New York Giants 2011 Schedule: Must-Watch Games

The 2011 NFL offseason hasn't been kind to the New York Giants. The organization took the time to be considerate and creative to its fans with relaxed ticket billing and fan-inspired ticket designs during the lockout, but now, it's time to get to work with a weakened workforce. 

Eli Manning is down two receivers—Kevin Boss and Steve Smith. Despite general manager Jerry Reese stating that resigning those players was a priority, Boss is now an Oakland Raider, and Smith has signed with division rival and hottest free-agent destination since Miami—the Philadelphia Eagles.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora has also become a question mark because of contract disputes and a troubled right knee which may require surgery.

While the Philadelphia Eagles are still busy signing nearly every big name available and housemate New York Jets looking every bit as good as the past two years, not to mention signing Plaxico Burress, the Giants find themselves in a serious underdog position.

Regardless, Reese has defended the quiet front office claiming that the Giants will make the playoffs this year, and Manning has expressed optimism in his receiving core despite the loss of Boss and Smith.

Here's a look at the Giants must watch games this season so you can decide how far this Giants squad can go. 

Week 1: at Washington Redskins

The Giants open their season on the road in D.C. against the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins were a drama all of their own last season. The Redskins had added head coach Mike Shanahan and quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has since signed with the Vikings, but that never amounted to anything worth being proud of down in the nation's capital.

McNabb was demoted to third string for the final three games of the season, and the big soap opera that is Albert Haynesworth, now a New England Patriot, was suspended the final four games for feuding with Shanahan. The Redskins finished last season 6-10. 

Starting QB Rex Grossman in a recent interview claimed that the Redskins will win the division this year despite the departure of McNabb and Haynesworth and all the hype surrounding the revamped Eagles. Look for this game to set the tone for how both teams are going to look for the rest of the season, especially with the Giants looking to prove they are still a contender in their division.

The Giants have won six straight games against the Redskins and nine out of the last 10.

Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles

December 19th, 2010, at the Meadowlands, under eight minutes left to play and the Giants are up on the Eagles by 21 points. This game is in the bag. 

Final score: Eagles 38, Giants 31

The last time these two teams met, Michael Vick decided to cement himself as arguably the greatest comeback player, ever. It had only been a month since Vick put on the greatest performance by a quarterback in a single game, ever, against the Redskins.

Add to that Eagles team cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, running back Ronnie Brown and Vince Young as a backup quarterback and you have the recipe for yet another Philadelphia highlight reel at the expense of Big Blue. 

This early season matchup will show if the Giants are ready and capable of competing with the league's top contenders and will be their first real test of the season.  

Week 9: at New England Patriots

Rematch of Super Bowl XLII in New England makes this one of the must-watch games of the entire NFL season.

The Patriots will surely be much more wrapped up in its division rivalry with the other New York team, but this is one the Pats want bad since it was the Giants who ruined perfection after handing New England its first loss of the 2007 season, in the Super Bowl.

The Giants will definitely be looking to pour salt on still existing wounds from 2007 in a game which will likely be a telling one for both teams. 

Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles

Here we go again. Only this time, the Giants are at home. 

By this time, the Giants are just beginning the final and longest two months of the season in which they will be playing against the Patriots, the last two Super Bowl Champions back-to-back and have four division games.

The Eagles will have proven by Week 11 if they truly are Super Bowl favorites, and the Giants will most probably be looking to piece together a playoff appearance during the most challenging stretch of the season.    

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints

The first of back-to-back weeks in which the Giants will face the last two Super Bowl champions will be in New Orleans against the Saints. 

Just one week after the Giants defense has to deal with the dynamic and unpredictable Michael Vick, here comes Drew Brees complemented by arguably the best new backfield in the league.

The Saints may no longer have Reggie Bush, but they do now have rookie Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram, new addition Darren Sproles from the San Diego Chargers, Pierre Thomas, and if healthy, Chris Ivory.

Hope the Giants like running as much as the Saints seem to. 

Week 13: Green Bay Packers

Super opponent week comes to an end when the Giants host the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

The Packers bring back virtually the same team as last year, which is looking to put the same hurting on opponents this year as they did during their spectacular playoff run.

Look for the Giants to prove their worth this season against the defending champs.  

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys

Finally, Week 14 and the Giants get their first shot at fierce division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, and Tony Romo gets to seek his revenge.

Tony Romo is back this season after being sidelined all of last season in October after a brutal hit by Giants linebacker Michael Boley, which left Romo with a broken clavicle. The Cowboys are still looking to reach the promised land not seen since the 90s in that $1.3 billion stadium.

Should both these teams meet expectations set by themselves, this could be a game with huge wild card implications. Oh and welcome Rob Ryan, the new defensive coordinator of the Cowboys and twin brother of Rex Ryan. 

Week 16: at New York Jets

For the first time since 2007, the New York rivals will play in what is arguably the must-watch game of the entire Giants season. 

The Giants will be the away team in this showdown at the Meadowlands which is sure to be the hottest Christmas gift for any New York fan lucky enough to get a ticket for this game taking place on Christmas Eve. 

This should be a wild late-season affair in which Plaxico Burress, receiver of the Giants Super Bowl winning catch, takes on his former Big Blue as part of the Gang Green.