick for a two-yard score to complete a seven-play, 57-yard drive.
🔹 A major turning point of the game came with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter. Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry landed on Jerry Jeudy after a 20-yard gain, and the wide receiver lost control of the ball. Jabrill Peppers recovered the fumble, but the call was reversed after an official review showed Jeudy, who was injured on the play, was down before the ball came out. It set up a first down at the Giants' 13. Four plays later, the Broncos converted a fourth down on an Okwuegbunam four-yard touchdown from Bridgewater. It gave Denver a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter.
🔹 Running back Melvin Gordon III put the game away with a 70-yard rushing touchdown, which gave the Broncos a 27-7 lead with 4:37 left in the game.
🔹 Rookie linebacker Azeez Ojulari, the team's second-round pick, recorded his first career sack early in the third quarter.
INJURY REPORT
NYG: DB Logan Ryan (cramping) returned.
DEN: WR Jerry Jeudy (lower leg)
INACTIVES
NYG: WR Collin Johnson, CB Josh Jackson, CB Sam Beal, LB Justin Hilliard, TE Evan Engram, LB Quincy Roche
DEN: OLB Bradley Chubb, OT Cameron Fleming, DE McTelvin Agim, FS Jamar Johnson, CB Kary Vincent, RB Nate McCrary, TE Andrew Beck
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
