After the NFL Draft and before training camp, there is one thing in particular NFL fans look forward to more than anything else: the schedule release. For the NY Giants, they're coming off a 9-7-1 2022 season and a lot of folks think they have the potential to win double-digit showdowns.
With that said, the G-Men will have to go through teams of every variety (good, bad, elite quarterbacks, elite defenses, bad quarterbacks, etc.) if they want to post another strong season. In this piece we take a look at each 2023 opponent, ranking them from easiest to hardest:
14. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are going to be bad this year. There is just no other way to put it. When they take on the Giants in Week 2, they'll more than likely be without quarterback Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy will be under center. McCoy is good for maybe a couple of wins a year when called upon, but this game against the Giants isn't going to be one of those days.
With a seemingly improved Giants defense, especially in the secondary, they should be able to feast on McCoy and keep the Cards off the scoreboard. As for the offense, the Giants will go against one of the worst defenses from the 2022 season. This is one of the games that Daniel Jones needs to have no problem winning.
On top of that, it remains to be seen if the Cardinals will have Budda Baker and/or Deandre Hopkins suiting up for them in 2023. Arizona is in full rebuild mode. This is a contest the G-Men should have no issues with.
13. Green Bay Packers
The Packers had one of the worst offseasons a team could have. You lost a Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, which for some was bad enough - but, that wasn't all. They lost their leading receiver last year in Allen Lazard and a steady slot guy in Randall Cobb. Looking at this Packers roster, at least offensively, it's filled with inexperience.
Quarterback Jordan Love will be taking on the role of a full-time starter for the first time and Christian Watson is now the leader in the recievers room. Watson had a nice rookie campaign, catching fire late in the season, but still, this offense is a little too new to have much success in 2023.
Even with Rodgers and Lazard last season, the Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. The team has significantly downgraded, so there's no reason to expect much from this Packers team even with a similar defense to last year.
Jaire Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the game and that hasn't changed, but the Giants have proven themselves against Alexander and the rest of this defense already. No one in Big Blue Nation has forgotten about the comeback win across the pond against Green Bay last season. Proven success plus a downgraded roster equals an easy opponent for the G-Men.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Much like Green Bay, Las Vegas has had an offseason of downgrades, specifically at the quarterback positon. Derek Carr wanted out and found a new home in New Orleans and the Raiders brought in Jimmy Garoppolo.
You can say what you want about Carr, but he is objectively better than Jimmy G. So, how can we expect a team returning most of its players with a worse quarterback to be better than the 6-11 team we saw last year?
One guy they didn't return is stud tight end Darren Waller who now, as we all know, will be in Giants colors when the team goes to Vegas. Waller will probably have some extra motivation to get back at head coach Josh McDaniels for leaking his wedding information, so expect a big game from him.
In all seriousness, the Giants offense should have their way with this Raiders defense. If the offensive line is able to neutralize Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones (easier said than done), this game shouldn't be close at all.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Admittedly, it feels weird to have a team just two years removed from a Super Bowl as the Giants fourth easiest matchup of the season. However, this is a totally different Rams team than the one that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy not too long ago.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming back from injury and who knows how truly healthy he'll be by the time the Giants and Rams square off. Depending on his health, the Stafford-Cooper Kupp tandem will be a hard assignment to stop for the Giants defense...but that's really it.
This Rams defense took a hit losing cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins. When you take a look at the defense for the Rams, nothing will really intimidate you (with the exception of Aaron Donald). The Giants shouldn't really have a problem here.
Look for Jones to have a big day through the air against this secondary. It doesn't seem like there will be much resistance from the Rams. It could be a big chance for the NY receivers to put up some impressive numbers as well.
10. Washington Commanders
The Commanders being in this spot kind of goes against the theme of unproven quarterbacks being easy matchups for the Giants. But, even with second-year man Sam Howell getting his first real starting experience, this is a division game for the Giants. You can throw records out the window when NFC East teams play each other because they are going for blood every single time.
Howell may be inexperienced, but he has weapons all over the field to help him out. Whether it's Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Logan Thomas or Brian Robinson, these two matchups against the Commanders could be tough for the Giants defense.
The offenseive line for Big Blue could have some problems containg the Commanders defensive front, but if they can protect Jones, it'll be smooth sailing for the offense. The Commanders secondary isn't really anything to write home about and we could see more big days from DJ. If the Giants can proctect their guy and the defense can get to the Commanders, we could see two division wins over Washington in 2023.
9. New England Patriots
Simply put, coaching is why the Patriots are this high in terms of toughest matchups for the Giants. It's the Bill Belichick effect in the highest order. In 2022, the Patriots went 8-9 with their offensive coaching staff having never called plays before. That's pretty impressive.
They'll have a new offensive leader in Bill O'Brien to hopefully get Mac Jones to what the Patriots expect him to be. The Patriots haven't had a history of good fortune with receivers, but the JuJu Smith-Schuster addition is a good one. He was a solid contributor on a Super Bowl winning team and is a much need extra weapon for Mac Jones.
On the defensive side, the Patriots have all-around stud Matthew Judon who will no doubt make life difficult for the Giants offensive line and Daniel Jones. The Patriots were able to bolster their secondary through this year's draft when Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez fell in their lap.
They may not have the sexiest roster, but this Belichick guy is pretty good at what he does. This could be a tougher-than-you-think matchup for the G-Men and could result in some ugly football if they aren't careful.
8. New Orleans Saints
This could prove to be a very tough matchup for New York if they don't execute. The Saints went from a quarterback duo of Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston to Carr. Carr has had some support offensively during his tenure in Oakland/Las Vegas, but you could make the argument, all things considered, this is the best team he's been on.
Alvin Kamara will look to have a bounce-back year, Chris Olave is only going to get better after an impressive rookie campaign and maybe Michael Thomas will stay healthy for more than five seconds. This is an offense that could really give the Giants problems if they don't come ready to play.
Defensively, the Saints are just as sneaky. Cameron Jordan has been a solid defensive lineman since he came into the league. If he is able to have his way with the Giants front, it could be a long day for Jones. In the secondary, Jones will have to deal with Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu.
Both of these guys will make you pay if you make a poor decision or read. Jones' improvement in turnovers from last year could be put to the test with these two ballhawks in the New Orleans secondary.
7. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had a pretty up and down season last year and it was all due to the health of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His concussions got so bad he even considered reitrement. However, he is back for more and if all is OK with his head, that could be bad news for the Giants defense.
Containing Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will be tough enough for the G-Men, but Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. could give the Dolphins the consistent running game they have lacked for a couple of years.
The Dolphins defense has studs at every level, including Christian Wilkins and Bradley Chubb in the front seven. This offseason, the Dolphins brought in Jalen Ramsey to pair him with Xavien Howard. With one move, the Dolphins have one of, if not the best, cornerback duos in the NFL.
The Dolphins can attack on offense and defense on every level and will make life hard for the Giants on both sides. With this game taking place in Florida too, it certainly will be a tough road contest for the G-Men.
6. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were able to get into the playoffs with a Geno Smith-led offensive unit. Most people wrote this guy off and he was able to prove them all wrong. Granted, life is easier with weapons like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but nonetheless, this was a solid team.
They're running it back with Geno in 2023 in hopes he wasn't a one-hit wonder. To ensure this, they added Jaxon Smith-Njigba to an already stout receiving corps. These guys along with Kenneth Walker III will certainly pose a tough test for Wink Martindale and the Giants defense.
The Seahawks defense isn't quite what it was when it held the title of the Legion of Boom, but make no mistake, they can get after it. Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams are as solid as they come in terms of safties. Tariq Woolen made a name for himself as probably the best rookie cornerback not named Sauce Gardner in 2022.
Not to mention, the Seahawks added coveted prospect Devon Witherspoon to stabilize the side opposite Woolen. If there is a weak spot of this Seahawks defense, it's the front seven and the Giants will need to take advantage of that to come out with a win.
5. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers came within a game of the Super Bowl in 2022. They struck gold with Brock Purdy at quarterback and were seemingly unbeatable after they traded for Christian McCaffrey. They have an elite group of pass-catchers in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. There's no sugar coating it: this team is a nightmare for opponents.
So, you may be thinking 'why are they only the fifth toughest matchup if they are this good?' Well, the Giants may have found some luck in the fact that Purdy will more than likely be injured when they face off against the Giants. That means either Sam Darnold or Trey Lance will be taking the snaps and the Giants defense can take full advantage.
We all know what Darnold is at this point in his career and Lance is still unproven due to some bad injury luck. Despite the QB questions, San Francisco is still a very, very good football team any way you look at it.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills may not have the roster the 49ers do, but they have something San Francisco doesn't: an established quarterback. Josh Allen is a stud and there's really no way around it. He still has Stefon Diggs at his disposal and has turned Gabe Davis into a household name in upstate New York.
These guys will probably be on a mini revenge tour in 2023 after not living up to the hype in 2022. To fall short of at least an AFC Championship Game is looked at as a failure for a team who most talking heads considered to be Super Bowl favorites.
Their defense is no slouch either. They have dogs like Ed Oliver and Gregory Rousseau to anchor the line, one of the best linebackers in the league in Matt Milano and a stout safety duo in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. The Bills will no doubt be a struggle for the Giants and this game will depend on which Allen we get.
Do we get the one that's an MVP caliber type of player or the guy who turns the ball over? If Big Blue's defense can cause some disruption, the Giants may walk away with a win. That won't be an easy task, but you never know what might happen.
3. Dallas Cowboys
You hate to give a rival this much credit, but the Cowboys are going to be good. They destroyed Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs and played the 49ers close in the Divisional Round. Unfortunately, the Cowboys got better this offseason, too.
They added Brandin Cooks to an already stout receiving corps and added Stephon Gilmore to play opposite Trevon Diggs on the defensive side. And, don't forget, they have the best defensive player in football in Micah Parsons.
Talent isn't the only thing the Cowboys have going for them. They have simply owned the Giants in recent memory. Since Danny Dimes became the starter, the Giants have only beaten the Cowboys once. And that one victory? It came when Dak Prescott was injured and Andy Dalton was the signal-caller.
History hasn't been on the Giants side in this rivalry since their last Super Bowl, but it would be a good opportuinity for Jones to earn his contract and at least split the season series. It will be a tough test regardless.
2. New York Jets
We now live in a world where the New York Jets can be considered the second toughest matchup for the Giants and be completely serious about it. It's a weird world for sure. However, the fact is the Jets showed serious promise in 2022.
Really, the only thing they lacked was a quarterback and they addressed that in a big way this offseason. A trade with the Packers brought in Rodgers and now the future Hall of Famer will have some serious weapons at his disposal: Garrett Wilson, Lazard and Breece Hall just to name a few. It's an offensive unit that's nightmare fuel for any defense.
Speaking of defense, the Jets are pretty good at that, too. Gardner looked like a 10-year veteran in his rookie season and will probably only get better. C.J. Mosely is a solid anchor for that linebacker group.
And, oh yeah, the Jets have one of the best defesnive lineman in the league in Quinnen Williams. All this talent plus replacing Zach Wilson with Rodgers? The showdown at MetLife will be a tough one for Brian Daboll's men, as Rodgers will look to put on a show.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
There's an argument to be made the Jets truly are the toughest matchup for the Giants, but the reality is the Eagles were in the Super Bowl last year. Not only that, but they got even better in the offseason. They filled the hole of Miles Sanders' exit with D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny.
They have one of the best receivers in the league in A.J. Brown who has a pretty solid running mate you may have heard of: DeVonta Smith. They have household names at cornerback with Darius Slay and James Bradberry. If that isn't enough, their front seven got even better through the draft as they selected Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round. Jalen Hurts just landed his mega-deal and he's easily one of the top QBs in the NFC.
Like the Cowboys, the Eagles don't just have the talent to give the Giants trouble, they have done so in recent history. In the 2020s, the Eagles are 5-2 against the Giants including a three game sweep in 2022. That sweep included a 48-22 blowout in East Rutherford and a 38-7 breatdown in the playoffs.
Hopefully the Giants use the revenge factor to get some extra motivation in 2023. Otherwise, we could be looking at two divisional losses for the G-Men once again. No one wants to see that happen this campaign.
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