The Giants are hoping for a breakout third season with quarterback Daniel Jones in 2021. New York finished second in the NFC East at 6-10 under new coach Joe Judge last season, an improvement from 4-12 the previous season.
With better health, led by running back Saquon Barkley, and upgrades in personnel all around, the Giants are more confident that they can jump into first place in Year 2 with Judge. Here is a complete breakdown of the Giants’ 2021 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
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New York Giants schedule 2021
Here is the New York Giants' complete schedule for 2021.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | vs. Broncos | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 16 | at Washington (Thursday) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NFLN |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | at Saints | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | at Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | vs. Rams | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | at Chiefs (Monday) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Raiders | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | Bye | — | — |
| 11 | Nov. 22 | at Buccaneers (Monday) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | vs. Eagles | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | at Dolphins | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | vs. Cowboys | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | at Eagles | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | at Bears | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | vs. Washington | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
The Giants have an interesting slate beyond their six division games against the Cowboys, Eagles and Washington. The other complete NFC division is the South, while the interconference rotation brings up the AFC West.
As a second-place team, the Giants also get the NFC wild-card Rams and Bears on top of the Super Bowl 55 champion Buccaneers. From the AFC, the Dolphins are the 17th opponent.
MORE: Strength of schedule for all 32 teams in 2021
Giants strength of schedule
The Giants, thanks to their weak division, are tied for the eighth-easiest schedule in the NFL with the Bills and Colts. New York's 2021 opponents had a combined 2020 record of 128-142-2, a winning percentage of .474.
The two games against Washington lead the contests against returning playoff teams. The Rams, Bears, Chiefs, Saints and Buccaneers make it seven out of 17 games.
Toughest tests: The Giants get the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Saints on the road. The Bears, Chargers and Dolphins round out the nasty non-division away slate. Of the home games, the Rams are easily the toughest foe.
Biggest breaks: The NFC East should be better, but the division still provides their most favorable games. The Falcons, Panthers, Raiders and Broncos are a welcome quartet of contests to soften the blows at home.
Bottom line: Jones has everything around him to be more successful winning games. The Giants' defense is in the next stage of its rebuild. Should Jones raise his passing and running, New York will have a real chance at an NFC playoff berth, either as East champs or fringe wild card.
Record prediction: 8-9
