The highly anticipated NFL Schedule release is finally official. Fans have known for a while who the opponents for the 2024 would be, just not when. Now that the dust has settled on the NFL draft, and rookie mini camps have wrapped up, all eyes are on the full NFL Schedule for the fall. The 2023 Giants had a bad start to the year and ultimately finished with a record of 6-11. Does this year’s schedule offer any glimmers of hope? There are three matchups this year worth taking a look into.
Week 2: At Washington
The Commanders Received a Facelift This Offseason
At first look, the Giants Schedule doesn’t look too daunting. In their first ten games before their bye week in week 11, only four of their opponents are playoff teams from a year ago. Their first road game of the season is against a familiar opponent, the Washington Commanders. The Giants have won their last three matchups versus Washington but have since revamped their team from top to bottom. It will be the home debut of electric rookie Quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The Commanders have added GM Adam Peters, and former Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, to help rebuild a franchise l0nging for success. Will the Giants continue to assert their dominance against Washington? Or will the new-look Commanders begin to put the league on notice with their new-look roster?
Week 7: Versus Philadelphia
Saquon Barkley’s Return
By now, emotions and overreactions have settled on Saquon’s Barkley decision to leave the Giants and sign with a hated rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a critical point in the Giants’ schedule. A bad start may put the season out of reach before October is over. Surprisingly, this isn’t a primetime game, the Giants were sandwiched in between hosting the Bengals on Sunday night football and traveling to Pittsburgh for a Monday Night game. The Giants need to prove that they have closed the gap with the Eagles. The defense will have their hands full dealing with the offensive firepower deployed by Philadelphia. Additionally, it is safe to wonder whether Daniel Jones will be the starting QB or if Drew Lock will be at that point. The tensions will be high for this divisional showdown.
Week 15: Versus Baltimore
Important Measuring Stick
The Giants’ schedule for the 2024 season is a bit different than years prior. After week 11 (their bye), the Giants’ final seven games only feature two divisional matchups. One intriguing matchup however is against the Baltimore Ravens, who were one game short of the Super Bowl last season. The Giants and Ravens met in 2022 which resulted in a thrilling 24-20 victory for New York. The Ravens have gone through some changes, they lost a handful of coaches in the offseason. One could wonder whether new coordinators will have an impact on their ceiling this season. If things go well for the Giants, they could be fighting for a playoff spot this late in the season. Many consider Baltimore one of the best teams in the AFC, can the Giants hold their own against them?
Despite the below-average season in 2023, NFL schedule makers awarded the Giants three primetime games, a Thanksgiving appearance, and an international game. The Giants’ schedule, which includes facing the AFC North and NFC South is a tough task. However, it presents a tremendous opportunity to measure how much they have closed the gap.
Main Photo: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
