With sports finally starting to be reintroduced into society, Last Word on Pro Football is breaking down the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. This series will consist of the most difficult (1-8) and easiest (9-16) games among each team’s 16-game slate. The focus for this article is the toughest games on the 2020 New York Giants schedule.
New York Giants Most Difficult Games in 2020
1. Week 16 at Baltimore Ravens
This will undoubtedly be the one of the Giants most difficult games during Joe Judge‘s rookie campaign. Playing the John Harbaugh led Baltimore Ravens on the road will prove to be the toughest challenge for a young Giants team. Lamar Jackson is coming off a historic season that saw him become the second unanimous MVP in NFL history. Not only do the Ravens have a top offense, but they also had the third best defense last season.
2. Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Early in the season, the reigning NFC champions will head to MetLife to take on the Giants. This will be another difficult matchup for New York. The San Francisco 49ers had a top five defense last season, so they will test second year quarterback Daniel Jones early and often. Hopefully this game is at least a coin toss like history shows (the Giants lead the series 25-24, including the post season, because this will prove to be a very difficult matchup.
3. Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The New York Giants will once again face Tom Brady. The Giants have always played Brady and his former team, the New England Patriots, hard, which resulted in two Super Bowl victories. However, Brady will now lead what could be one of the NFL’s most high powered offenses into MetLife. This game has the makings of a potential shootout, something opposing teams should want to avoid when playing Brady. If the Giants can get to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal caller early and often, they have a legitimate chance to win this game. Hopefully, the Giants induct Eli Manning into their ring of honor during halftime of this game, and that provides a spark for the Giants and rattles Brady.
4. Week 13 at Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, so it is no surprise the Seattle Seahawks will be one of the Giants tougher matchups in 2020. While Wilson may not win this game alone, Seattle’s offense has some weapons in Chris Carson, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf. And playing in Seattle makes it all the more difficult for opponents. This game has shootout potential as well.
5. Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams under performed last year. Todd Gurley became mortal and Jared Goff looked lost at times. However, the Rams still have one of the most talented offenses. Coached by Sean McVay, their offense can put up 50 points in any game. Along with a high powered offense, Aaron Donald leads a defense that includes playmakers such as Jalen Ramsey and John Johnson. This will prove to be a difficult matchup for Daniel Jones and the rest of the New York Giants.
6. Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Playing away from home is never easy. Defeating the Dallas Cowboys on the road seems to be nearly impossible for the Giants. The Giants have not beaten the Cowboys in Dallas since 2017. But the Cowboys will be playing under a new coach for the first time in almost a decade. Dak Prescott has yet to sign an extension, but all signs point to him being the starter Week 1 one way or another. This game has the potential to get very interesting very quickly.
7. Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Giants open up the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two of the oldest football teams will battle it out Week 1. Ben Roethlisberger is coming off an injury that saw him miss last season. However, the Steelers had a top five defense in 2019. This should be a low scoring defensive battle, staying true to both teams roots.
8. Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants have not won at “The Link” since 2013. The Giants have a history of losing on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. Eli Manning may have shown up in a big way when it mattered against the Patriots, but he could not beat the Eagles away from home. Daniel Jones has shown he can play, but the Eagles just retooled their weapons on offense so this will be a difficult matchup.
Click here for the New York Giants easiest games in 2020.
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