The NFL regular season finally kicks off this week. The New York Giants kick off their 2023 season on Sunday night, when they welcome the Dallas Cowboys on prime time. With Big Blue looking to improve on their 9-7-1 record from last year, here are the top five matchups for the New York Giants to look forward to.
5. Green Bay Packers, 12/11
Sure, this game is in week 14. But, on Monday night at home, this is a game the Giants should win.
Let’s be honest: the Packers have limited proven weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Jordan Love may not have played like the franchise quarterback Green Bay hoped he would be. The Giants’ defense will send the blitz on him and could make his night miserable.
More importantly, it’s not about how good or bad Green Bay may be by then. With the game being late in the season, it’s critical that the Giants win matchups like these down the stretch. New York face their division rivals in Philadelphia twice in the last five weeks, so they need all the wins they can get.
4. Dallas Cowboys, 9/10
Another prime time game. But, this one is extremely important. What better way to show what you’re about than opening the season with a win against your division rival.
The Giants haven’t beaten Dak Prescott since his rookie year in 2016. In fact, the Giants’ most recent win against the Cowboys was in 2021 when Andy Dalton was under center.
New York’s defense has been upgraded this offseason, with the addition of Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins III at the cornerback position. Let’s forget about the trade for Isaiah Simmons, who improves the linebacker corps along with free agent Bobby Okereke. This may be the best defense New York has had in years.
The reason why I mention the defense is because the Cowboys always seem to have their way offensively. They added Brandin Cooks at receiver, who will be opposite of Ceedee Lamb. Running back Tony Pollard showed he’s a better playmaker than Ezekiel Elliott. If the Giants want to beat Prescott, limiting big plays from those three guys will be pivotal.
Daniel Jones will have to worry about Micah Parsons when he’s leading the offense. Can Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal make sure this dominant pass-rusher doesn’t cause too much damage? We’ll see.
In all, beating Dallas in week one will be a big morale boost to start the year. A loss would continue the narrative of the Giants not being able to beat Dak Prescott until possibly week 10 (where they’ll face them again but in Dallas).
3. San Francisco 49ers, 9/21
Okay, we get it. I’m mentioning prime time games left and right. But, this early matchup is definitely one to watch.
Taking place on Thursday night in Santa Clara, New York will have to deal with a team full of studs on both sides of the ball. Guys like Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel on offense. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner on defense. What a headache.
But, they’re not unstoppable. Quarterback is a big question mark. Brock Purdy may not be 100% by then. Even if he is, there’s film on him now and how to stop him. Not allowing McCaffrey to hurt you on the receiving end will be important, which is why trading for Isaiah Simmons is so important. He is the best linebacker to keep up with the speedy back.
The 49ers were the second-best rush defense last season. But, they ranked 20th in pass defense. This could be a game where Daniel Jones shines. If he does against this stingy 49ers defense, the doubters may begin to rethink their thoughts on the franchise quarterback. Don’t think that Saquon Barkley will be forgotten about in this game. He can make plays with his hands too.
All I want to say is this: Jones to Darren Waller may be the key in this one.
2. Philadelphia Eagles, 1/7
Either game against this divisional rival can be considered as highly anticipated. But, this week 18 matchup could mean the difference between making the playoffs or going home.
Look, maybe the Giants clinched their spot in the playoffs before this game. It happened last season when they beat the Colts at home in week 17. There was no point in playing their starters in the last game, which was ironically also against the Eagles. This scenario could happen again this season.
But, we have to consider the other scenario of this being a must-win game. The Eagles are always a tough matchup for Big Blue, and they just came off a Super Bowl appearance last season.
Jalen Hurts will have an MVP season. He will have a new running back in D’Andre Swift by his side. A.J. Brown had another offseason to build chemistry with Hurts, so that’s dangerous as it is.
That’s not all. This offseason, they got better defensively through the draft (Jalen Carter) and they resigned their top corners in James Bradberry and Darius Slay. Stressful, indeed.
This Giants team will have to be laser-focused when they take on their Philadelphia rival. One or two mistakes, and they can kiss a win out the window. A win or loss could mean the difference between making a second consecutive playoff appearance and a failed season.
1. New York Jets, 10/29
The MetLife Bowl. Do I need say more? A win against the Aaron Rodgers and the Jets will prove to the NFL world the Giants still rule the Meadowlands. JetLife Stadium? It’ll be GiantLife Stadium if Big Blue gets the victory.
With this game on CBS, they better have Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call. Tell me this won’t be the best game on the schedule in week eight.
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Featured image: Mike Stobe/Getty Images
