2025 Giants game-by-game predictions: All gasps, no breaks … and plenty of ache

There was an uncommon quantity of optimism across the Giants this offseason. They lastly upgraded at quarterback. They even discovered one for the long run. Additionally they spent some huge cash on their protection after which landed the perfect defensive participant within the draft.

All of it factors to a greater workforce in 2025 and a brighter future for the embattled duo of coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen.

Not less than it will if the Giants did not have the NFL’s most tough schedule in 2025.

This struggling franchise, in determined want of a aggressive season, drew the hardest slate within the league, at the very least primarily based on final 12 months’s data. The Giants play 10 video games in opposition to 2024 playoff groups, and 6 of these video games come within the first eight weeks of the season.

They’re arrange for a brutal begin that would flip right into a depressing first half and may simply result in their tenth season of double-digit losses up to now 12 years. And that would occur even when they’re a much-improved workforce — particularly on protection — from the model that went 3-14 final 12 months.

Perhaps they’ll one way or the other do sufficient to place co-owner John Mara within the higher temper he mentioned he must be in on the finish of this season with a view to deliver the Schoen-Daboll duo again for an additional run. However Mara may need to look past wins and losses to search out his happiness.

As a result of the schedule is simply plain ugly. Right here’s a game-by-game look … should you dare:

Week 1: at Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 7

NYG +230, WSH -285

The sound you’ll hear within the Giants’ locker room will likely be like a balloon releasing all of its air. By the tip of the summer season, they’ll be feeling nice about their possibilities, boasting about their protection and believing deeply within the abilities of Russell Wilson. Then they’ll run down I-95 and proper into this very giant buzzsaw.

Outcome: Loss, 0-1 report

Week 2: at Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 14

NYG +160, DAL -192

Sending the Giants on the street in opposition to two division groups to begin the season appears unfair. Then once more, their complete schedule appears unfair. If the Giants can regroup, although, this recreation will likely be an fascinating check for his or her loaded move rush, now that includes No. 3 total decide Abdul Carter. If they will get to Dak Prescott, they’ll have an opportunity. If not, it might be ugly. And by the best way, that is in all probability the simplest of New York’s first 4 video games. 

Outcome: Loss, 0-2

Week 3: vs. Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 21

NYG +230, KC -285

Significantly, a house opener in opposition to the dynastic workforce of the previous decade? Who made this schedule, Jerry Jones? It’s unhealthy sufficient that the Giants should limp house with diminished expectations, however to not even give them a homecoming-type opponent is simply merciless. On the intense facet, I suppose it’s an excellent alternative to re-energize their depleted fan base in the event that they one way or the other pull off this miracle. 

Outcome: Loss, 0-3

Week 4: vs. Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 28

NYG +145, LAC -175

If there’s one factor that Jim Harbaugh certainly realized throughout his faculty teaching years, it’s how one can kick an opponent when it’s down. The excellent news for the Giants is that is in all probability the least explosive offense they’ve confronted to this point, so that they’ll doubtless be within the recreation. However they’ll have to hope for both a Justin Herbert meltdown or for Harbaugh to be outcoached by Daboll. Neither appears doubtless.

Outcome: Loss, 0-4

Week 5: at Saints, Sunday, Oct. 5

NYG -122, NO +102

Whew. Lastly, a delicate spot. And, after all, it’s on the street and in a stadium that’s typically one of many loudest, most intimidating buildings within the league. Nonetheless, given the Saints’ quarterback state of affairs — presumably rookie Tyler Shough will likely be beginning — the Giants’ move rush ought to have a discipline day. If it would not … properly, at the very least the Bourbon Avenue bars keep open late. 

Outcome: Win, 1-4

RELATED: Can Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough fill void left by Derek Carr’s retirement?

Week 6: vs. Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9

NYG +245, PHI -305

OK, properly, that break within the schedule was good. For punishment, the Giants get the Tremendous Bowl champs on a brief week. At this level, even Jerry Jones needs to be considering, “What did we do to these poor guys?” The Giants, by the best way, have misplaced seven of their final eight to Philly, 15 of their final 18, and 19 of their final 23 since 2014. This will likely be extra of the identical. 

Outcome: Loss, 1-5

Week 7: at Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 19

NYG +260, DEN -325

Of all of the playoff groups the Giants face, the Broncos could be essentially the most weak and beatable for them, with a really younger quarterback presumably vulnerable to their move rush. So after all they should go face them on the street. However sooner or later, the Giants should win one in all these unattainable video games, proper? … Proper?!? … 

Outcome: Win, 2-5

Week 8: at Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 26

NYG +380, PHI -500

Hey, look, Philly’s again for an additional spherical, simply to ensure the Giants don’t construct any momentum in the event that they pull off the upset in Denver. You already know what’s fascinating about this recreation? It falls someday wanting the twelfth anniversary of the final time the Giants received in Philadelphia, on Oct. 27, 2013. The Eagles had been quarterbacked by Matt Barkley and what was left of Michael Vick that day. The Giants have gone 0-12 there since. 

Outcome: Loss, 2-6

Week 9: vs. 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 2

NYG +150, SF -180

The Giants went 1-8 at house final 12 months and if they need anybody to even take into consideration shopping for tickets to see them late within the season, they’re going to should throw their followers a bone sooner or later. No, they’re not higher than the 49ers. However the 49ers did some rebuilding within the offseason and might be beatable if New York’s protection has a day. 

Outcome: Win, 3-6                                                                                             

Week 10: at Bears, Sunday, Nov. 9

NYG +180, CHI -218

This appears like a foul opponent for the Giants (I do know … aren’t all of them?). The Bears loaded up within the offseason, particularly alongside the offensive line. They’ve bought a younger, cellular quarterback who figures to be much-improved. They’ve bought a brand new head coach identified for his good offensive thoughts. Perhaps the Giants’ protection has a shot if Caleb Williams continues his struggles. However that looks as if a protracted shot. 

Outcome: Loss, 3-7

Week 11: vs. Packers, Sunday, Nov. 16

NYG +164, GB -198

The NFC North was the perfect division within the NFL final season, so, after all, that’s who the Giants play this 12 months. And, after all, the schedule-makers load up the perfect North groups early within the second half, simply to ensure the Giants are buried earlier than December. The Packers are a respectable Tremendous Bowl contender. The Giants … are usually not. 

Outcome: Loss, 3-8

Week 12: at Lions, Sunday, Nov. 23

NYG +310, DET -395

It may’ve been worse, I suppose. This might’ve been the Thanksgiving recreation so a nationwide TV viewers may watch the carnage. Actually, if the Giants one way or the other survive this two-game swing with their season intact, all of us owe Schoen and Daboll an apology. If not … properly, possibly it’s time to begin serious about subsequent 12 months. 

Outcome: Loss, 3-9

Week 13: at Patriots, Monday, Dec. 1

NYG +130, NE -155

It’s not 2026 but, however at this level all eyes in New York ought to be on it. If the Giants actually are 3-9 at this level (truthfully, that appears uncharacteristically optimistic for me), this is able to be the right spot to unwrap Quarterback of the Future Jaxson Dart. And should you suppose profitable his first recreation as a rookie on the street is an excessive amount of … properly, Daniel Jones did it in 2019. Yeah, I do know, that’s in all probability not the comparability Giants followers needed. 

Outcome: Win, 4-9

On the NFL Rookie Premiere occasion in Might, Jaxson Dart obtained a signed jersey and video message from former Giants QB and fellow Ole Miss Insurgent Eli Manning. (Courtesy of Fanatics)

RELATED: Inside Brian Daboll’s plan to show Jaxson Dart right into a star and save his personal profession

Week 14: Bye

Week 15: vs. Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 14

NYG +164, WSH -198

What, you had been anticipating the Giants would get some momentum heading into the bye week with a win? Truly, the late bye feels just like the black cherry on the highest of this poison sundae of a schedule, particularly because the Giants in all probability wanted the bye in Week 3. However at the very least they’ll have had two full weeks to relaxation and examine up on how one can beat top-of-the-line groups within the NFC … which after all they will’t do. 

Outcome: Loss, 4-10

Week 16: vs. Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 21

NYG +110, MIN -130

If Dart is taking part in at this level, this recreation will likely be an excellent showdown between the younger quarterback the Giants took this 12 months, and the one they handed on final 12 months (J.J. McCarthy). If Dart is not taking part in, this recreation will really feel like a dying march via a really empty stadium. Both method, the large benefit goes to McCarthy and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. 

Outcome: Loss, 4-11

Week 17: at Raiders, Flex Recreation

NYG +110, LV -130

If Dart isn’t taking part in on this recreation, he’s both damage or the Giants have determined he’s not what they thought he was. As a result of by this level, there isn’t any method their season isn’t over, which suggests there’s completely no motive to be losing time with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. By this level, for the sake of Mara’s temper, Schoen and Daboll want to point out him a glimpse of a greater future. In opposition to a foul Raiders workforce with their very own future quarterback points, Mara could get it. 

Outcome: Win, 5-11

Week 18: vs. Cowboys, Flex Recreation

NYG +102, DAL -122

It’s all about subsequent season now. On the intense facet, the stadium received’t be empty. Loads of individuals will come for a glimpse of Dart. And the opposite 75 p.c of the tickets will go to Cowboys followers. If Dallas has locked up its playoff seeding, Brian Schottenheimer won’t play the starters. If the Cowboys are taking part in for one thing, there’s at all times the prospect that they choke. The true focus, after all, will likely be on the proprietor’s field, the place everybody will wish to take Mara’s temperature to see if Schoen and Daboll have earned one other 12 months, or if he plans on cleansing his crumbling home but once more. 

Outcome: Win

Remaining report prediction: 6-11

The true disgrace of this Giants season is that if they’d a schedule that was just a bit simpler — possibly simply two or three extra soft-ish video games — they’d have a shot to actually present some respectable enchancment. They need to get significantly better quarterback play. Their offensive line ought to be higher. They’ve actually upgraded their protection, too. However they’re attempting to dig out of a 3-14 gap in opposition to a completely brutal, punishing schedule that hardly offers them a break alongside the best way. 

The Giants will likely be a greater workforce, however the progress will likely be incremental. And that’s a giant drawback for Schoen and Daboll, who’re sitting on very popular seats. Mara goes to should resolve whether or not he needs to look previous one other ugly report and attempt to promote his disillusioned fan base on hard-to-see progress, or whether or not he needs to bear yet one more franchise overhaul. 

It’ll be a tricky name, and this schedule received’t make any of it straightforward. Or fairly. Or enjoyable.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent the earlier six years masking the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years masking the Giants and the NFL for the New York Day by day Information. Observe him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

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