Week 8 vs NY Jets
The New York Bowl. Aaron Rodgers vs. Danny Dimes. The last time those two faced off, Jones powered the Giants to a stunning victory against Rodgers' Packers in London. This game has a ton of meaning to New York City. Unlike the Subway Series, Knicks-Nets, or Rangers-Islanders, we only get to see this matchup once every four seasons.
For the first time since 2011 when Victor Cruz had a 99-yard receiving touchdown against Rex Ryan's New York Jets, which helped the Giants solidify playoff positioning (and eventually win the Super Bowl), the rivalry game will have a tremendous amount at stake.
11 years ago today, Victor Cruz went for a 99-yard touchdown vs. the Jets on Christmas Eve and ignited a Giants Super Bowl runpic.twitter.com/xcw1MWdiqh
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 24, 2022
Both teams figure to be factors in the 2023 playoff chase. The Jets may have the flashier players, but they are, and forever will be, little brothers to the New York Giants.
Week 9 at Las Vegas
The Darren Waller revenge game. Las Vegas shockingly traded their star tight end to the Giants in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick in mid-March. Waller played 56 games for the Raiders across five seasons, hauling in 286 passes for 3,469 yards and 17 touchdowns. Waller cemented himself as one of the top five tight ends in football during his time with the Raiders.
Don't forget about the odd circumstances surrounding the Waller trade. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels told reporters about Waller's wedding to Las Vegas Ace star Kelsey Plum without Waller's permission.
Patrick Graham, the ex-Giants defensive coordinator, is now the defensive coordinator in Las Vegas too. Graham interviewed for the Giants head coaching job in 2022, and when he didn't get it, he was offered to stay on as defensive coordinator, but opted to go to Vegas. This game will mark the first time the Giants have ever played a football game in Las Vegas.
Week 10 at Dallas
The Giants have not won in Dallas since the 2016 season opener. Only one Giant remains on the roster from that team, wide receiver Sterling Shepard. The stars are always on display when these two bitter rivals step onto the field. However, this will be the first time in a while the Giants will play the Cowboys in Dallas without Ezekiel Elliott at RB for them. That could be big for Big Blue, as Zeke has tortured the Giants throughout his career.
The Giants young offensive line will have their hands full against Dallas' loaded defensive front. John Michael Schmitz and Evan Neal will have a chance in front of a national audience to show the world they have arrived.