NFC East Schedule Analysis: Giants
With the NFL finally releasing the 256-game regular-season slate for 2020, it’s time to look ahead and predict how teams will fare. Here is this year’s schedule analysis for the New York Giants.
Last Year’s Record: 4-12
With the addition of former Patriots’ assistant Joe Judge, the Giants are one of three NFC East teams with a new head coach. Similarly to the Redskins, the Giants also have a first-round QB entering his second year in Daniel Jones. After showing some promise in his first season, can Jones help the Giants make the leap?
Schedule
Week 1
vs. Pittsburgh (9/14, 8:15pm)
Week 2
@ Chicago (9/20, 1:00pm)
Week 3
vs. San Francisco (9/27, 1:00pm)
Week 4
@ LA Rams (10/4, 4:05pm)
Week 5
@ Dallas (10/11, 4:25pm)
Week 6
vs. Washington (10/18, 1:00pm)
Week 7
@ Philadelphia (10/22, 8:20pm)
Week 8
vs. Tampa Bay (11/2, 8:15pm)
Week 9
@ Washington (11/08, 1:00pm)
Week 10
vs. Philadelphia (11/15. 1:00pm)
Week 11
BYE
Week 12
@ Cincinnati (11/29, 1:00pm)
Week 13
@ Seattle (12/6, 4:05pm)
Week 14
vs. Arizona (12/13, 1:00pm)
Week 15
vs. Cleveland (12/20, 1:00pm)
Week 16
@ Baltimore (12/27, 1:00pm)
Week 17
vs. Dallas (1/3, 1:00pm)
Most Intriguing Game: Week 15 vs. Cleveland
The Browns and the Giants engaged in the single biggest trade of the 2019 offseason. In that deal, superstar receiver Odell Beckham headed to Cleveland in exchange for a first-rounder, a third-rounder, and a promising young safety in Jabrill Peppers. Around that time, the teams also conducted another deal that sent DE Olivier Vernon to the Browns and OG Kevin Zeitler to the Giants. If that wasn’t enough drama, famously outspoken Browns QB Baker Mayfield also ripped the Giants for their selection of Daniel Jones in last year’s draft. There are chips on everyone’s shoulder; who will get the last laugh?
Most Important Game: Week 17 vs. Dallas
In a best-case scenario, the Giants are still alive for a wildcard spot in the last week of the regular season. If this scenario somehow takes place, they would need to beat the Cowboys, a team very likely to be fighting for the same spot.
Most Important Stretch: Weeks 4-8
Three consecutive divisional games sandwiched by two matchups against playoff contenders? Easily the most crucial stretch of the season for the Giants. This five-game span is going to make or break their 2020 campaign. A loss in any of those games could come back to haunt New York later. Beating the Redskins is a must, and they should hope to beat either the Eagles or Cowboys as well. If they can add another win against the Rams or Buccaneers, they’d put themselves into a fantastic position heading into another matchup against Washington.
Prediction:
The Giants have the least proven coach in the NFC East, and we still haven’t seen success from former Bill Belichick assistants. Daniel Jones will either be the third- or fourth-best QB in the division, and his squad doesn’t have the talent that the others do. A potential 0-3 start against the Steelers, Bears, and 49ers will sink them early, and I see them going 1-5 in the division, splitting with Washington and getting swept by the Cowboys and Eagles. They’ll surprise the Rams, and beat one of the Bengals/Browns, but the rest of the schedule is just too much for New York. Luckily for Joe Judge, he’ll have a long leash as a first-year head coach. The Giants will likely go 3-13 in 2020.
Scheduling information comes from the Giants’ official website, and statistics come from Pro Football Reference.
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