As expected, the Giants’ stunning Super Bowl run to glory has resulted in plenty of notice and attention heading into the 2008 NFL season.
The league released its full schedule today, and the Giants probably will play four night games this season, three on the road.
As previously announced, the Giants kick off the season in the traditional Thursday night season opener, facing the NFC East rival Redskins at Giants Stadium.
The other night games are a Monday night game at Cleveland on Oct. 13 and Sunday night games at Philadelphia (Nov. 9) and in Dallas (Dec. 14).
One or two late-season games could be shifted to prime time under the NFL’s flexible schedule policy.
“It’s a very, very challenging schedule,” Tom Coughlin said. “Week-in and week-out, we will be challenged by outstanding opponents. We have four prime-time games, which our team will look forward to with great anticipation.
“We begin the season against Washington, a division opponent, and face a big challenge with four of our last six games on the road.”
The Giants play six games against 2007 playoff teams: two each versus Dallas and Washington, and one apiece against Seattle and Pittsburgh.
The first road game for the Giants is Week 2, when they face the Rams in St. Louis. That shouldn’t prove to be too daunting for the Giants, considering last season they went 11-0 away from Giants Stadium.
The Giants’ bye comes early: Sept 28, in Week 4. They play consecutive road games once, on Nov. 23 (at Arizona) and Nov. 30 (at Washington).
The Giants end the regular season Dec. 28 at Minnesota.
Because of the possibility of flex scheduling, there are seven Giants games that could have their kickoff times changed: Baltimore on Nov. 16 (currently listed as a 1 p.m. start), at Arizona on Nov. 23 (4:15), at Washington on Nov. 30 (1 p.m.), vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 7 (1 p.m.), at Dallas on Dec. 14 (8:15 p.m.), vs. Carolina on Dec. 21 (1 p.m.), and at Minnesota on Dec. 28 (1 p.m.).
The schedule:
Preseason
Sat. Aug. 9, at Carolina, 7
Mon. Aug. 18, BROWNS, 8
Sat. Aug. 23, at Jets, 7
Thurs. Aug. 28, PATRIOTS, 7
Regular season
Sept. 4: REDSKINS, 7
Sept. 14: at St. Louis, 1
Sept. 21: BENGALS, 1
Sept. 28: Bye
Oct. 5: SEAHAWKS, 1
Oct. 13: at Cleveland, 8:30
Oct. 19: 49ERS, 1
Oct. 26: at Pittsburgh, 4:15
Nov. 2: COWBOYS, 4:15
Nov. 9: at Philadelphia, 8:15
Nov. 16: RAVENS, 1
Nov. 23: at Arizona, 4:15
Nov. 30: at Washington, 1
Dec. 7: EAGLES, 1
Dec. 14: at Dallas, 8:15
Dec. 21: PANTHERS, 1
Dec. 28: at Minnesota, 1