Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 12th, at 4:25 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: DEN -3, 42 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater (Sit)
A new year, a new starting gig for Teddy Bridgewater. Teddy Two Gloves (apparently) had a strong enough summer to beat out Drew Lock, and is set to face a Giants team on the road that allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to QB’s last season. Now while that is in the past, the question to ask is, can Bridgewater’s arm strength get the ball to his receivers that thrive by stretching the field? He still has scoring ability using his feet, but his fantasy outlook is just underwhelming to kickoff the season.
Running Backs
Melvin Gordon III (Sit), Javonte Williams (Start, Flex)
Let’s face it, Melvin Gordon III is not going away this season. With the money he is making, he’s sure to see considerable usage, yet I’m not in a hurry to have him in my starting lineup. A bench spot is one thing, but the Bronco back I want starting Week 1 is 2nd round rookie Javonte Williams out of UNC. Being pegged as the Denver RB of the future, the team would be silly not to give him the meaningful brunt of the workload early and often. The consensus RB #25 in PPR leagues, when you have Bridgewater comparing Williams to Alvin Kamara, it’s hard not to get excited at his potential.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jerry Jeudy (Start, WR2), Courtland Sutton (Start, WR3 ), KJ Hamler (Sit), Tim Patrick (Sit), Noah Fant (Start, TE2)
Amassing almost 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, Jerry Jeudy is ready to take a second-year leap as the alpha of this Denver receiver core. Last year he averaged 16.5 yards per reception, but he does have a new QB in Bridgewater throwing to him this year. Time will tell for how quickly they gel, and whether or not we see Drew Lock take snaps at any point. Courtland Sutton is no name to forget about, although we do know he’s coming off of an ACL tear. He’s had a setback free summer and should see plentiful targets alongside Jeudy. Both KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick have the potential to contribute more so in real life than in fantasy at this point in the season; Patrick thrived last year with the absence of Sutton, so I would peg him above Hamler in the pecking order.
Tight end Noah Fant is a viable option for a position so bleak in fantasy, but it’s worth level setting expectations for Week 1. The Giants do defend well against the TE, allowing only four touchdowns last season. Not to mention, Fant did suffer a leg injury towards the end of the preseason and dealt with an ankle injury last year.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones (Sit)
Daniel Jones is entering the ever-so-important year three of his NFL career. This is the point where QB’s are expected to take the next step, and it holds true for Jones. He’ll have his best-receiving corps to date to work with, his stud RB back from injury, yet, will have to deal with the same poor offensive line in front of him. One fear is he won’t be able to overcome those woes, especially against a healthy Broncos defensive line. Jones is a sit – and probably not worthy of a bench spot – until further notice.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley (Start, RB2), Devontae Booker (Sit)
Coming off a season-ending knee injury from last year, Saquon Barkley is trending towards being fit for Week 1. That said, you would be wise to temper expectations and not expect an explosive Barkley out the gate. The Giants must play it smart with him, especially with the o-line in front of him not being a strong point. If he’s a go for this Sunday, brace for a lower-end RB2 finish to start of the season. Devontae Booker is the next man up in New York, but he’s nothing more than a cuff unless Barkley were to miss time.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Kenny Golladay (Sit), Sterling Shepard (Start, Flex), Darius Slayton (Sit), Kadarius Toney (Sit), Kyle Rudolph (Sit), Kaden Smith (Sit)
Prized free-agent acquisition Kenny Golladay brought over his injury woes from Detroit to New York. He’s been nursing a hamstring injury this summer, and while he’s trending towards being active this week, he’s been unable to build any sort of rapport with Jones. I would be inclined to sit him until we see some progression and reliability. The same can be said for rookie 1st rounder Kadarius Toney, who has battled Covid and a hamstring injury of his own. There is an obvious plan for him to be an important part of this offense, but you can’t trust him just yet. If I were to start any G-Men receiver, it’s Sterling Shepard, who while not the flashiest, has put together some consistent production in years past; especially in PPR leagues. Darius Slayton looked to have been developing into a solid option, but he’s going to take a step back as the deep threat option with Golladay aboard. He is dealing with an ankle injury but is lining up to be active for this game. Evan Engram (calf) is expected to miss some time to start the season, and Kyle Rudolph has somehow gone from the PUP list to possibly the TE1 on the depth chart entering Week 1. That said, I certainly would not trust having him as my starting TE, and the same goes for the other healthy option in Kaden Smith. However, if DFS is your thing, perhaps either could be a cheap option to cross your fingers on.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)