Now that we know what the 2021 New York Giants schedule look like, here are some takeaways.
“Once you first see the schedule you get excited,” said coach Joe Judge, whose initial season as the Giants’ coach ended with a 6-10 record and second place finish in the NFC East. “It starts to become real in terms of not just knowing the opponents you’re going to play, but when you’re going to play them. You start thinking about the opener, you start looking at your division games, you start mapping out the west coach trip and the longer trips on the road. You start thinking about the best way of setting up the team travel. You start looking at some of the short weeks coming off Monday night games and how you’re going to map out your practice that week.”
Get your tickets
First and foremost, that’s the important thing. We don’t know yet if New Jersey will allow MetLife Stadium to be at full capacity when the Giants face the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 12. There will, though, be fans in the stands. Football will feel and sound liek football again. Love it!
Aaron Rodgers hedge
That’s why the Giants and Broncos are in the national 4:25 p.m. ET slot. Just in case Aaron Rodgers gets traded to Denver. Yow know if that happens Giants-Broncos becomes the featured game in that time slot rather that Packers vs. Saints.
Personally, I don’t care. I’m just glad the Giants aren’t opening with a division game — especially against the Dallas Cowboys. It’d also nice to see the Giants opening at home.
“Denver is a good team and obviously they’re coached well,” Judge said. “They have some great systems in place. It’s definitely going to be a great challenge for us opening up against Denver. These are experienced coaches who will definitely have their team ready out of the gate. It’s going to take a lot for us to get ready. We’re going to have to have a good training camp and get ready for that opener.”
Monday night misery
The Giants get two Monday Night Football matchups — both on the road against the two teams that were in the Super Bowl. Week 8 the Giants are at the Kansas City Chiefs, and Week 11 they are at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Umm … thanks for the spotlight, NFL?
“It’s obviously a challenge playing Kansas City or Tampa,” Judge said. “They’re obviously two outstanding teams, well coached, very, very talented. We knew we were going to play those teams on the road. In terms of Monday night, I really don’t think that makes the biggest difference – although it will be a great atmosphere playing in both places. But we’re excited to get going and prepare for all those teams.”
You’ll have to hold your anger
Sorry, Giants fans. You don’t get to vent your anger at the Philadelphia Eagles — over Nate Sudfeld, DeVonta Smith, or just the fact that they are the Eagles — until they come to MetLife Stadium in Week 12.
Da Bears
I don’t know about you, but I’m intensely interested in this game. After the Bears traded up with the Giants in the NFL Draft to get Justin Fields, will Fields be at quarterback for Chicago in this game. It’s an intriguing late-season matchup, and it will be interesting to see the kind of rookie seasons Fields and Kadarius Toney are having.
NFC East finishing sprint
The Giants face NFC East opposition in three of their final four games. They host the Dallas Cowboys Week 15, visit the Eagles Week 16 and host Washington in the Week 18 (yes, that sounds weird) season finale. Let’s hope all of those games matter.
“For the league, I always think that’s a great thing to end the season with division games,” Judge said. “It keeps a lot of parity in what you’re doing, and it keeps a lot of competition down the stretch. I do like the way the league structures that, so you play a significant amount of your division games toward the end of the season. I think that’s something that’s very good for the competition and the parity of the league.”
2021 Giants schedule
Pre-season
Week 1 — New York Jets (TBD)
Week 2 — @ Cleveland Browns (TBD)
Week 3 — New England Patriots (TBD)
Regular season
Week 1 (9/12/21) — vs. Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m., FOX)
Week 2 (9/16/21) — at Washington Football Team (8:20 p.m., NFLN)
Week 3 (9/26/21) — vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 4 — at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 5 — at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m., FOX)
Week 6 (10/17/21) — vs. Los Angeles Rams (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 7 (10/24/21) — vs. Carolina Panthers (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 8 (11/1/21, Monday Night Football) — at Chiefs (8:15 p.m., ESPN)
Week 9 (11/7/21) — vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m., CBS)
Week 10 (11/14/21) — Bye
Week 11 (11/22/21, Monday Night Football) — at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:15 p.m., ESPN)
Week 12 (11/28/21) — vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 13 — at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 14 — at Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 p.m., FOX)
Week 15 (12/19/21) — vs. Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 16 (12/26/21) — @ Eagles (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 17 (1/2/22) — @ Chicago Bears (1 p.m., FOX)
Week 18 (1/9/22) — vs. Washington Football Team (1 p.m., FOX)
