NFL schedule: Breaking down NY Giants’ path to return to playoffs

The Other Opponents

Los Angeles Rams

All-Time Record: Los Angeles Rams lead series 28-17

Last Meeting: 10/4/20 – NY Giants 9, Rams 17

2021 Meeting: Week 6 (Home)

Last year’s meeting with the Los Angeles Rams was an extremely frustrating loss.

The NY Giants out-gained the Rams 295-240 and had seven more minutes of possession, but couldn’t overcome five Rams’ sacks and a late Jones interception in the red zone.

After a blockbuster trade with the Lions, Matt Stafford is now running the show for the offense and will have some solid weapons in Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Cam Akers. Defensively, the Rams will bring back one of the best units in the NFL – one that was No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 3 in rush yards/game, No. 1 in pass yards/game, and No. 1 in total yards/game in 2020. Jalen Ramsey vs Kenny Golladay will be must-see TV. And Aaron Donald vs the young NY Giants OL will be one of the biggest keys to the game.

The Rams are the most complete team the NY Giants will face outside of Kansas City and Tampa Bay, and it is a game that could be a huge momentum builder if New York finds a way to come out on top.

Miami Dolphins

All-Time Record: New York Giants lead series 7-2

Last Meeting: 12/15/19 – NY Giants 36, Dolphins 20

2021 Meeting: Week 13 (Away)

In the 2019 meeting of these teams, Eli Manning had a fitting sendoff in what would be his final career home game as a NY Giant. The Dolphins were one of the worst teams in the league at that point, and two years later they’ve revamped their roster and are now a legitimate playoff contender. Again, the biggest question mark for them will lie in Tua Tagovailoa’s development in year two.

With DeVante Parker returning and the additions of Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle, Miami suddenly has one of the most explosive WR rooms in the NFL.

These wide outs vs the Giants secondary will be an extremely competitive matchup. This will be Big Blue’s second trip to Florida in three weeks, and at that point in the season it will be interesting to see if the level of play suffers because of it.

Chicago Bears

All-Time Record: Chicago Bears lead series 35-24-2

Last Meeting: 9/20/20 – NY Giants 14, Bears 19

2021 Meeting: Week 17 (Away)

This will be the fourth straight year these two teams will play, with the NY Giants having lost the last two meetings by nine combined points.

To me, this is one of the more interesting matchups the Giants will have in 2021.

While Andy Dalton is the starter as of now, it won’t be long until rookie Justin Fields is commanding the offense.

Similar to the Rams, while the Bears have a solid offense, it is their defense that makes them dangerous. Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack have given this offense fits the last two matchups. The LB trio of Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, and Robert Quinn will be one of the most athletic groups we see all year.

This game has historically been a defensive struggle, and I see no reason why it won’t be again this season. Week 17, in January, at Soldier Field – that just screams a 13-10 ball game. The motivation of having Chicago’s 2022 first round pick will also be an added storyline. Every Chicago loss is a huge Giants win this season.