As we’ve found out previously with the New York Giants, you can’t win the division in September, but you certainly can lose it.
Coming under the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” category, the New York Giants open up with the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m., according to the team’s official website. The ‘Boys are expected to be a strong contender, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, for the NFC East crown.
Meanwhile, Big Blue remains in a state of flux, and with so many new players surely populating the roster, the NFL schedule-makers sure didn’t provide an opening day lay up. Conversely, this clash provides a concrete measuring stick to see if the G-Men can compete for a playoff berth in 2019, or will severe growing pains still be on the horizon?
Per Giants.com:
"“It will be the fourth time in five years and the fifth time in seven seasons the Giants will open in AT&T Stadium, and the fifth consecutive season the Giants’ first road game will be in Dallas. And it is the sixth time in those seven seasons they will play in Dallas in the season’s first two weeks. Including a home game in 2012, the Giants will face the Cowboys in their opener for the sixth time in eight seasons.”"
For the New York Giants, the NFC East title runs through Dallas, at least initially, so instead of complaining, Big Blue needs to throw an immediate gut punch to Jerry Jones’ crew.
Per Giants.com
Overall, the first six games provide an opportunity to forge a solid foundation on the season, with winnable games against the Buffalo Bills (Sept. 15), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 22), and Washington Redskins (Sept. 29) The contests against the Bills and Redskins are at MetLife Stadium, while the team travels to Tampa Bay for the clash with the Bucs.
After that stretch of four games, difficult contests at home against the Minnesota Vikings (Oct. 6) and a prime time Thursday night contest at the New England Patriots (Oct. 10) follow. If Big Blue can come out of the opening six-week stretch with a 3-3 record, then almost anything can happen moving forward.
After the first six-pack of games, four matches before the bye week can either elevate the New York Giants into playoff contention, or subject them to another rebuilding campaign. Big Blue faces the Arizona Cardinals (Oct. 20) at home, and then travels to Motown to take on the Detroit Lions (Oct. 27) – both 1:00 p.m. starts.
A return match-up, at home against the Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 9) and a “road” game against the New York Jets (Nov. 10) close out the schedule before their Week 11 bye. The contest against Gang Green will mark the first clash of top 2018 draft picks running back Saquon Barkley (New York Giants) and quarterback Sam Darnold (New York Jets).
Gotham bragging rights are clearly at stake in what should be a raucous atmosphere at MetLife Stadium, as Big Blue seeks to take down Gang Green.
If the New York Giants can remain level at 5-5, over their first ten games, then a playoff berth will remain achievable. Obviously, a 6-4 record makes the situation even better, as the final stretch of six games appears to be more difficult.
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New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur has to break the hex that his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, has over Big Blue. The G-Men have lost five in row to the Birds, nine of 10 games, dating back to 2016, according to Pro Football Reference.
Quite honestly, the Giants deserved a better fate in their last two meetings at Lincoln Financial Field, and a split of the season series goes a long way to ensuring a playoff berth. Before the “Monday Night Football” contest against the Eagles in Philadelphia on Dec. 9, the Giants must deal with NFC North foes, the Chicago Bears (Nov. 24) and Green Bay Packers (Dec. 1).
The New York Giants travel to Soldier Field to take on da Bears, while Aaron Rodgers and the cheeseheads come to East Rutherford, both games are a 1:00 p.m. start. Weeks 15 and 16, against the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins respectfully, could be the magic elixir needed to stamp a playoff ticket for Big Blue.
Big Blue hosts the ‘Phins on Dec. 15 and then travel to the Nation’s Capital on Dec. 22. Both would seem to be critical, and winnable games for the G-Men. A post-Christmas close-out contest against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 29 concludes the 2019 regular season.
It seems likely that the final game will have playoff implications. The NFC East title may be at stake, or the New York Giants may be looking to punch their playoff ticket or knock the Birds out of the post-season party. In any event, it should be a good one.