Apparently the NFL schedule-makers believe the Giants will have a rebound season in 2014, as they are scheduled for five prime-time games, including the season-opening Monday Night Football game Sept. 8 at Detroit.
The Giants after their nationally-televised opener have four more prime-time games: Thursday, Sept. 25 at Washington; Sunday, Oct. 12 at Philadelphia; Monday, Nov. 3 vs. the Colts; and Sunday, Nov. 23 vs. the Cowboys. The Giants close the season Dec. 28 vs. the Eagles.
“It’s a difficult and challenging schedule, as we knew it would be,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “We play a lot of very good teams. We’re playing some teams that we haven’t played for a while that feature some key, key ingredients, some teams that are building and growing and teams with new coaches, guys I have a lot of respect for.’’
The Giants’ bye week comes after seven games, which pleases Coughlin. He likes the bye week as close to midseason as possible.
“The bye, again, is in a good spot for us,” he said.
November appears to be a killer month for the Giants. They face Andrew Luck and the Colts Nov. 3 in a nationally televised Monday night affair at MetLife Stadium. Next up is a Nov. 9 game at Seattle against the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks, who are 15-1 the past two regular seasons at CenturyLink Field. On Nov. 16, the Giants return home to face the 49ers. On Nov. 23, the Giants host the Cowboys in a national-televised Sunday night game. If the Giants can survive that November gauntlet, they should get a respite as they close out the month with a Nov. 30 game in Jacksonville.
Some schedule tidbits:
This will be the first time in 13 years the Giants open up on Monday night. They do not have any NFC East games until Week 4 and they play five games against teams that made the playoffs in 2013 (Eagles twice, 49ers, Colts and Seahawks). The Giants will play four teams with first-year coaches (Redskins, Texans, Titans and Lions).
The Giants’ schedule:
PRESEASON
Sun., Aug. 3: vs. Bills in Canton, 8 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 9: vs. Steelers, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug 16: at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 22: at Jets, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 28: vs. Patriots, 7:30 p.m.
REGULAR SEASON
Monday, Sept. 8: at Detroit, 7:10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 14: vs. Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 21: vs. Texans, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Washington, 8:25 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5: vs. Falcons, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12: at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 19: at Dallas, 4:25 p.m.
Sunday, Oct 26: Bye
Monday, Nov. 3: vs. Colts, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 9: at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16: vs. 49ers, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23: vs. Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30: at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7: at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14: vs. Redskins, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21: at St. Louis, 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28: vs. Eagles, 1 p.m.
Game of the year: Nov. 3 vs. Colts
There was a time when Giants versus Colts meant Eli Manning against big brother Peyton but Eli facing Andrew Luck on Monday night is not bad, as Luck is a must-see quarterback. Plus, this is the return of Hakeem Nicks, who signed a one-year deal to resurrect his career in Indianapolis.
Three toughest games
Nov. 9 at Seattle: There is no tougher place to play than the home of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who have gone 15-1 in their CenturyLink Field cauldron of noise the past two regular seasons.
Oct. 12 at Philadelphia: The Eagles in 2013 were the surprise champions of the NFC East and are favored this time around to protect what they earned. Visits to the Linc are never fun and this night game ensures an ’’uninhibited’’ crowd.
Nov. 16 vs. 49ers: Sure, it’s a long trip from west to east, but the two-time NFC champions will arrive with their all-world defense and a versatile offense to face a team they don’t like very much.
Three easiest games
Sept. 21 vs. Texans: Figure the Texans (who now have former Giants running back Andre Brown) are not nearly as bad as their 2013 showing (a 2-14 record) but that doesn’t mean they are a tough team to beat, especially when they are on the road.
Nov. 30 at Jacksonville: The Jaguars are coming off a 4-12 season, but made plenty of interesting moves and could be in for a flirtation with .500. Still, this is not exactly Mission Impossible for the Giants.
Sept. 14 vs. Cardinals: The Cardinals are coming off an impressive 10-6 season, but they were only 4-4 away from home and historically are not world-beaters in the Eastern time zone. The Giants wish this game was later in the season, thus colder.
Schwartz’s take
The first five games allow the Giants to get off to good start, which they will need to survive a brutal November stretch. Forced to head to Seattle on short rest coming off a Monday night game versus the Colts is not very fair. The last five games will give the Giants a chance to make a late run, unless they are too far out of contention.