It’s a miserable schedule. There’s no way around that. You knew the Giants’ 2025 opponents before Wednesday’s official release, but seeing it in a week-by-week order somehow makes it worse.

It’s a challenge for a Super Bowl contender. Factor in the Giants’ 3-14 record from a season ago, though? The league has done them no favors.

The Giants spent the offseason talking about the young talent on their roster, who they expect to make significant strides this year. They’ve added to that with aggressive free-agent signings (Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo) and a draft class (Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart) that most around the NFL hold in high regard.

Is it enough to make substantial improvements?

Here’s a breakdown of what lies ahead for New York.

Must-watch game

Week 1: Giants at Washington

There’s always hype heading into the opener. That was the case a season ago, too. Then the Vikings waltzed into MetLife Stadium and whooped the Giants, 28-6. Considering the new pieces added this offseason, it’s imperative the Giants get off to a hot start. Another poor showing in the opener and the fan base will drown, sensing here-we-go-again.

The Commanders are fresh off a trip to the NFC Championship game. Phenom Jayden Daniels is back for an encore. They have high expectations, but they might be due for a little regression. This is an opportunity for the Giants to catch their divisional rival a little off guard.

The toughest stretch

Weeks 1-9: at Washington, at Dallas, vs Kansas City, vs L.A. Chargers, at Saints, vs Philadelphia, at Denver, at Philadelphia, vs San Francisco

It’s hard to pick half the schedule as the hardest stretch, but that’s the case. The first nine weeks the Giants face three playoff teams (Washington, Chargers, Broncos), the two teams that faced each other in the Super Bowl (Eagles, Chiefs), a team they haven’t beaten since 2021 (Cowboys), the team that was in the Super Bowl two years ago (49ers), and the Saints.

So much can happen between now and then (injuries, surprise stars, overachievers, underachievers). It’s hard to feel optimistic about New York getting to Thanksgiving with their playoff hopes alive. Three wins during this stretch are a legitimate accomplishment. You just hope the Giants aren’t sitting 1-8.

The easiest stretch

Weeks 10-13: at Chicago, vs Green Bay, at Detroit, at New England

If the Giants can survive murder’s row, things do lighten up a little after that. Absent the Lions, who are always a threat (although they face offensive questions without Ben Johnson), the Bears, Packers and Patriots are potentially winnable.

Three storylines worth monitoring

Is this team legitimately improved?

The Giants were a disaster a season ago. Few front offices and coaching staffs survive a 3-14 season. Even fewer when that level of ineptitude occurs in the third year of the regime. The Giants have spent every spare minute this offseason justifying Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll’s retention by telling anyone who would listen that this team is better than their record indicated. They were held back by their quarterback. They improved their quarterback, so now they’ll flip so many of those one-possession games.

Theoretically.

The Giants are absolutely a better team than they were a year ago. The additions on defense (like Adebo, Carter, Holland) give the Giants top-five talent on that side of the ball. Russell Wilson, while nowhere near the player he once was, should be an improvement over Daniel Jones. Is he enough to flip games, though? Considering the Giants bring the 10 other starters from the 31st-ranked offense back?

Again: The Giants think so. The regular season will confirm or deny.

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