Perhaps you can hear the sound of jingle bells. The NFL is set to kick off the 2021 season, and the Denver Broncos begin the year with a matchup against the New York Giants.
Throughout the offseason the main focus has been the QB battle between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. With Bridgewater taking the reins, our gaze can turn to the regular season. What has stuck out in the build up to Week 1 is the belief that the Broncos can come away with their first win in a season opener since Vic Fangio became the head coach.
And Fangio needs that win. The Broncos have yet to win a game in September under the defensive guru. It appears the start of the season could be his best chance.
As Ian St. Clair and I discussed on the MHR Radio Podcast, the Giants are a team with several question marks. Their star running back, Saquon Barkley, is on track to start in the opener, but how much will he play? How good will Daniel Jones be? Can the Giants’ offensive line hold up against the Broncos’ pass rush?
With all those questions, and a perception that Denver has the weapons in place on offense, it isn’t far fetched to think the Broncos can win on the road. There are still several variables that will play into the match up. It will take a big effort in all three phases of the game, but the Broncos should win.
Generally, an East Coast game is a problem. The Broncos struggle when traveling to the eastern time zone. However, the afternoon slot makes the time difference more manageable.
There will also be the added impact of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. There will undoubtedly be emotional ceremonies featured before kickoff. The emotion of the day could play a role in the outcome.
The hope is that Denver gets a fast start. If Von Miller and Bradley Chubb can get Daniel Jones out of rhythm, and the offense can put points up early, it should lead to a Denver win.
For the first time in a long time, I expect to be happy on a September Monday.
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