A best-case scenario for the New York Giants in 2024 could very well be mediocrity.
It felt like 2022, a run to the playoffs, was a sham after they won just six games last season. However, the roster has been tweaked in most areas, excluding the quarterback position and the secondary.
A step forward will be necessary, though, in order for the organization to remain confident in Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll. The offense should be more explosive, the offensive line should be more reliable, and the defensive line could be one of the more imposing groups in the league.
Will that be enough, though?
Giants 2024 schedule, picks
Week 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings
- When: Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET
- Pick: Win
- Why: The juice that comes with opening the season at home will be just enough for the Giants to squeak out a win over Sam Darnold and the Vikings.
- Record: 1-0
Week 2 at Washington Commanders
- When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: While the Commanders have continuously been a punching bag for the Giants, allowing them to take some solace in not being the worst team in the NFC East, things will start to change. New York gets a front-row seat at rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the LSU Heisman Trophy winner that they were linked to during the pre-draft process.
- Record: 1-1
Week 3 at Cleveland Browns
- When: Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: Playoff teams are going to beat the Giants this season. The Browns are going to be just that whether Deshaun Watson or Jameis Winston is under center.
- Record: 1-2
Week 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys
- When: Thursday, Sept. 26, 8:15 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: The unnecessary need to put Giants/Cowboys on primetime continues. Perhaps it is to make the Cowboys look good to a national audience. Regardless, the Giants might be watching their future quarterback, Dak Prescott, tear them apart if things fall their way next offseason. Prescott doesn’t have a contract yet and his relationship with the Cowboys certainly seems tense.
- Record: 1-3
Week 5 at Seattle Seahawks
- When: Sunday, Oct. 6, 4:25 p.m.
- Pick: Win
- Why: The Giants rarely do well in Seattle, but the extra prep period after playing on Thursday night against the Cowboys could help them pull out their second win of the season, especially if the desperation of facing a 1-4 start exists.
- Record: 2-3
Week 6 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- When: Sunday, Oct. 13, 8:20 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: The Giants’ offense could have a nice night against the Cincinnati defense, but Joe Burrow is back and the Bengals should be able to outscore Big Blue even at MetLife Stadium.
- Record: 2-4
Week 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- When: Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: Philadelphia had beaten the Giants five straight times before a shocking upset in Week 18 last year amidst the Eagles’ befuddling tailspin. Nick Sirianni’s men have a lot to prove after such a disappointing finish, but they should still be battling with Dallas for the top spot in the NFC East.
- Record: 2-5
Week 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers
- When: Monday, Oct. 28, 8:15 p.m.
- Pick: Win
- Why: This could be seen as the start of the “get-right” portion of the Giants’ schedule. The Steelers’ future at quarterback is uncertain, especially with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. If that plays out into the middle of the season, it could come at a perfect time for the Giants to eke out a win over a strong Pittsburgh defense.
- Record: 3-5
Week 9 vs. Washington Commanders
- When: Sunday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Win
- Why: The Giants have no business being swept by the Commanders in the season series and should get a win at home here, especially because Washington’s defense should not be very good this year.
- Record: 4-5
Week 10 vs. Carolina Panthers
- When: Sunday, Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m. (game in Munich)
- Pick: Win
- Why: International games like this always throw an added twist into things, but the Panthers will be one of the worst teams in football this season and the Giants can’t pass up the opportunity to claw back to .500.
- Record: 5-5
Week 11 BYE WEEK
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- When: Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: I would expect the Buccaneers to take a step forward after their fun run to the playoffs and an upset of the Eagles in the process. The Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans connection will prove too much against the Giants’ secondary. A down performance after a bye week feels like a certainty every year.
- Record: 5-6
Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys
- When: Thursday, Nov. 28, 4:30 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: Having the Giants fly out to Dallas just to get beaten by the Cowboys on Thanksgiving seems cruel.
- Record: 5-7
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
- When: Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Win
- Why: The Saints have been lacking that “it” factor ever since Drew Brees left and while Derek Carr is a gamer, I think this is a team on the cusp of a major overhaul.
- Record: 6-7
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens
- When: Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: Derrick Henry against the Giants’ front line is going to be a really fun battle to watch, but Lamar Jackson’s ability to extend the play is going to wreak havoc against the Giants’ secondary.
- Record: 6-8
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
- When: Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m.
- Pick: Loss
- Why: The NFC South feels like a two-horse race between Atlanta and the Buccaneers. The Falcons made some solid moves this offseason, headlined by the acquisition of Kirk Cousins. This is a team that could flirt with 10 wins.
- Record: 6-9
Week 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts
- When: Sunday, Dec. 29, TBD
- Pick: Win
- Why: The Colts are not quite there yet despite being in the mix as the second-best team in the AFC South behind the Texans. While they will be in the playoff hunt, this has trap game written all over it as their matchup with the Giants is sandwiched between divisional matchups against the Titans and Jaguars.
- Record: 7-9
Week 18 at Philadelphia Eagles
- When: Sunday, Jan. 5, TBD
- Pick: Loss
- Why: There will be no repeat of last year’s Week 18 upset against the Eagles this time around.
- Record: 7-10
