DENVER – It is not as if the Giants don’t know what they are getting themselves into.

“It,” safety Shaun Williams said, “is going to be deadly.”

How else to describe someone’s idea of a cruel joke at the expense of the Giants? It is as if the schedule-makers took umbrage with how the Giants last year ran through the NFC on their way to the Super Bowl and decided to make an example of them this season.

Let’s see, what is the most difficult, demanding, impossible spot to stick the Giants for their opener? Hmm, the Broncos are an AFC favorite, enjoy a rabid following and are cutting the ribbon and opening the doors to a brand new stadium that is supposed to make old Mile High sound like a library. Let’s see how the Giants say hello to the 2001 season in the Rocky Mountains, and, for good measure, let’s feature them on Monday Night Football to allow the entire nation to check out the carnage that is sure to follow.

The Giants may or may not be up to the challenge, but make no mistake, they are well aware of what to expect.

“Everyone’s going to be watching us, and there’s a lot of questions surrounding us, whether people think we’re good enough to get back or even good enough to win our division,” said left tackle Lomas Brown, entering his 17th NFL season. “We got a lot of questions we’re going to try to answer.”

The Giants tonight will not reveal themselves to be one-year wonders with what transpires at INVESCO Field at Mile High, but they could go a long way in stamping themselves as quite real in this new season. The Broncos are a popular choice to make it to New Orleans for Super Bowl XXXVI and while the Giants are considered to be playoff worthy, few believe they can duplicate last year’s stunning 12-4 regular season and march through the post-season before reality hit hard in a 34-7 Super Bowl loss to the Ravens.

The team that accomplished so much in 2000 returns virtually intact and supposedly stronger, with the additions of Kenny Holmes at defensive end, Cornelius Griffin as a full-time starter at defensive tackle, Morten Andersen at kicker, a slimmed-down Ron Dayne in the backfield and a host of young, talented cornerbacks supplying enviable depth.

Once again, the Giants anticipate being led primarily by their defense, a unit that should have Jason Sehorn starting at right cornerback, although he will likely be slowed following a minor procedure on his right knee. It’s a unit that is in for a long evening contending with the Broncos’ versatile and potent attack. What the Broncos do best is run the ball and what the Giants do best is stop the run, setting the stage for a dramatic opening act.

On offense, the Giants get to see how Kerry Collins and Co. react the first time out of the gate after an offensive meltdown in Super Bowl XXXV. Denver has re-made its defense, signing big-name talent such as Denard Walker, Chester McGlockton and Leon Lett, and the task for the Giants is to remain calm and efficient amid the raucous conditions that await them.

“We’re not going to be able to work our way into the season,” said Jim Fassel, who is 4-0 in season openers.

“The altitude, we’re not prepared for that, No. 1,” added Williams, “and they’re going to have the crowd on their side in a new stadium, they’re going to be frantic, they’re going to be just real pumped up to see their team win in the first game in the new stadium. I’m sure the Broncos themselves have that in the back of their minds, that they don’t want to start off in a new stadium with a loss.”

In other words, the Giants know what they are getting themselves into. A deadly, but not impossible, situation.