The Peyton Manning touchdown passes kept coming, an NFL-record seven in all for the Broncos in a 49-27 nationally televised rout of the Ravens in the NFL opener on Sept. 5, and the reactions of those watching ranged from awe from fans to fear from upcoming Denver opponents.
The Giants defensive players who were watching the game felt neither awe nor fear knowing they would be facing Manning and the Broncos in Sunday’s home opener at MetLife Stadium.
They saw opportunity.
“What was it like watching it on TV? I loved it,’’ cornerback Antrel Rolle said Thursday. “I love going up against the best of the best. It only allows me to go out there and test myself and see where I am as a defender, and to test our entire defense. [Manning] is going to give us everything.
“But his game is not about Peyton. It’s about us as a defense.’’
The Giants defense was not exactly dominant against the Cowboys in a 36-31 loss, but one must be careful judging that unit considering the fact the offense turned the ball over a ridiculous six times, putting the defense in unmanageable positions for most of the night.
“This is a big match-up for us at home, start of our home season, and we don’t want to be 0-2,” cornerback Terrell Thomas said. “I’m excited. Everybody is claiming them to be whatever they are — Peyton Manning and seven touchdowns. What better for us than if we go out there and shut them down?’’
Thomas, who likely will spend much of his day covering Wes Welker in the slot, knows the outcome of Sunday’s game will have everything to do with how the Giants’ defense handles Manning and his band of prolific receivers.
“They have a great offense, but we’re looking to be a great defense,’’ Thomas said, “so this is a perfect challenge for us.’’
Both Thomas and Rolle insisted they relish the chance to play the cat-and-mouse head game at the line of scrimmage that Manning plays, changing calls or calling out fake ones to try to confuse the defense.
“We have to take our shots,’’ Thomas said. “It’s going to be a chess match. We are not going to sit back there and let Peyton pick the perfect call for our defense. If he audibles, we’re going to audible and match what he matches. We have great personnel and we’re looking forward to the challenge.’’
Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was one of the millions watching as Manning picked apart the Ravens.
“As a defensive coach, you’re saying ‘Wow,’ because they’re so explosive and Peyton is the type of player that he drives the offense and he puts the pedal to the metal to make them go faster to push them to score points and he just doesn’t let up,’’ Fewell said. “He goes for the jugular every time he’s on the field. He’s relentless in his pursuit of perfection.’’
The Giants defense is hoping Manning is like a golfer attempting to follow up a career-low round by going low again the next day — something traditionally very difficult to accomplish. Professional golf tournaments are littered with stories of players shooting 64 one day and 76 the next. The Giants hope they can force Manning into one of those 76 rounds on Sunday.
“That’s an alarming number, seven touchdowns passes,’’ safety Ryan Mundy said. “But the NFL is week-to-week. He can throw seven touchdown passes one week and hopefully this week he might have three or four interceptions. It’s not relative. We have to go out there and do our jobs.’’
What was left of the once-proud Ravens Super Bowl defense (with Ray Lewis retired and Ed Reed gone via free agency) was not only unable to do its job last week, it looked more like the Baltimore Orioles trying to slow Manning and his teammates down in Denver.
What will the Giants defense have in store for Manning on Sunday at MetLife Stadium?
“[Manning] throwing seven touchdowns against Baltimore has nothing at all to do with this week, nothing to do with the New York Giants,’’ Rolle said. “That was Baltimore’s defense. I have all the faith in the world in this defense. Everything will be judged on Sunday.’’