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Creating the NFL’s schedule is always a process. We knew a long way in advance most of the teams the New York Giants would face in 2017.
For instance, we knew they would have home and away games against the rest of the NFC East. We also knew that the NFC East would be playing the NFC West and AFC West. We also knew that they would be playing the teams from the NFC North and NFC South that finish with the same division ranking in their respective divisions and the Giants finish with in the NFC East.
What we didn’t know before today is who their exact opponents would be, and we still don’t know when they will play each game. But with the 2016 season in the books, here is what we DO know.
Home Games
NFC East
NFC West
NFC North
AFC West
Away
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
NFC West
NFC South
AFC West
Observations
- The Giants catch a big break by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks. The Giants have to focus on building a consistently functional offense, and for a team with execution problems, not having to travel to the two loudest stadiums (with two dangerous defenses) in the league is a boon. They will also get their NFC North opponent at home, another plus against a dangerous offense.
- That’s offset by having to travel TO Denver and Oakland. Oakland has quietly built a formidable team. Their offense is explosive and it won’t take much to bring their defense up to par. The Broncos have serious offensive problems and have to find a new head coach, but their defense is still nothing to sneer at. Having to face both Von Miller and Khalil Mack on the road is going to be a stiff test the Giants’ offensive line.
- Speaking of the Broncos looking for a new head coach, the Giants will face at least three teams with new head coaches in 2017. As of this writing, the Broncos, 49ers, and Rams will all have new, possibly rookie, head coaches next year. The Giants faced two teams with new head coaches in 2016 (Eagles and Cleveland Browns).