We all rememeber where we were when Daniel Jones and the NY Giants agreed to a 4-year, $160 million deal. Jones had a nice season putting up 3,200+ yards, 15 touchdowns and only five interceptions, but that contract definitely made some jaws drop.
The Giants brass believes they have their guy and Jones is now the coveted $40 million man. Now, Jones and the Giants certainly have high expectations leading up to next season. Which version of Danny Dimes will show up?
For Jones, fans are hoping he'll stay consistent and record several big games. Now that the 2023 schedule is out, it's time to take a look at the games Jones should have no problem with in leading his team to victory:
5. Week 1 vs. the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are no joke. They have talent all over the field and one of, if not the best, defensive players in the league in Micah Parsons. The Giants have the third toughest schedule in 2023 and the Cowboys are probably a big reason for that.
There are many "weaker" teams to choose from when you take a deep dive into Giants' opponents, but the reason this is game is dubbed inexcusable is simple. The Giants are 1-12 against the Cowboys since the start of the 2017 campaign.
This is supposed to be a rivalry and the Cowboys have had Big Blue's number. The one win may not even count to some because it was when Dak Prescott was injured and Andy Dalton was under center. So, why is is this an inexcusable one for for Jones? He can prove right away he was worth the paycheck.
He can kill two birds with one stone durring the first game of the season. Not only has Jones been bad against the Cowboys, but his primetime numbers aren't great either. And you guessed it, Week 1 against the Cowboys is the Sunday Night Football game.
Talk about an opportunity to make a statement. Make this matchup a rivalry again and shine under the birght lights with the whole country watching. If we get a Jones stinker, you can probably already hear the "they paid this guy how much?!" comments from all the talking heads.
4. Week 14 vs. the Green Bay Packers
Another chance for Jones to excersise the primetime demons. The Monday night game in Week 14 pits the Giants against against the Green Bay Packers. Only this time, they aren't going across the pond.
Jones was critical in leading the Giants to a comeback win in London against the Packers in 2022. This is the point where people all over the country started to take the Giants and Jones seriously. You're able to mount a comeback against Aaron Rodgers? You'll earn respect.
This time around, Jones won't be looking to out battle a certified Hall of Famer, but a guy who is trying to fill the shoes of one. Jordan Love is the guy for the Packers now and it becomes a must-win for the Giants. You're at home against a young quarterback, you've won against this defense last year - simply do it again.
You do have to give the Packers their respect. They were one of the best pass-defenses in the league last year. However, you have to think that defensive unit will be asked to do most of the heavy lifting with Love calling the shots on offense. Jones has handled this defense before and he can do it again. It may not be pretty, but it's a match up he and the Giants have to win.
3. Week 4 vs. the Seattle Seahawks
The third primetime game for the Giants in the first four weeks. The schedule makers may be the best trolls out there if they were taking Jones' primetime record into account when they made the Giants schedule. Credit to them. But seriously, the Giants host Seattle the a week after the Thursday night game in San Francisco.
Essentially, the Giants have a mini bye week. 12 days off and back in the comforts of home is where Giants fans would expect Jones to capitalize. In a perfect world, Jones lights up Seattle and puts on a show in the Week 4 meeting.
In 2022, the Seahawks were 14th in pass yards allowed and they were in the Top 15 when it came to penalties allowed. They were near the Top 10 in interceptions, but this gives Jones a chance to prove his growth. He had a great season in 2022 when it came to taking care of the ball. This would be a great way for him to show that was no fluke.
When you're making the money Jones is, taking care of the ball is something that becomes a must. Don't beat yourself. A long rest, you're back in East Rutherford and this is a game Jones has no reason to lose. We can't wait to see what he does against the NFC West side.
2. Week 9 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders
It can't be stressed enough how imperative it is for Jones to be good against the Raiders. There is quite literally no reason for him not to be. The Raiders lost Derek Carr to New Orleans and Darren Waller will take the field against his former team. Davante Adams is seemingly all by himself and all the pressure will be on the defense. Unfortunately for Raiders fans, it's not a good one.
The Raiders allowed the fourth most pass yards, 11th most passing touchdowns, fifth most total yards and were in the Top 20 in terms of most penalites committed. This Raiders defense is terrible and because of that this matchup is now a can't-lose for the Giants. Jones has to be good when they take the field in Las Vegas.
After Vegas, the Giants play the Cowboys and Washington Commanders in consecutive weeks. Jones can't fall into the trap. He's going against a defense he should be able to carve up in his sleep and hopefully he does.
1. Week 2 vs. the Arizona Cardinals
If the Giants were to go 1-16 in 2023, the money would be on this game against the Cardinals to be that one win. Arizona is going to be terrbile this season. That's not a hot take, that's a fact. There's a reason they're repeatedly projected as the No. 1 pick in 2024.
Last season, the Cardinals defense ranked 12th in most yards allowed, ninth in most pass yards allowed, third in most passing touchdowns allowed and were in the Top 20 when it comes to most penalites committed. It was a poor year for the Cardinals defensively and those struggles will continue in 2023.
Just to serve as a reminder, their best defnesive player Budda Baker wants out. If all goes in the Giants favor, Baker will be long gone by Week 2. Considering the fact Arizona may openly be trying to tank the season, you could see a trade happening sooner rather than later.
These are the type of games the best quarterbacks in the league win and win handedly. Jones is being paid like one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he needs to play like it against Arizona. There is no reason for the Giants to lose this game and no reason Jones shouldn't be lighting up the stat sheet. This game against the Cardinals is a must-win in every sense of the term.
READ MORE: Game-by-game predictions for each NY Giants game in 2023