Before offseason workouts get into full swing with OTAs, an early prediction for each game of the 2019 season for the New York Giants.
Although training camp is still a few months away for the New York Giants, the beginning of OTAs is a fun time to take an early look at the 2019 schedule for Big Blue and make game-by-game prognostications.
Will this be the final season in New York for Eli Manning? Answer: Yes. Will first-round draft pick Daniel Jones make his debut this coming season? More on that later.
Let’s gaze through the crystal ball and make a prediction for each contest.
Sept. 8 at Dallas: This will be the sixth time in the last seven years that the G-Men open their season in Big D. Things will not go well against the defending NFC East champs. Cowboys 34, Giants 24.
Sept. 15 vs. Buffalo: The Giants ride two rushing scores from Saquon Barkley to rout Josh Allen and the Bills in New York’s home opener. Giants 34, Bills 16.
Sept. 22 at Tampa Bay: The Giants secondary has a long afternoon trying to contain Mike Evans, who has nine receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown as the Bucs triumph. Bucs 21, Giants 18.
Sept. 29 vs. Washington: I’d love to see a matchup here between first-round picks Dwayne Haskins and Daniel Jones but it’ll probably be Colt McCoy vs. Eli Manning. Oh well. Sterling Shepard’s fourth-quarter touchdown lifts Big Blue, 17-14.
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Oct. 6 vs. Minnesota: The Vikings simply have too much offensive firepower for the G-Men to contain. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs each grab a touchdown toss from Kirk Cousins to power Minnesota to victory. Vikings 27, Giants 17.
Oct. 10 at New England: It’s a quick turnaround for Big Blue as they have to travel to Foxboro to battle the Super Bowl champs on Thursday Night Football. That’s a recipe for disaster. The ageless Tom Brady fires three touchdown passes as the Pats romp the G-Men, 41-13.
Oct. 20 vs. Arizona: Top draft selection Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown but also tosses a pair of interceptions as the Giants bounce back. Giants 20, Cards 10.
Oct. 27 at Detroit: Matthew Stafford runs for a touchdown and tosses two more as the Lions roar back from an early 14-point deficit to bounce the G-Men. Lions 31, Giants 24.
Nov. 4 vs. Dallas: In a defensive slugfest, Aldrick Rosas boots four field goals and the Giants D holds Zeke Elliott to just 74 yards rushing in a 19-16 Big Blue triumph.
Nov. 10 at NY Jets: These local squads meet once every four years during the regular season and this time Sam Darnold throws a pair of touchdown strikes to lift Gang Green to victory. Jets 21, Giants 13.
Nov. 24 at Chicago: After the bye week, Big Blue run right into Khalil Mack and the Bears at frigid Soldier Field. Despite a Barkley 16-yard scamper for a touchdown, Mack sacks Eli Manning three times and the Bears stomp the G-Men, 27-10.
Dec. 1 vs. Green Bay: Facing Aaron Rodgers is never easy and Packers fans are not disappointed. Rodgers outduels Manning (three touchdown passes to two) as the Pack roll, 34-23.
Dec. 9 at Philadelphia: Division games on the road are never easy. Barkley gallops for 160 yards and a score but Carson Wentz’s last-minute touchdown pass to Zach Ertz lifts the Birds. Eagles 28, Giants 27.
Dec. 15 vs. Miami: Finally, the debut of Daniel Jones as a starter. The Eli Era is over. Jones has a mixed performance (two touchdowns, two interceptions) but the Giants defense comes up big (five sacks) to power the G-Men to victory. Giants 31, Dolphins 20.
Dec. 22 at Washington: Sweeping a division opponent is very easy but Big Blue rides the power of Barkley (185 total yards from scrimmage, two touchdowns) to edge the Redskins in the nation’s capital. Giants 23, Redskins 19.
Dec. 29 vs. Philadelphia: The G-Men close out the season with a 30-24 setback to the Eagles but are happy to witness the continued development of Jones, who passes for 310 yards and a pair of scores.
Final Record: 6-10