The day came and went. On Wednesday, the New York Giants released their schedule for the 2024 season. We knew the team had one of the tougher schedules in the league based on their opponents’ strength of schedule (.516, according to Fox Sports). Now that we know who they will be playing every single week, let’s bring up some takeaways from the Giants’ 2024 schedule.
OUR 2024 SCHEDULE#Giants100 pic.twitter.com/FXhOrX3gdc
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 16, 2024
Rude Awakening To Rookie QB’s To Kick Off 2024
The New York Giants will open the season at home to start the 2024 season. They’ll welcome the Minnesota Vikings into town for week one, who will likely be led by rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy.
A common name brought up with the Giants, the team met with the former Michigan quarterback extensively throughout the draft process. In the end, New York decided to not reach for him and opted for wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick.
Selected tenth overall by the Vikings, McCarthy will have a chance to show the Giants brass why they made a mistake passing on him. But, it won’t be an easy task for the rookie. He will have to deal with a defense led by Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and newly acquired Brian Burns. A rude awakening, indeed.
Add in the last time Daniel Jones played the Vikings, it ended in a wild-card win. After a rough 2023, this could be the game for Jones to get his confidence back on track and start the season on the right foot.
After Minnesota, New York travels to Washington to take on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. The Giants have dominated them in years past, winning three of the past four matchups (one ended in a tie). In four games against the Commanders, Thibodeaux has dominated with 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He’ll look to feast on them again in week two.
Things Get Rough After Week Two
If New York wants to remain alive for a playoff spot, they must win the first two games. Weeks three through eight will be a tough stretch for the Giants. They’ll head to Cleveland in week three to face the Browns, before hosting the Cowboys in a quick turnaround four days later.
After them, the next four matchups consist of the Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles, and Steelers on Monday Night in week eight.
If New York can scrape up a few wins during this stretch, it will do wonders toward their chances at a playoff spot. Realistically, at the moment, all six of those matchups could be chalked as a loss.
Five Primetime/Notable Games
For the 2024 season, New York is selected to appear in five notable games. It starts in week four against Dallas on Thursday night. The Bengals game in week six will be a Sunday night game. Then, it’s the Steelers in week eight on Monday night. After that, it’s the Panthers in week ten (which will take place in Germany.
New York plays in another primetime game in week 13, which is another Thursday game against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
If the New York Giants want to show the world they shouldn’t be overlooked, winning some or all of these games will be proof they’re not afraid of the big stage.
Any Easy Stretches?
If New York can escape the tough stretch to start the season, they can take advantage of the weaker opponents on their schedule after. The matchups in weeks nine and ten are winnable games against the Commanders and Panthers, respectively.
After a bye week, they welcome in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then, after the second Dallas matchup, they’re at home for the next two against the Saints and Ravens (led by Lamar Jackson, whose lone loss in the NFC came at the hands of the Giants in 2022).
Atlanta and Indianapolis are the next two opponents after that. Out of these matchups, it’s not crazy to say the team escapes with a 6-2 record during this stretch.
Week 18
Considering the scenarios above, New York would enter week 18 with an 8-8 record. Their opponent in the last week of the season? The Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Depending on the situation, this may be a must-win for the Giants if the standings fall their way and they have a chance to make the postseason with a win. Consider the fact Philadelphia may have their starters resting during this game (if they clinched a spot and/or the number one seed), and this could be a winnable game that puts the Giants back in the postseason.
Regardless, a divisional opponent like Philadelphia is something you don’t take lightly. New York dominated the Eagles in their last matchup (27-10 in week 18 of 2023), and will look to have that same success this upcoming season.
In The End
The New York Giants have a tough schedule ahead of them. It’s tough to see them winning more than ten games this year. However, expect the unexpected. No one saw the Giants making the playoffs in 2022. If they can replicate that success this year, they’ll be back in the postseason for the second time in three years.
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Featured Image: Al Bello/Getty Images
