New York Giants: 2009 Expectations

The Giants have a tough schedule this year, but that is to be expected, as they have to play all the division winners in the NFC from last season as well as the tough AFC South division.  Don't forget they are in the most difficult division in football, the NFC East.

9/13, 4:15 Washington - W

This is a very tough opening game, as the Redskins have really stacked their defense with the signing of Albert Haynesworth. That being said, I believe the Giants can handle the Redskins' D-line with their great running game.

The Redskins and Giants will split the series, so since this is the home game, this one goes to the Giants.

9/20, 8:20 @ Dallas - W

This may be due to my absolute hatred of the Cowboys, but I see the Giants sweeping the series against Dallas. I just don't trust Wade Phillips as a head coach. He is way too lenient with the players, and that obviously doesn't work for his current roster.

The Giants should have no problems stopping the Dallas offense as T.O. was a major factor in this matchup, so without him things will only get better.

Giants may pick up a victory here, but who knows whether or not the recent disaster will rally the troops in Dallas. The Giants should not overlook the 2009 Cowboys.

9/27, 1:00 @ Tampa -W

This is a very winnable game for New York; Eli loves the warm weather cities. It doesn't hurt that Tampa Bay doesn't know who will be captain of the offense in 2009.  Although they did sign Byron Leftwich and draft Josh Freeman, I don't see them as a viable solutions. Tampa hired the youngest coach in the league and they will be in rebuilding mode; this could be a blow out.

10/4, 1:00 @ Kansas City - L

This is an intriguing game. The Chiefs had a fantastic draft in 2008, and hired Scott Pioli to turn the team around for 2009. He responded by signing emerging star QB Matt Cassel and veteran linebackers in Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas. He only had to give up two second round picks for the trio.

I probably won't get many people to agree with me, but seeing as how this game is in Arrowhead Stadium, I give it to the Chiefs.

10/11, 1:00 Oakland - W

Oakland Raiders. That's all I got. Chalk up the "W."

10/18, 1:00 @ New Orleans - L

Another difficult game to predict. The Giants have the potential to be one of the best defenses in the NFL with the personnel changes they've made, but with Steve Spagnuolo leaving, it could prove difficult to stop the league's best offense in their home stadium.

Give this one to the Cajuns.

10/25, 8:20 Arizona - W

Arizona was 3-7 against opponents outside of their division last season, and 0-5 on the road against those same opponents.

That's all the info I need. Another "W" for Big Blue.

11/1, 4:15 @ Philadelphia - W

The Giants always seem to be able to go into Philadelphia and win. I don't expect much different this season. The Eagles lost Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard; they will suffer on defense and the Giants should be able to move the ball with ease.

The series will be a split, with both teams winning on the road.

11/8, 4:15 San Diego - W

Tough one to call because it is unclear which Charger defense will show up; 2007 or 2008. With Shawn Merriman coming back, they will improve defensively, but they will suffer on offense with no running game. I don't trust Darren Sproles as far as I can throw him.

Giants pick up this one and head into the bye week 7-2.

11/15 - BYE

Thank goodness...the week four bye was starting to get old.

11/22, 1:00 Atlanta - L

This is where things get tricky for the boys in blue. Coughlin almost never wins games after bye weeks with the Giants. I was surprised even when they beat Seattle (yes, I know...). One of the youngest teams in the NFL, Atlanta will be one of the teams to beat next season.

Let's not forget Eli's troubles in the swirling New York winds.

11/26 8:20 @ Denver - W

Denver is in rebuilding mode and will not be a factor until next season. Giants get the easy win on Turkey Day (or Night).

12/6 4:15 Dallas - W

As I said before, the Giants will sweep the Cowboys for the first time in a while this season. The Cowboys are going to be a good team, but I just don't think they will have enough to move the ball.

12/13 8:20 Philadelphia - W

The swirling winds always seems to give New York problems against the Eagles. With the fantastic draft the Eagles had, they will be potent on offense and win a shoot-out in the Meadowlands.

12/21 8:30 @Washington - L

For the third straight season, the NFL scheduled three straight division games for the Giants. What are they trying to do?

Anyways, the Giants will lose this one on the road to a Washington team that will be competing for the division crown. The teams will split the season series, so naturally I give the home teams the victories.

12/27 1:00 Carolina - W

I think Carolina caught lightning in a bottle last season. They are a .500 team at best if they let go of Julius Peppers; Giants should have no trouble with this game unless Carolina somehow holds on to him.

1/3 1:00 @Minnesota* - W/L

I think this is the year the Giants finally beat Minnesota. It should be noted that last year's week 17 matchup did not count because the Giants rested their starters for the entire second half.

The reason I have the "W/L" as my pick is this could change if the Giants have managed to lock up any sort of positioning or home field advantage. While 11 wins probably will not win the NFC, they could have locked up at least the No. 2 or No. 3 seed and have nothing to play for.

Prediction - 12-4/11-5 (depending on the Playoff situation)

More than likely they will have to play the game against Minnesota to get a bye week, in which case the Giants would win that game and finish 12-4.

The Giants had a fantastic draft this year. They replaced Plaxico Burress with two viable end zone threats in Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden. There are still rumors the Giants will make a trade for Braylon Edwards, but for now I'm just taking that as speculation.

There are a few of things that could prevent the Giants from meeting these expectations:

-If the Giants sustain injuries on the offensive line, they could be in real trouble. It seems the only decent backup tackle is William Beatty, and he hasn't even played a down in the NFL.

-If the two receivers drafted in April don't pan out like the team hopes, the offense will suffer. It is apparent the offense ran by Gilbride needs a big target to stretch the defense so teams cannot target the running game. If Nicks or Barden are not immediate impacts, the defense will need to carry the load.

-Steve Spagnuolo leaving the defense to take the head coaching job in St. Louis could prove a problem. The organization left fans feeling confident they are taking the same defensive approach by promoting a position coach to coordinator, leaving fans with the feeling they are going to keep the defensive intensity at the high level that led to two top 10 defenses under Spagnuolo.

Signing two defensive lineman in the off season is also an indication they will continue to emphasize the importance of an elite pass rush.

-Which Eli Manning are we going to see in 2009? The 15-1 Eli Manning that led to a Super Bowl win and an 11-1 start in 2008, or the Eli Manning that suffered through a 1-4 finish and an early playoff exit without his favorite target Plaxico Burress? If the Giants have the latter, it will be a difficult season for Big Blue.