The Ravens are the toughest matchup on the Giants' 2024 schedule.
John Schmeelk: Fact – The Ravens made it all the way to the AFC Championship game last season, while no one else on the schedule, spare the Buccaneers, made it to the divisional round. The Giants do get to host the Ravens at MetLife Stadium, which made me think twice for a moment, but the Ravens are still the most talented team on the schedule. The entire AFC North portion of the schedule will be a challenge, especially games in Pittsburgh and Cleveland against two very physical teams. The other two games in the running here are games at Dallas and Philadelphia, which are always tough matchups against talented teams.
Matt Citak: Fact – The Ravens were the best team in the NFL during the 2023 regular season. Their 13-4 record led the league, and that was after resting their starters in the regular-season finale loss against the Steelers. They finished with a top five offense, the league's No. 1 defense, and the league's Most Valuable Player in quarterback Lamar Jackson. After having the league's No. 1 rushing attack last season, Baltimore went out and signed Derrick Henry to replace Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Even after losing a couple of key contributors during free agency, the Ravens still are the toughest matchup on the Giants' 2024 schedule.
The NFC East is the most open division in the NFL.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Until proven otherwise, I will maintain there is a gap after the Cowboys and Eagles. I do think both those teams are more vulnerable, with Dallas losing talent in free agency, and the Philadelphia finishing last season as poorly as they did. At the same time, the Giants are improved and should be far closer to those two teams, while Washington has a new head coach, general manager, and quarterback. I wouldn't consider that a "wide open" division. The AFC North? Would it surprise anyone if any of the four teams win that division? The NFC South is similarly wide open. I think both those divisions are more open than the NFC East.
Matt Citak: Fiction – This has less to do with the NFC East and more to do with the competitiveness I expect to see out of the AFC North this season. The Ravens were the best team in the league during last year's regular season and added Henry, as I noted in my first answer. The Bengals will have a healthy Joe Burrow leading the offense, while the Steelers should have a lot more stability at quarterback with Russell Wilson as the new starter. Meanwhile, the Browns should have Deshaun Watson healthy and ready to go for the start of the season to combine with their stout defensive unit. I expect the NFC East to be a lot closer in 2024 than it was last year, especially with the Giants and Commanders both improving over the last few months. But the competition for the AFC North crown, which last year saw all four teams finish the season above .500, should be the most exciting division race in the NFL.
To commemorate their 100th season, the New York Giants today unveiled a "Century Red" uniform, which the team will wear for up to two games in 2024.
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
The Vikings are the sleeper team to watch among the Giants' opponents this season.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – I think it is the Colts, who could be a team that competes with the Texans to win the AFC South. Anthony Richardson looked good in limited early season play last year, and the Colts have put weapons around him to help him succeed coming off a shoulder injury. Jonathan Taylor is a top running back, and Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and rookie Adonai Mitchell are all dynamic weapons for Richardson to throw the ball to. Shane Steichen is an excellent offensive head coach. There are more questions on the defensive side of the ball for the Colts, but their offense could be excellent.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I'm going with the Indianapolis Colts for this one. The Colts drafted Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, and despite the young quarterback only playing two full games all season, the team still finished the year 9-8. Richardson will now enter his second season healthy with a nice array of weapons around him. Throw in Laiatu Latu, the first defensive player selected in this year's draft, to a defensive unit that also brought back linebacker Zaire Franklin, cornerback Kenny Moore II, safety Julian Blackmon and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (while adding defensive tackle Raekwon Davis), and it's easy to see the Indianapolis defense also taking a big step in 2024. The Colts could push the Houston Texans for the AFC South title this year.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is the best non-quarterback the Giants will face in 2024.
John Schmeelk: Fact – Myles Garrett is a monster. He is a complete defensive end that does everything well and is as dominant physically as any player in the NFL. He has had 12 or more sacks in every year but one (when he was suspended six games in 2019, he still had 10 sacks in 10 games) since his rookie year in 2017. He's been an All-NFL player five times and rightfully won the defensive player of the year award last year. He also plays in a scheme that lets him line up wide and rush the quarterback. Watching him do battle with Andrew Thomas will be a lot of fun. Runners-up here are TJ Watt, CeeDee Lamb, AJ Brown, Micah Parsons, and Roquan Smith.
Matt Citak: Fiction – As last year's Defensive Player of the Year winner, it would be easy to name Garrett as the best non-quarterback the Giants will face this season. However, I'm giving that honor to a different edge rusher from the AFC North – Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. While Garrett took home DPOY honors last year, Watt finished right behind him in the voting. The Steelers pass rusher has led the NFL in sacks in three of the last four seasons and has been named first-team All-Pro in four of the last five. Garrett and Watt were both taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and both have enjoyed plenty of success over the last seven seasons. While I'm giving Watt the slight edge, I can't knock anyone for picking Garrett here.
Check out the evolution of the New York Giants' uniforms through the years.
1927 New York Giants team photo (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
New York Giants' center Mel Hein is seen Oct. 11, 1945, in New York. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
RB Ward Cuff is shown in this 1945 photo. (AP Photo)
Kyle Rote, halfback for the New York Giants Oct. 24, 1951 at the Polo Grounds in New York. (AP Photo)
Arnie Weinmeister, New York Giant tackle, during workout at the Polo Grounds in New York City in 1952. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
This Dec. 11, 1956 file photo shows Andy Robustelli (81), an end for the New York Giants. (AP Photo/File)
Frank Gifford heads upfield during an NFL game on Nov. 3, 1957 (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford, shown at a workout on Sept. 9, 1958 in New York. (AP Photo/Rooney)
Photo shows Dick Nolan, half back for the New York Giants on Sept. 17, 1960. (AP Photo/John Rooney)
Y.A. Tittle after leading Giants to stunning 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 12, 1961. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
In this Sept. 3, 1963, file photo, New York Giants running back Alex Webster poses at the team's NFL training camp in Fairfield, Conn. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants QB Fran Tarkenton, Nov. 5, 1967 (AP Photo.Robert Walsh, File)
Fran Tarkenton, quarterback, New York Giants, (10) flanked by left Joe Morrison, and Joe Koontz (47) right, in 1968. (AP Photo)
Linebacker Pat Hughes watches play in 1972. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carl "Spider" Lockhart poses for a photo during training camp in Fairfield, Ct., 1974. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
RB Doug Kotar and Joe Dawkins clutch hands during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 23, 1975. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) during a 24 to 10 Giants win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 26, 1976 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Hall of Fame RB Larry Csonka watches from the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 26, 1976. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
QB Phil Simms throws a pass during the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson (53) looks on during the NFL football game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 22, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 27-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms is seen in action, 1984. (AP Photo)
Lawrence Taylor is congregated by Mark Collins and Carl Banks after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) catches a pregame pass during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 35-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Mark Collins watches pre-game warm-ups before the 1986 NFC Championship NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Jan. 11, 1987. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Phil Simms vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park Monday, November 27, 1989. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) on Monday, December 3, 1990. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Jessie Armstead (98) during a game from his 1993 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Rodney Hampton during a game from his 1995 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
Phillippi Sparkes holds his second interception of the night with teammates Tito Wooten (29) and Corey Widmer (90) during overtime against the Washington Redskins, Nov. 23, 1997. (AP/Doug Mills)
Keith Hamilton against the Oakland Raiders on September 13, 1998 in Oakland. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Amani Toomer celebrates after catching a 17 yard touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 5, 2000 (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cedrick Jones (94) and Thabiti Davis (82) celebrate their 17-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000. With the win the Giants are NFC East champions. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Kerry Collins sets to pass against the St. Louis Rams during their football game in St. Louis Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tiki Barber breaks through the Oakland Raiders' defense on his way to 95-yard rushing touchdown in the first half of NFL football on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Michael Strahan celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 at Giants Stadium (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Lawrence Tynes celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) celebrates after his 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl XLII football game against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) looks on before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
The Giants introduce their alternative uniforms with white pants vs. the Raiders November 10th, 2013
David Diehl (66) blocks during a week 10 football game against the Oakland Raiders on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Sterling Shepard (87) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Saquon Barkley scores a 1st quarter touchdown during a week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Saquon Barkley hurdles Philadelphia Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence react during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Darius Slayton
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Graham Gano (9)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
