The 2016 NFL schedules have been out for a few months now and the New York Giants were thankful to receive the second easiest schedule, based on last years opponents’ record. While that sounds great, it really means nothing, as teams such a Dallas, New Orleans, and the Los Angeles Rams, should be better than their 2015 records showed and improved in 2016. As mentioned, the Giants have a somewhat favorable schedule, but they do have to face a few tough defensive and offensive units. You know that teams such as Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and (a healthy…keyword, HEALTHY) Dallas will be top offenses in the league. Teams like L.A., Cincinnati, and Minnesota should also have some of the best defensive units around the league. The real question is, who is the toughest match-up for Big Blue, and why?
As for the best offense, I believe that it will be very tough for the Giants to slow down the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a dynamic three-headed monster in Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and LeVeon Bell, and they have a solid argument to being the best offense in the entire NFL. Big Ben and Eli Manning will forever be linked as they were both drafted in 2004, and both have two Super Bowl rings.
Roethlisberger had a fantastic year last year, although he only played in 12 games while dealing with some injuries. He still threw for 3,938 yards and 21 touchdowns. However, he did throw 16 interceptions, tied for the third most in the NFL in 2015. He has quite a reliable core surrounding him with arguably, the best wide-out in the league in Antonio Brown and a top three running back in LeVeon Bell.
Brown is absolutely unstoppable, as he racked up 136 receptions, tied for the most in the NFL with the Falcons’ Julio Jones. His 1,834 receiving was second in the league to Jones again, and he had ten 10 touchdowns to his credit. LeVeon Bell may be the most dynamic running back in the league with his ability to both run and catch the football. His vision may the best I have ever seen and his ability to cut on a dime is unmatched throughout the NFL. The only knock on Bell is his inability to stay on the field, either due to injuries or suspension for violating the anti-drug policy, which we saw rear its ugly head this week. Bell is currently facing a four-game suspension. While I believe that the Steelers have the best offense out of the Giants 2016 opponents, teams like the Packers and Dallas, could make a very solid argument as well.
On the other side of the football, the toughest defense the Giants will face will either be Cincinnati, Los Angeles, or Minnesota. I’m going to give the very slight edge to the Cincinnati Bengals. In my opinion, the Minnesota Vikings are just as good, and could very well be better than the Bengals. The Bengals actually had better numbers in almost every defensive category, with the biggest being a plus-11 turnover differential, which was third in the NFL. The Bengals finished with 42 sacks and only allowed a second best, 17.4 points per game. They have one of the best defensive lines in the league with Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap, whom combined for 24.5 sacks in 2015, leading the way.
The Bengals’ biggest weakness was pass defense, ranking 20th in the league, and they did lose their starting Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson to the Oakland Raiders. Nelson was tied with Chiefs’ rookie, Marcus Peters for the most interceptions in the NFL with eight, which means that the Giants will most likely be looking to air the ball out a lot against a tough run defense. Thankfully, the Giants get to face Cincy at home, but on Monday Night Football, where being on the big stage sometimes give the Giants trouble.