New York Giants 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Look at the Giants Season

The New York Giants face a difficult schedule in 2011.  Although they face the putrid NFC West, they will have challenges battling the tough AFC East as well as tough games against the last two Super Bowl champions, in Green Bay and New Orleans.  As usual, they will also face their division foes in the NFC East. 

The schedule is met with skepticism because of the lockout. Teams have not had a chance to improve their rosters via trade, free agency or the NFL draft.  Therefore, their schedule is evaluated with these factors in mind and it seems tough.  Here is the game-by-game breakdown of the 2011 Giants schedule.

Week 1 at Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Anthony Armstrong #13 of the Washington Redskins catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants during a game at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo b

The Giants should get off to a good start against their division foes. They won both meetings against the Redskins last year and Washington faces questions at QB this offseason as Donovan Mcnabb appears on his way out.

Week 2 at St. Louis Rams

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams stands on the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This is a special game as former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo makes his return to the Meadowlands on Monday Night Football.  Giants players enjoyed playing for Spagnuolo and won a Super Bowl with him as defensive coordinator in 2007.  Spagnuolo leads a young, talented Rams team that was one game away from the playoffs last year. QB Sam Bradford looks to build on his solid rookie season.

Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs in the game winning touchdown on a punt return against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ni

The picture above says it all Giants fans.  The Eagles have defeated the Giants six consecutive times, including the postseason.  The Giants 2010 season turned when they blew a 21-point lead to the Eagles in Week 15, with DeSean Jackson completing the comeback with a punt return at the end of regulation in the above photo.  The Giants were in a position to win the NFC East with a win in that game, but their collapse and loss to the Green Bay the following week knocked them out of the playoffs.  The Giants have not been able to contain the Eagles' speed, and if the Giants want to reclaim their status as Super Bowl contenders, they have to solve the puzzle that is the Eagles.

Week 4 at Arizona Cardinals

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

This seems like an easy game for Big Blue. The Cardinals struggled to replace the retired QB Kurt Warner.  Upgrading the QB position will be their top priority and they seem to be in a rebuilding mode.  The sophomore slump of Beanie Wells is not a good sign either after he had a strong rookie season.

Week 5 vs. Seattle Seahawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks throws the ball in the first half against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dou

Seattle is another team that has questions at the QB position.  QB Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent and his future is uncertain as he will turn 36 at the start of the 2011 season.  The Giants had an easy victory over the Seahawks last year in Seattle and should pick up another victory against the Seahawks in the Meadowlands, especially since Seattle plays much better at home than on the road.

Week 6 vs. Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Bills make an extra trip to the Meadowlands to play the Giants.  Buffalo struggled last year, but can build around young players such as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Fred Jackson and WR Stevie Johnson.  They played several close games, but could not win them.  The Giants should win this game as well and feel confident going in to their bye in week 7.

Week 8 vs. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins is preasured by Lawrence Jackson #94 of the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The trends of a team making an extra trip to the Meadowlands and struggling QBs continue as the Giants take on the Miami Dolphins.  Miami had a strange year as they were 6-2 on the road and 1-7 at home.  They have a solid defense led by LBs Cameron Wake and Karlos Dansby and a playmaker on offense in WR Brandon Marshall.  Their main problem, like other teams so far on the Giants schedule, seems to be QB.  Chad Henne is entering his 3rd full season as a starting QB and the Dolphins hope that he can reduce his interceptions, create a connection with Marshall, and develop in to a solid QB.

Week 9 at New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

The second half of the season, the usual start of the Giants collapse, begins with a rematch of Super Bowl XLII.  The Giants travel to New England, a place where no visitor won in the regular season in 2010.  The postseason was a different story as the New York Jets knocked out the Patriots.  Nevertheless, the Patriots are a perennial Super Bowl contender led by future hall of famers, coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady.

Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect sinc

The San Francisco 49ers are moving in a new direction with the hire of Jim Harbaugh.  Not to beat a dead horse, but the 49ers main problem is QB.  They have been too patient with 2005 overall #1 pick Alex Smith and saw last year that Troy Smith could not get the job done last year either.  They have talented players on both sides of the ball with RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, and LB Patrick Willis, but unless they get a QB, they will continue to struggle and the Giants should get this win.

Week 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Michael Vick, #7 of the NFC Philadelphia Eagles passes against the American Football Conference team (AFC) during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Image

I've already mentioned the Eagles, so I'll add to the reasons they are the Giants perennial toughest opponent.  The previous slide showed WR Desean Jackson returning a punt for a touchdown to beat the Giants at the buzzer and the Eagles winning streak coincided with Jackson's entrance to the NFL.  He has speed that gives the Giants problems on offense and special teams.  In addition to Jackson, RB Lesean McCoy killed the Giants with 2 long runs that sealed the game in Philadelphia last year, including his 50 yard TD run on 4th and 1.  Even if they stop McCoy and shut down the Eagles speedy receiver, they still have to contain QB Michael Vick's ability to run.  What a headache!

Week 12 at New Orleans Saints

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: The New Orleans Saints huddle against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

This is a rematch of 2009, when the Giants and New Orleans Saints were both 5-0.  The Saints won in convincing fashion, 48-27, and the Giants never recovered as they missed the playoffs.  The Saints, led by superstar QB Drew Brees, had a disappointing finish in 2010, losing to the lowly Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs, and are looking to bounce back in 2011.  The game in 2009 was in New Orleans and so will this one, so it will be a tough game for the Giants.

Week 13 vs. Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers talks to teammates prior to their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Get

Another tough test looms, with the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers coming to the Meadowlands.  The teams battled for a playoff spot in week 16 of 2010 and it was no contest as the Packers crushed the Giants 45-17.  The offense is led by superstar QB Aaron Rodgers and the defense is led by superstar LB Clay Matthews III, who should have won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Packers lacked a consistent running game in 2010 and the return of former Giant Ryan Grant should make them even stronger!

Week 14 at Dallas Cowboys

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 14-13. (Photo by Jim McIs

It is very strange that the Giants don't see the Cowboys until Week 14 in 2011.  The Cowboys were a different team under Coach Jason Garrett. They were 5-3 with Garrett and 1-7 with fired Coach Wade Phillips.  They played harder, committed more to the running game, and were successful despite playing without QB Tony Romo.  It is not a surprise that they committed to Garrett in 2011 and hiring Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator should help the defense.  In fact, Garrett's first game as head coach was a 33-20 win in the Meadowlands against the Giants, which led to another second half-Giants meltdown.

Week 15 vs Washington Redskins

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Austen Lane #92 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to tackle Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

There isn't much to say that wasn't said in my first slide. The Redskins have been a joke under Dan Snyder, who continues to overspend for players that don't produce.  The last time the Redskins beat the Giants was in 2007, so this should be another easy win for the Giants.

Week 16 at New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets warms up in front of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Penn

Here it is, New York football fans, the battle of the Meadowlands!  There has been some controversy over the date of this game and although it is good that it is not on 9/11, fans are complaining that it is on Christmas Eve.  Can't please them all, I guess.  The bottom line is the Jets have overtaken the Giants as New York's best team with back to back AFC Championship Game appearances.  Coach Rex Ryan has done a very good job with the defense and the team overall and Mark Sanchez continues to improve as a QB.  This should be another tough game as the 2011 season winds down.

Week 17 vs Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys wears a sling on the sidelines after a left shoulder injury against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

The Giants finish the 2011 season against the Dallas Cowboys.  I mentioned that the Cowboys finished the 2010 season strong with Tony Romo and recently, teammates praised QB Jon Kitna and believe that there should be a QB competition in 2011.  That won't happen, as the Cowboys are committed to Romo, and he should have a good year. 

It seems that something is always missing with the Cowboys, but it isn't talent, with Romo, WR Miles Austin, and TE Jason Witten on offense and LB DeMarcus Ware and DT Jay Ratliff on defense.  Even though this game is in the Meadowlands, the Giants don't want their playoff fate to come down to this game against this talented team.