Tonight

NEW YORK GIANTS at DENVER BRONCOS

6 p.m., Channel 7

The line: Broncos by 6 1/2.

Story line: The Broncos make their regular-season debut at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium against the defending NFC champions. Three years ago, when Denver was making a bid for an undefeated season, the Giants ended the dream by beating them at the Meadowlands. Tonight’s game is a showdown between Denver quarterback Brian Griese, a budding star, and New York’s Kerry Collins, who resurrected his career last season.

Key matchups: Ray Rhodes, Denver’s new defensive coordinator, is hoping to patch the holes in a unit that ranked 29th against the run last season. An encore by the Broncos could mean a big night for New York backs Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber. The Giants have a solid running game, but lack some gusto for running up the gut. No team ran up the middle less last season, according to STATS, Inc. . . . Denver right tackle Matt Lepsis, who recently got a lucrative contract extension, will have his hands full with Giant defensive end Michael Strahan, who had 9 1/2 sacks last season.

Key injuries: Broncos: WR Ed McCaffrey says he’s still groggy from the headaches that recently put him in the hospital, but is expected to play. Giants: WR Ike Hilliard (foot) did not practice last week and is not expected to play.

The pick: Griese might be the smartest quarterback in the league, and he has too many options for New York to handle. Broncos win.