The New York Giants have the toughest schedule in football this season.
That does not mean they are - as many critics think - doomed.
Few teams were able to improve their roster across the board this offseason like the Giants were able to do. They have a top young receiver in Malik Nabers, a good young running back in Tyrone Tracy, and a defense that looks far different than in recent years.
As always, it comes down to the quarterback.
Whether it is Russell Wilson or 25th overall pick Jaxson Dart who gets the starts, the Giants need to find a quarterback who can win games for the franchise. Head coach Brian Daboll understands that well. If he cannot improve off of New York's three wins last season, he may get fired after four years with the team.
That is the situation right now. Win and save the jobs of people around the organization. Lose, and a lot of changes are coming.
There is reason for hope outside of just the roster, though. The Giants have to follow a similar blueprint to what their NFC East rival, Washington Commanders, ran for their rebuild last season.
In 2024, the Commanders improved their win total by eight games and reached the conference title game. A big part of that was because they played a last-place schedule after winning just four games in 2023. Washington's opponent list last season was far easier than what the Giants have to deal with.
Things change from year to year, though.
The hard schedule that New York is set to face may not be so daunting by the end of it. They have a defense that can make life miserable for any offense in the league.
If the coaching staff can operate similarly to how the Commanders did last season, then the Giants could avoid “doom” and make a Washington-like leap in 2025.