Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 7

An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Broncos NFL Week 7 matchup on Sunday in Denver:

Marquee matchup

Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto vs. Giants LT Andrew Thomas

Bonitto, at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, is a speed guy with great burst and finishing ability — hence his NFL-high eight sacks.

Thomas missed the first two games rehabbing his surgically repaired left foot and upon his return reestablished himself as one of the best in the game — no sacks allowed and just two pressures given up in 130 pass block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

“He’s done a great job, and it’s no surprise to any of us,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. Thomas is gearing up for Bonitto but knows this defensive front is loaded. “They have a lot of guys up front that create havoc,’’ he said.

Four downs

Listen to ’em: Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is still learning his guys, as far as what they can handle and what they cannot.

His unit has four first-round picks on the front line, and they want to be more aggressive. They brought this desire to Bowen, and he has listened to them. Will this continue to be an open dialogue?

“I mean, it’s funny because you talk to different groups and you get different answers,’’ Bowen said about players expressing their desire to send pressure. “I’m open to those guys having their opinions and bringing suggestions and how we see things, how we want to play things and making sure we’re all on the same page.’’

Evan Almighty: After a slow start to the season, tight end Evan Engram is getting in rhythm in his first season with the Broncos. He had five catches last week against the Jets.

“You’re trying to get touches for certain guys,’’ Broncos head coach Sean Payton said. “He’s one of our playmakers.”

Engram, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2017, has been remarkably productive over a long period of time. He has 17 receptions, and if he reaches 40 he will join Jeremy Shockey as the only other tight end in NFL history with at least 40 receptions in each of their first nine seasons.

George Kittle of the 49ers can also get there this season.

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QB carousel: The Giants certainly were in the quarterback market in the 2024 draft, seeking to trade up to get either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.

They could not swing a deal and selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick.

They could have selected quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (he went at No. 8 to the Falcons), J.J. McCarthy (he went No. 10 to the Vikings) or Bo Nix (he went No. 12 to the Broncos).

Nix played 61 games in college, split between Auburn and Oregon, and that experience showed, as he started all 17 games as a rookie and helped the Broncos make the playoffs.

Nix has thrived with Payton, a scenario the Giants hope develops with Dart and Brian Daboll.

Line games: The last time they stepped onto the field, the interior of the Giants’ defensive line took advantage of a replacement starting guard, and that led to significant run-stoppage against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles.

Can it happen again, this time with J.K. Dobbins?

The Broncos are going with their third starting left guard in as many weeks, as injuries at that spot will put third-year backup Alex Palczewski into the lineup.

“I’m ready to be there for him and protect him as much as I can and make sure that he feels comfortable,” Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles said. “This ain’t my first rodeo playing with different guards.’’

Paul’s pick

The Giants are going to have to play the cleanest of games to hang in this one, as this joint gets jumping and road teams fall by the wayside when the Denver defense gets rolling.

Thus, this is a difficult spot for rookie Jaxson Dart, especially if Cam Skattebo is unable to get much traction. And oh yeah, that altitude can be tough on the lungs.

Broncos 24, Giants 13