New York Giants 2016 Schedule Announced, Big Blue Will Go 14-2 With Homefield Advantage In The Playoffs
By Neal Lynch
Week 9: Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, November 6th, 1 p.m. (FOX)
The Eagles are now 5-1 vs. the Giants in MetLife Stadium. The last win came in the 2012 regular season finale when the G-Men won 42-7. The last two home games have been competitive, albeit completely meaningless. The other two losses were against Vince Young in 2011 and the New Miracle at the Meadowlands in 2010. The slump ends with this early November date.
Sam Bradford is mistake-prone, yet was signed to a new contract then backup quarterback Chase Daniel was acquired while previous backup Mark Sanchez signed with the Denver Broncos. DeMarco Murray was traded to the Tennessee Titans, paving the way for the Eagles to pick Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott hasn’t sounded too high on playing for Philadelphia, instead predicting a Super Bowl trip for the Giants if Big Blue selects him.
Philadelphia is still poor at the wide receiver position. They signed Giants traitor Rueben Randle – whom I expect will bring an umbrella back to his old stomping ground to weather all the boos raining down on him – and former Rams wideout Chris Givens. Sure, Bradford was plagued by drops, but the new duo ain’t much better holding on to the ball. Gonna be turnovers galore for the Iggles.
PREDICTION: WIN (7-1)
Week 10: Giants vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, November 14th at 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
The last time the Bengals visited the swamps of East Rutherford was September 2008 when the Giants eked out a three point overtime victory, 26-23, thanks to 289 passing yards and a touchdown from Eli Manning and 80 rushing yards on nine carries from Derrick Ward. The Giants are 3-0 against Cincinnati at home, but have only outscored the Bengals by a total of 12 points over those three contests. We should see yet another close contest in this one and, to be honest, this could very easily be a loss.
PREDICTION: WIN (8-1)
Week 11: Giants vs. Chicago Bears
Sunday, November 20th at 1 p.m. (FOX)
Last time the Bears paid a visit on Oct. 3, 2010, they paid dearly as the Giants pass rush churned out 10 sacks and went through three Chicago quarterbacks in a 17-3 win. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora led the way with 3 sacks a piece while Ahmad Bradshaw added 129 yards on the ground.
Since the Giants postseason win over the Bears in January 1991 at the old Giants Stadium, Big Blue has only hosted Chicago four times, going 1-3 in that span.
Prior to free agency, the Bears were in a pretty bad place, but since then they’ve spent a lot of available cap space on franchise tagging big wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, and signing former Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan, former Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman, former Chiefs linebacker LaMarr Houston, Cardinals tackle Bobby Massie, cornerback Tracy Porter, and D-lineman Akiem Hicks.
While I don’t see Jay Cutler’s offense winning this game, I do see the Giants having fits with Chicago’s D. Not to mention former Giants safety Antrel Rolle will be looking to make his old ‘mates regret letting him walk.
If the Giants lose to the Bengals the week before, they win this one. I can’t see the team losing back-to-back games at home.
PREDICTION: LOSS (8-2)
Week 12: Giants at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, November 27th at 1 p.m. (FOX)
The last Giants game in Cleveland was on Oct. 13, 2008, when the Browns handed the G-Men their first loss of the season in a Monday night game, 35-14. Eli threw 3 picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
But, the Browns are an absolute mess. Though, RG3 gives them a better chance to win, they still have way too many holes and let too many good players walk for them to come up with the upset win. Sure, I could see Cleveland giving Big Blue a run for their money because of being overlooked, but the Giants have won five of the past 6 games, going 2-1 in the Dawg Pound with each win by multiple scores.
PREDICTION: WIN (10-1)
Next: THE HOME STRETCH