There was an uncommon quantity of optimism across the Giants this offseason. They lastly upgraded at quarterback. They even discovered one for the long run. Additionally they spent some huge cash on their protection after which landed the very best defensive participant within the draft.
All of it factors to a greater crew in 2025 and a brighter future for the embattled duo of coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen.
No less than it will if the Giants did not have the NFL’s most troublesome schedule in 2025.
This struggling franchise, in determined want of a aggressive season, drew the hardest slate within the league, at the very least primarily based on final 12 months’s data. The Giants play 10 video games towards 2024 playoff groups, and 6 of these video games come within the first eight weeks of the season.
They’re arrange for a brutal begin that would flip right into a depressing first half and may simply result in their tenth season of double-digit losses up to now 12 years. And that would occur even when they’re a much-improved crew — particularly on protection — from the model that went 3-14 final 12 months.
Possibly they’ll someway do sufficient to place co-owner John Mara within the higher temper he stated he must be in on the finish of this season with a purpose to carry the Schoen-Daboll duo again for one more run. However Mara may need to look past wins and losses to seek out his happiness.
As a result of the schedule is simply plain ugly. Right here’s a game-by-game look … in the event you dare:
Week 1: at Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 7
NYG +230, WSH -285
The sound you’ll hear within the Giants’ locker room can be like a balloon releasing all of its air. By the tip of the summer time, they’ll be feeling nice about their possibilities, boasting about their protection and believing deeply within the abilities of Russell Wilson. Then they’ll run down I-95 and proper into this very massive buzzsaw.
Outcome: Loss, 0-1 file
Week 2: at Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 14
NYG +160, DAL -192
Sending the Giants on the street towards two division groups to start out the season appears unfair. Then once more, their whole schedule appears unfair. If the Giants can regroup, although, this sport can be an attention-grabbing check for his or her loaded go rush, now that includes No. 3 general decide Abdul Carter. If they’ll get to Dak Prescott, they’ll have an opportunity. If not, it might be ugly. And by the best way, that is in all probability the best of New York’s first 4 video games.
Outcome: Loss, 0-2
Week 3: vs. Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 21
NYG +230, KC -285
Critically, a house opener towards the dynastic crew of the previous decade? Who made this schedule, Jerry Jones? It’s unhealthy sufficient that the Giants must limp house with diminished expectations, however to not even give them a homecoming-type opponent is simply merciless. On the brilliant aspect, I assume it’s an ideal alternative to re-energize their depleted fan base in the event that they someway pull off this miracle.
Outcome: Loss, 0-3
Week 4: vs. Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 28
NYG +145, LAC -175
If there’s one factor that Jim Harbaugh certainly realized throughout his school teaching years, it’s how one can kick an opponent when it’s down. The excellent news for the Giants is that is in all probability the least explosive offense they’ve confronted to this point, in order that they’ll probably be within the sport. However they’ll have to hope for both a Justin Herbert meltdown or for Harbaugh to be outcoached by Daboll. Neither appears probably.
Outcome: Loss, 0-4
Week 5: at Saints, Sunday, Oct. 5
NYG -122, NO +102
Whew. Lastly, a smooth spot. And, in fact, it’s on the street and in a stadium that’s typically one of many loudest, most intimidating buildings within the league. Nonetheless, given the Saints’ quarterback scenario — presumably rookie Tyler Shough can be beginning — the Giants’ go rush ought to have a discipline day. If it would not … effectively, at the very least the Bourbon Road bars keep open late.
Outcome: Win, 1-4
RELATED: Can Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough fill void left by Derek Carr’s retirement?
Week 6: vs. Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9
NYG +245, PHI -305
OK, effectively, that break within the schedule was good. For punishment, the Giants get the Tremendous Bowl champs on a brief week. At this level, even Jerry Jones needs to be pondering, “What did we do to these poor guys?” The Giants, by the best way, have misplaced seven of their final eight to Philly, 15 of their final 18, and 19 of their final 23 since 2014. This can be extra of the identical.
Outcome: Loss, 1-5
Week 7: at Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 19
NYG +260, DEN -325
Of all of the playoff groups the Giants face, the Broncos is perhaps probably the most weak and beatable for them, with a really younger quarterback presumably vulnerable to their go rush. So in fact they must go face them on the street. However in some unspecified time in the future, the Giants must win certainly one of these unattainable video games, proper? … Proper?!? …
Outcome: Win, 2-5
Week 8: at Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 26
NYG +380, PHI -500
Hey, look, Philly’s again for one more spherical, simply to verify the Giants don’t construct any momentum in the event that they pull off the upset in Denver. You understand what’s attention-grabbing about this sport? It falls someday wanting the twelfth anniversary of the final time the Giants received in Philadelphia, on Oct. 27, 2013. The Eagles have been quarterbacked by Matt Barkley and what was left of Michael Vick that day. The Giants have gone 0-12 there since.
Outcome: Loss, 2-6
Week 9: vs. 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 2
NYG +150, SF -180
The Giants went 1-8 at house final 12 months and if they need anybody to even take into consideration shopping for tickets to see them late within the season, they’re going to must throw their followers a bone in some unspecified time in the future. No, they’re not higher than the 49ers. However the 49ers did some rebuilding within the offseason and might be beatable if New York’s protection has a day.
Outcome: Win, 3-6
Week 10: at Bears, Sunday, Nov. 9
NYG +180, CHI -218
This seems like a nasty opponent for the Giants (I do know … aren’t all of them?). The Bears loaded up within the offseason, particularly alongside the offensive line. They’ve acquired a younger, cellular quarterback who figures to be much-improved. They’ve acquired a brand new head coach identified for his sensible offensive thoughts. Possibly the Giants’ protection has a shot if Caleb Williams continues his struggles. However that looks as if a protracted shot.
Outcome: Loss, 3-7
Week 11: vs. Packers, Sunday, Nov. 16
NYG +164, GB -198
The NFC North was the very best division within the NFL final season, so, in fact, that’s who the Giants play this 12 months. And, in fact, the schedule-makers load up the very best North groups early within the second half, simply to verify the Giants are buried earlier than December. The Packers are a authentic Tremendous Bowl contender. The Giants … should not.
Outcome: Loss, 3-8
Week 12: at Lions, Sunday, Nov. 23
NYG +310, DET -395
It may’ve been worse, I assume. This might’ve been the Thanksgiving sport so a nationwide TV viewers may watch the carnage. Actually, if the Giants someway survive this two-game swing with their season intact, all of us owe Schoen and Daboll an apology. If not … effectively, perhaps it’s time to start out excited about subsequent 12 months.
Outcome: Loss, 3-9
Week 13: at Patriots, Monday, Dec. 1
NYG +130, NE -155
It’s not 2026 but, however at this level all eyes in New York must be on it. If the Giants actually are 3-9 at this level (actually, that appears uncharacteristically optimistic for me), this is able to be the right spot to unwrap Quarterback of the Future Jaxson Dart. And in the event you assume successful his first sport as a rookie on the street is an excessive amount of … effectively, Daniel Jones did it in 2019. Yeah, I do know, that’s in all probability not the comparability Giants followers needed.
Outcome: Win, 4-9
On the NFL Rookie Premiere occasion in Might, Jaxson Dart obtained a signed jersey and video message from former Giants QB and fellow Ole Miss Insurgent Eli Manning. (Courtesy of Fanatics)
RELATED: Inside Brian Daboll’s plan to turn Jaxson Dart into a star and save his own career
Week 14: Bye
Week 15: vs. Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 14
NYG +164, WSH -198
What, you have been anticipating the Giants would get some momentum heading into the bye week with a win? Truly, the late bye feels just like the black cherry on the highest of this poison sundae of a schedule, particularly for the reason that Giants in all probability wanted the bye in Week 3. However at the very least they’ll have had two full weeks to relaxation and examine up on how one can beat probably the greatest groups within the NFC … which in fact they’ll’t do.
Outcome: Loss, 4-10
Week 16: vs. Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 21
NYG +110, MIN -130
If Dart is taking part in at this level, this sport can be an ideal showdown between the younger quarterback the Giants took this 12 months, and the one they handed on final 12 months (J.J. McCarthy). If Dart is not taking part in, this sport will really feel like a demise march by way of a really empty stadium. Both manner, the large benefit goes to McCarthy and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.
Outcome: Loss, 4-11
Week 17: at Raiders, Flex Sport
NYG +110, LV -130
If Dart isn’t taking part in on this sport, he’s both harm or the Giants have determined he’s not what they thought he was. As a result of by this level, there isn’t any manner their season isn’t over, which implies there’s completely no cause to be losing time with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. By this level, for the sake of Mara’s temper, Schoen and Daboll want to indicate him a glimpse of a greater future. In opposition to a nasty Raiders crew with their very own future quarterback points, Mara could get it.
Outcome: Win, 5-11
Week 18: vs. Cowboys, Flex Sport
NYG +102, DAL -122
It’s all about subsequent season now. On the brilliant aspect, the stadium received’t be empty. Loads of individuals will come for a glimpse of Dart. And the opposite 75 p.c of the tickets will go to Cowboys followers. If Dallas has locked up its playoff seeding, Brian Schottenheimer won’t play the starters. If the Cowboys are taking part in for one thing, there’s at all times the possibility that they choke. The true focus, in fact, can be on the proprietor’s field, the place everybody will need to take Mara’s temperature to see if Schoen and Daboll have earned one other 12 months, or if he plans on cleansing his crumbling home but once more.
Outcome: Win
Ultimate file prediction: 6-11
The true disgrace of this Giants season is that if they’d a schedule that was just a bit simpler — perhaps simply two or three extra soft-ish video games — they’d have a shot to actually present some authentic enchancment. They need to get a lot better quarterback play. Their offensive line must be higher. They’ve actually upgraded their protection, too. However they’re making an attempt to dig out of a 3-14 gap towards a fully brutal, punishing schedule that hardly provides them a break alongside the best way.
The Giants can be a greater crew, however the progress can be incremental. And that’s a giant downside for Schoen and Daboll, who’re sitting on extremely popular seats. Mara goes to must determine whether or not he desires to look previous one other ugly file and attempt to promote his disillusioned fan base on hard-to-see progress, or whether or not he desires to bear one more franchise overhaul.
It’ll be a tricky name, and this schedule received’t make any of it simple. Or fairly. Or enjoyable.
Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent the earlier six years masking the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years masking the Giants and the NFL for the New York Every day Information. Comply with him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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