24 Questions in 24 Days: Giants 2024 schedule preview

John Schmeelk: I feel obligated to start this answer by pointing out that breaking down the schedule in July is an imperfect analysis. When you play an opponent is just as important as the actual opponent. Last year, for example, I had the Jets game in October circled as one of the toughest games of the year. Then, Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles tendon, and that was no longer the case. In other words, things can change quickly.

With that said, it will be imperative for the Giants to play well and win their first two games of the season at home against the Vikings and at the Commanders because the subsequent schedule is a tough road. From Weeks 3 through 8, the Giants play six teams that either made the playoffs last season or finished over .500. The Seahawks (9-8) and Bengals (9-8) are the two teams that missed the postseason, with the Seahawks hiring Mike McDonald as their new head coach and the Bengals potentially having Joe Burrow healthy for most of the season.

Starting 2-0 would give the Giants the cushion they need to in those six games. It would put them at .500 with their two games before the bye against the Commanders and Panthers, two teams that had records worse than the Giants last season.

The final seven games after the bye feature only two division games (both on the road against Dallas and Philly) and four home games. It includes three games against NFC South teams (Bucs and Saints at home, Falcons on the road) and one against the Colts, none of which are teams that most experts predict to challenge for a Super Bowl this season. The Ravens game on December 15^th might be the toughest on the schedule.

At early glance, the 2024 schedule is not nearly as tough as the 2023 schedule looked at this time last year. The trick, of course, is that the Giants have to play well enough to take advantage of it.