New York Giants 2024 schedule: Daniel Jones, Brian Daboll have shot at a much-needed fast start

For football fans who love to plan, there’s no better day than the NFL schedule release day. While we may still be four months away from the 2024 season’s official kickoff, we’re one step closer to football Sundays.

There’s little doubt the New York Giantsface a critical season after finishing a disappointing 6-11 last year. That season of turmoil led to a coaching staff overhaul, (more) quarterback unrest, major changes in free agency, a blockbuster trade and a top-10 pick, so there’s no shortage of intrigue this upcoming year.

General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll will be under even more scrutiny this season to show progress in their third years at the helm. That will be a big challenge considering the Giants’ opponents this year. Based on last year’s standings, the Giants are slated to face the sixth-toughest strength of schedule, so they’ll have their work cut out.

1	Sept. 8	Vikings	1 p.m.
2	Sept. 15	at Commanders	1 p.m.
3	Sept. 22	at Browns	1 p.m.
4	Sept. 26	Cowboys	8:15 p.m.
5	Oct. 6	at Seahawks	4:25 p.m.
6	Oct. 13	Bengals	8:20 p.m.
7	Oct. 20	Eagles	1 p.m.
8	Oct. 28	at Steelers	8:15 p.m.
9	Nov. 3	Commanders	1 p.m.
10	Nov. 10	at Panthers	9:30 a.m.
11	BYE
12	Nov. 24	Buccaneers	1 p.m.
13	Nov. 28	at Cowboys	4:30 p.m.
14	Dec. 8	Saints	1 p.m.
15	Dec. 15	Ravens	1 p.m.
16	Dec. 22	at Falcons	1 p.m.
17	Dec. 28 or 29	Colts	TBD
18	TBD	at Eagles	TBD

Although every club aspires to win its inaugural game, Giants supporters would greatly benefit from a win in Week 1, especially after last year’s disastrous opening — a 40-0 thumping by Dallas — which portended a difficult remainder of the campaign. It would be a big step forward to win the first game of the season. It ought to be attainable as well. Although Minnesota has a strong roster, there are concerns at quarterback. Either the seasoned Sam Darnold or the youngster J.J. McCarthy, making his NFL debut, will face the Giants. Depending on whether or not McCarthy plays, the Giants’ decision to pass on him in the draft might be viewed as either wise or dumb.

The offensive line will be the most important area to watch in Week 1, barring the McCarthy controversy. The offensive line hit catastrophic lows last season, and it began in the opening game, following a decade of subpar play. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered seven sacks as the offensive line gave up twenty pressures and twenty-three rushes. The Giants would finish up giving up the second-most sacks (85) in NFL history by the end of the season. One of those sacks resulted in a neck injury for Jones, who missed three games before tearing his ACL.

The team conceded the second-most pressures in the league with 282. After the appalling performance, the entire room was reorganised, with Carmen Bricillo being hired and position coach Bobby Johnson being fired. Along with other experienced veterans, the Giants added Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan with the help of significant free agency cash. Another sign that things are going well will be if the line performs well against a strong Vikings pass rush led by Jonathan Greenard and first-round pick Dallas Turner.