Giants vs Broncos: Week 7 Keys to Victory

Jaxson Dart & Cam Skattebo celebrate after Dart's touchdown run in the first quarter of the Giants' win against the Eagles

Oh how a sweet, sweet victory over a division rival can turn a fanbase on it's head in a matter of hours. That is exactly what Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and the rest of the Giants did when they dominated the second half of their matchup with the Eagles in week 6 that led to a 34-17 win. That win, in which I was happily in attendance for, could be the spark that this team needed to turn the season around.

All focus is now on Denver and a quick west coast swing for Big Blue. They have a chip on their shoulder and it feels like they are finally starting to click on both sides of the ball. Perfect timing for a really tough matchup against a solid Broncos team lauded for their defensive prowess.

Heading out west is never easy, especially after having a week and a half off since their last game. That shouldn't matter too much though, and this could be a defining moment early in Jaxson Dart's career. If the Giants somehow pull off the win in Denver and the Eagles and Commanders lose, then they will be just one win outside the top spot in the NFC East. I'll leave it at that, let's get to some week 7 game prep and the keys to victory on both sides of the ball.

Keys to victory: Offense

Jaxson Dart

This game starts with Jaxson Dart and ends with Jaxson Dart. Full stop. His performance and the way in which he establishes himself early in the game will set the tone for the success this team will have on the offensive side of the ball. In three games as the starter, Dart has completed 66% of his passes and thrown for 500+ yards and four touchdowns. He has also logged 167 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Per Giants.com, he made history in week 6 becoming the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for 50+ yards in each of his first three career starts.

The Broncos defense is solid and give up just 4.3 yards per play, good for first in the league. They have an effective pass rush, lead the league in sacks, and employ All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II. They grind offenses to a hault, but there are ways to get by against this team that Dart can exploit. They do not force turnovers, ranking in the bottom 10 in turnovers forced in the league. Holding onto the ball and making smart reads through the air is a must for Dart today. Riley Moss, their starting cornerback opposite Surtain II, has allowed a 42.5% completion percentage in coverage, per NFL Pro, which is the second lowest of any defender in the league with a minimum of 20 targets. Dart needs to exploit Moss' side of the field as there will be windows of opportunity that might not come as easily against Surtain II.

Establishing the run game with Cam Skattebo

We witnessed a three touchdown day from Skattebo in week 6, leading to a memorable Thursday Night Football interview where he proceeded to rip his shirt off on live TV with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The guy has unlimited energy and a motor that powers him through defenders at will. Thanks to Andrew Thomas and the offensive line's solid performance so far this year, Skattebo has been able to reap the benefits of their labor. Now they have a test with one of, if not the, stingiest defensive lines in all of football. The Giants must get Skattebo going early to set up 1) the RPO with Jaxson Dart and 2) play action passing. Skattebo has shown he has the balance to break off big runs or knock defenders off their feet. If Mike Kafka and Brian Daboll get him going early, that will open up the playbook and take the pressure off of Dart and the rest of the offense. This is especially important knowing the Giants receiving corps is in shambles right now.

I think this could be one of the biggest keys to the game. The Broncos are allowing 89 yards on the ground through six weeks which is 7th best in the NFL. During their current three game win streak, they haven't allowed any of their opponents to register 100 yards rushing. However, the Jets showed some life in doing so last week which opens a window to get Skattebo and the run game going early.

Keys to victory: Defense

The run defense needs to stay sharp

Since giving up a whopping 612 rushing yards over the first four weeks to opposing running backs, the Giants have kept their last two opponents under 100 yards rushing. That's about 80 yards allowed against two of the NFL's premier backs in Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley. The Broncos will be looking to get their run game going early with JK Dobbins after he registered a measly 40 rushing yards in week 6 against the Jets. I want to keep seeing guys like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Darius Muasau step up as run defenders because we already know the capabilities of other run stoppers in Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns, and Bobby Okereke and what they bring to the table. Each week of more consistent play from these two gives the Giants even more to work with in heavy box scenarios.

Harping on Thibodeaux especially, he is having the best start to a season against the run in his career and it's evident from the film that the work he put in this offseason to strengthen that part of his game is paying dividends. I guess learning how to wrestle has aided in his run stopping abilities after all. He picked up three stops against the Eagles, including the one below early in the third quarter that led to a two yard loss.

This has to be the Paulson Adebo get right game

I say this because it feels like he hasn't fully gotten into a groove yet this season. Similar to Dexter Lawrence's slow start coming back from injury, Adebo is primed to find that rhythm that he had before breaking his leg last year. I feel it coming for Adebo and this could be that big game that will solidify the contract that the Giants gave him this offseason. He is so vital to the success of the Giants secondary and is heralded as one of the best in the league at locking up opposing WR1s. He was primarily matched up with AJ Brown in week 6, and per NFL Pro, was targeted 10 times leading to seven receptions and 83 yards from the opposing offense. While not fantastic, that is serviceable for the amount of volume that went his way. He also hasn't allowed a touchdown while the primary defender in the area since week 2 so it looks like Adebo is slowly working his way back into prime cornerback no. 1 status.

I'm excited to see him 1 on 1 with a guy like Courtland Sutton who is tall, quick, and has those long arms that help distance him from opposing defenders. Adebo's success in this matchup, and possibly in matchups with Evan Engram, will be paramount to the secondary's success in stifling a dynamic group of Denver playmakers. Hey, don't look now but the Giants haven't given up more than 275 yards passing in the last three weeks and are 11th in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed at seven, courtesy of Pro Football Reference. They are slowly shoring up their defensive efficiency on the back end and Adebo's success as a lockdown corner will continue to be a key piece in helping this defense succeed.

The round up

As you read above, there are many things the Giants will need to do right to capture a win in Denver. Their dynamic rookies on offense along with a few proven veterans on defense need to be in lockstep for a successful week 7. When both sides of the ball are humming, nothing can stop this team. That was apparent in week 6 against the Eagles when they absolutely dominated the second half.

I'm in the camp of anything is possible, and although the Giants are 7 point underdogs, it wouldn't surprise me if they came out and played their asses off riding the high of a key win and a turnaround. They have a chance to rewrite the ship today and the chatter will only get louder if they come out the victors.

Giants vs Broncos from Mile High. Let's go Big Blue.