NFL

Eli, Giants eye first win vs. Peyton

On cue, Eli Manning analyzed his matchup with the Broncos the way he would any other game — which, of course, it is not. Without much prodding, Manning admitted, “It’s still neat seeing your big brother on the sideline or seeing him before the game.’’

How could it not be neat? Eli and Peyton looking downfield and firing darts in the same game is special, no matter how cynical anyone wants to view this Manning Bowl III, when the Giants in their home opener on Sunday at MetLife Stadium face the Broncos. This is the third time Eli and Peyton have squared off in the NFL — backyard hoops doesn’t count — and Peyton with the Colts was 2-0 against his youngest brother.

“Hopefully, when I think back on these games that we played against my brother, I can think back and remember at least one win,’’ Eli said.

That memory is for far down the road. In the here and now, Manning knows his Giants, 0-1 after a mistake-filled 36-31 loss to the Cowboys, need to cut out the sloppiness and get down to work against an AFC powerhouse. There was plenty the Giants did right in the opener, but everything was compromised by six turnovers, matching the most ever committed in the 10-year Tom Coughlin era and, judging from the attention, nearly putting running back David Wilson (two fumbles) on the analyst couch.

This is one of the top assemblages of quarterback-receiver talent in one game the league can muster, with Peyton distributing to Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker and Eli getting to play catch with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle. Ready on the left? Ready on the right? Come out firing.

A look inside the game:

BEST BATTLE

Broncos WR Wes Welker vs. Giants CB Terrell Thomas

This is quite an assignment for Thomas, who was on the field for 38 snaps last week in his first game in two years coming off two ACL surgeries. Thomas now operates as a slot corne, and that’s where Welker resides as the best slot receiver of this generation. Welker, in his first game with the Broncos, picked up with Peyton Manning where he left off with Tom Brady, catching a team-high nine passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

NIP AND TUCK

That dervish wearing No. 91 in blue last week was none other than Justin Tuck, who started off what is an important season for him — he’s in the last year of his contract — in style. He was the best defensive lineman on the field, active and productive. He had six pressures of Tony Romo. Last season, according to Pro Football Focus, it took him five games to get six pressures. If Tuck returns to his pre-2012 form and Jason Pierre-Paul shows the expected improvement as he gets back in shape, the Giants once againwill have a pair of dominating defensive ends.

MARKED MAN

The sudden loss of Dan Connor (neck) for the season robs the Giants of their best middle linebacker and, once again, paves the way for Mark Herzlich to show he can be a bona fide NFL starter. He has not succeeded in the past when provided with this opportunity, and there’s not much in the way of a fallback position, with no player on the roster a natural in the middle. This does not figure to be a middle linebacker-heavy game, though, with far more concentration with stopping the pass than the run.

DEEP THOUGHTS

Aging but still effective Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (sprained foot) is out, further increasing the likelihood the Giants will probe the outer boundaries of the Denver defense. With Victor Cruz,

Hakeem Nicks and emerging Rueben Randle all surpassing 100 yards vs. the Cowboys — a first in Giants history — Big Blue possess as much or more big-play passing potential than any team in the league.

“They present some challenges for us and having some one-on-one opportunities, we want to be able to exploit that,’’ said Cruz, who embarked on the 2013 season with a three-touchdown opener.

OH SNAP

The return of David Bass as the starting center is a major upgrade, as it allows the Giants to get their best five offensive linemen on the field, moving Kevin Boothe back to left guard and James Brewer to the bench. There were all sorts of assignment issues in the opener plus physical breakdowns — right guard

Chris Snee allowed two sacks after allowing just two the entire 2012 season. Sure, David Wilson couldn’t hold onto the ball, but the blocking for Wilson and Da’Rel Scott was underwhelming.

“You had two new parts in there for the first time,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “Plus, the tight end [Brandon Myers] was new. The left guard was playing center. To get the cohesiveness you need to have to be an effective/efficient running game takes a little time. You have to have five guys playing together for a little bit. Hopefully we’ve ironed out a few kinks and we’ll be a little bit better with it.’’

MATCHING WITS

The gamesmanship battle with Peyton Manning is not only player vs. player. Giants defensive coordinator will be hard-pressed to get the personnel he wants on the field because Peyton is so adept at controlling the tempo.

“Peyton is always pushing the pedal,’’ Fewell said. “He has several different changes of speed in his offense. He can get them up over the ball and let the clock run down and snap the ball or he can get right up on the ball. It’s tough to make a substation against him because if you run a guy on the field, he’s going to get his team up on the ball and snap the ball and get a penalty.’’

PAUL’S PICK

If the Broncos waited any longer to get back on the field after their sensational 49-27 season-opening victory over the Ravens, they already would be anointed Super Bowl champs. Have to figure they are a bit overvalued, most notably on defense. Giants will hold onto the ball better than they did the first game — they can’t be any worse — and will find plenty of points. Dealing with Peyton and Co. never easy, though.

GIANTS 31, BRONCOS 27