New York Giants 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Look at the Giants' Season
It has yet to be seen whether or not we’ll have football in 2011, but if we do, the Giants are in a solid place to make a playoff run. Ten of the Giants 16 games will come against teams who had losing records in 2010.
Notable games include a hometown battle against the Jets on Christmas Day, the Patriots first chance avenge to their Super Bowl loss, and a home game against the defending champion Packers. The G-Men have four primetime games and their two Monday nighters will come at home against the Rams and on the road vs. the Saints. Their bye will come in week 7.
I took the time to run through each week’s matchup, 1-17.
Week 1: Sunday 9/11 @ Washington Redskins
1 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 30th
Passing: 8th
Rush Defense: 26th
Pass Defense: 31st
The Redskins finished 2010 with a loss to the same team that they’ll face heading into 2011, your New York Giants. The game will be played on September 11 and will be promoted in commemoration for the 10th year anniversary of the 2001 disaster. The game will be played in Washington D.C. at 4:15 ET suggesting both teams will likely be in the national spotlight.
The Giants will look to get their season started off on the right foot behind Eli Manning and a healthy receiving corps. They swept the Redskins in 2010 and they’ll have a solid chance to do the same in 2011.
The Skins will likely have a new starting QB following the aggravated departure of Donovan McNabb. Rex Grossman is currently No. 1 on the depth chart but expect them to land a guy like Kevin Kolb or address the position during the 2010 draft with Chris Ponder, Jake Locker, etc.
Week 2: Monday 9/19 vs. St. Louis Rams
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 25th
Passing: 21st
Rush Defense: 17th
Pass Defense: 19th
The Rams exceeded expectations in 2010, finishing 7-9 as they contended for the NFC West title. Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson should lead a valiant effort against the Giants in New York’s home opener, which will come on Monday Night Football.
This game should get a lot of hype as each team will have high expectations heading into the new season. The Rams and their young core will be a tough team to beat as they try to prove their worth in the national spotlight. Expect a fairly low scoring affair as the Giants take on their former defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnoulo.
Week 3: Sunday 9/25 @ Philadelphia Eagles
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 5th
Passing: 9th
Rush Defense: 15th
Pass Defense: 15th
The Giants will look to end a six-game losing streak against Philadelphia during Week 3. The teams will meet in Philadelphia at 1:00 ET.
The Eagles won the NFC East in 2010, but their most impressive victory may have come during their last matchup against the Giants during Week 15. Big Blue watched their playoff hopes diminish as time expired on DeSean Jackson’s 65-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Eagles, for the first time, have an entire offseason to scheme offensively around Michael Vick. Expect a high scoring affair with a lot of big plays as the teams haven’t combined for fewer than 44 points since December of 2008.
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Week 4: Sunday 10/2 @ Arizona Cardinals
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 32nd
Passing: 31st
Rush Defense: 30th
Pass Defense: 23rd
The Giants will face an Arizona team looking to improve on a lowly 2010 record of 5-11. The Cardinals have no choice but to address the QB position during the offseason and are an early favorite to land Kevin Kolb.
Even if the Cardinals do make a move, the Giants should have no problem taking care of NFC West’s worst. They’ll play at the Cardinal’s University of Phoenix Stadium when the teams meet at 4:05 pm ET. The Giants should be a heavy favorite headed into this Week 4 matchup and the running game should make a lot of noise against the leagues 30th ranked rush defense.
Week 5: Sunday 10/9 vs. Seattle Seahawks
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 31st
Passing: 19th
Rush Defense: 21st
Pass Defense: 27th
The Giants return home in Week 5 to take on the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks shocked fans in last season as they defeated the Saints and advanced to the divisional playoffs. Pete Carroll has them playing inspired football, and they’re just a few key pieces away from serious contention in 2011.
In spite of all this, the Giants shouldn’t have much trouble with Seattle unless they make some serious moves this offseason. The Giants will look to repeat the 41-7 performance they had in Seattle during Week 9 in 2010.
Week 6: Sunday 10/16 vs. Buffalo Bills
6 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 18th
Passing: 24th
Rush Defense: 32nd
Pass Defense: 3rd
The Bills had one of the league’s worst records in 2010, but they kept games close in most of their matchups. They’ll be picking third in the draft on April 28 and could be touting a new QB.
The early afternoon matchup will feature two teams heading into their bye weeks; expect the Giants to bury the Bills early. The Bills have no trouble defending the pass, but with the worst rush defense in the league, New York will look to control the game from the start. The Giants will be a heavy favorite at home and shouldn’t have much trouble meeting expectations.
Week 7: Bye
7 of 17
This year the Giants week off will come during Week 7. Considering their relatively easy schedule prior, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Giants heading in at 6-0. They should be the favorite in Las Vegas for all six games excluding their trip to Philly during Week 3.
Week 8: Sunday 10/30 vs. Miami Dolphins
8 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 21st
Passing: 16th
Rush Defense: 7th
Pass Defense: 8th
The Dolphins finished 2010 at 7-9 as Chad Henne struggled to live up to expectations. Miami may address the QB position during the offseason and they’ll likely make a big splash in free agency regardless. The defense had success in 2010 ranking seventh and eighth in rush and pass defense respectively. The game will take place in the Meadowlands and the Giants will have a significant advantage coming off the bye.
Week 9: Sunday 11/6 @ New England Patriots
9 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 9th
Passing: 11th
Rush Defense: 11th
Pass Defense: 30th
The Patriots and Giants will meet for the first time since the Giants Super Bowl victory over the Pats in 2008. The Patriots were impressive during the 2010 regular season but saw their season come to an end against Rex Ryan’s New York Jets.
The Giants tend to struggle against passing offenses such as New England’s. The Patriots will come out swinging looking to avenge their Super Bowl loss. This game will feature a lot of points, and both teams will be on a nationwide stage as they square up for a late afternoon slug fest.
Week 10: Sunday 11/3 @ San Francisco 49ers
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 18th
Passing: 19th
Rush Defense: 6th
Pass Defense: 24th
Jim Harbaugh is taking over as head coach for the 49ers, so expect a lot of new faces in 2011. San Francisco finished 6-10 last season as they faced an annual injury to Frank Gore and a carousel of Smiths at QB in Alex and Troy.
It’s hard to predict what the new squad will look like but they shouldn’t have trouble stopping the Giants on the ground. The Giants success will need to come through the air and as long as they control the clock, they should have no problem getting a W on the West Coast.
Week 11: Sunday 11/13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
11 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 5th
Passing: 9th
Rush Defense: 15th
Pass Defense: 15th
The Giants will take on the Eagles for the second time at home on Sunday Night Football. Both teams will be heading into the game coming off games vs. lowly NFC West opponents. Expect a lot of points on a wild night in New Jersey.
Week 12: Monday 11/28 @ New Orleans
12 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 28th
Passing: 3rd
Rush Defense: 16th
Pass Defense: 4th
The Saints will be one of the league's better teams as they have been the past couple of seasons. They should be on a mission in 2010 after falling in the first round of the playoffs to the 13.5 point underdog, Seattle Seahawks. The Saints will be seeking some consistency at the RB position as they dealt with injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas for most of the year.
This Monday night matchup will feature two impressive passing offenses as the Giants head to the Superdome. If the Giants can get through a tough New Orleans secondary, they’ll have a chance to pull an upset on the road.
Week 13: Sunday 12/4 vs. Green Bay Packers
13 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 24th
Passing: 5th
Rush Defense: 18th
Pass Defense: 5th
The Packers late season surge forced the Giants out of playoff contention in 2010. They took this momentum in stride and won Green Bay’s first Superbowl since 1996.
The Giants were blown out at Lambeau in 2010 with a chance to solidify their playoff entry. The Packers will be playing all season with a target on their back. The Giants matchup poorly in the secondary against the Packer’s spread attack.
If they want to pull this win off at home they’ll obviously have to execute on all cylinders. It’ll be a high scoring game and should be broadcasted nationally on Fox at 4:15 EST.
Week 14: Sunday 12/11 @ Dallas Cowboys
14 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 16th
Passing: 6th
Rush Defense: 12th
Pass Defense: 26th
The Giants will head into Dallas to take on Jason Garrett’s Cowboys. In New York’s final primetime game of the year, they’ll be looking to make an impression on the nationalized audience. The Cowboys dealt with a laundry list of injuries including star QB Tony Romo. Romo and Garrett have what it takes to succeed in 2011 and this should be a fundamentally important game.
Every year these teams play close, they split in 2010. The Giants and Cowboys will both find success in the air and this game will likely come down to which QB has the better performance on Sunday night.
Week 15: Sunday 12/18 vs. Washington Redskins
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2010 RANKS
Rushing: 30th
Passing: 8th
Rush Defense: 26th
Pass Defense: 31st
The Giants will get the Redskins at home in Week 15 as they’ll likely be fighting for a playoff spot. The teams will face off at 1:00pm EST. Expect a divisional battle as the NFC East always seems to tighten up toward the end of the regular season.
Week 16: Saturday 12/24 @ New York Jets
16 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 4th
Passing: 22nd
Rush Defense: 3rd
Pass Defense: 6th
The hometown rivals will square off on Christmas Eve at 1:00pm EST in what is sure to be an instant classic. The Giants will technically be the home team as Rex Ryan will look to shut down Eli Manning and the New York offense. This will be the first time the teams meet since the Giants defeated the Jets 35-24.
The Jets are a much different team than they were four years ago as they’ve been the more successful New York team as of late. This should be one of the Giants more low scoring affairs. Expect a brawl as both teams will be playing for a lot of pride in the Meadowlands.
Week 17: Sunday 1/1 vs. Dallas Cowboys
17 of 17
2010 RANKS
Rushing: 16th
Passing: 6th
Rush Defense: 12th
Pass Defense: 26th
The Giants will wrap up their regular season at home on New Year’s Day against the Cowboys. It’ll be interesting to see how the season plays out as this could be a meaningless game for either the Cowboys or the Giants as they’ll both be considered serious playoff contenders.
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