The NFL did the Giants no favors in the schedule making process. While the slew of opponents is already determined based on division finishes and inter-conference matchups, the Giants are going to be thrown into a gauntlet in the 2025 season. 2025 is going to test the Giants roster improvements and young core early and often. Between a tough division and home matchups against both Super Bowl teams, the Giants could be in for another long year. Hopefully, Brian Daboll has his players prepared and ready to fight. Here are the five most difficult matchups for the Giants in the 2025 regular season.
Brian Daboll
May 10, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks on during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
5. Week 7 @ Denver
The Broncos are an up-and-coming team that made the playoffs last season. Even if Bo Nix regresses, Denver still has an elite defense that forces turnovers and keeps opponents out of the red zone. Not to mention, they added depth to a secondary that already features reigning defensive player of the year corner Patrick Surtain. Sean Payton and company might be licking their chops when it comes to game planing against Russel Wilson in this midseason matchup.
Denver as a city might be a fun trip for Giants fans, but the game itself could get ugly quick.
4. Week 6 vs Philadelphia (Thursday Night Football)
This is supposed to be a rivalry game that fans circle every year. However, the Giants are 4-18 in their last 22 regular season games against Philly. So, it’s really not much of a rivalry until the Giants make it one again.
Last year, Saquon Barkley ran for 186 yards in his return to MetLife Stadium. This year, he returns to MetLife for his first primetime game against his former team. If the Giants run defense doesn’t step up, Barkley might have a new arsenal of explosive highlights in an Eagles uniform.
3. Week 3 vs Kansas City (Sunday Night Football)
Two division road games to start the year are a difficult task, especially for a team coming off a 3-14 season. Ideally, the NFL gifts the Giants with a softer home opener in week three, right? Well, the league couldn’t pass up the opportunity for Mahomes to play in New York on primetime. The league probably wants to make sure Giants fans fill the stadium, so they slated this early in the season.
From a matchup standpoint, it’s Patrick Mahomes. He and the Chiefs might play down to the competition for 3 and a half quarters, but is there any genuine belief that they’ll blow a game against the lowly Giants?
2. Week 12 @ Detroit
There’s a chance that the Giants catch Detroit sleeping before their Thanksgiving game here. However, this is arguably the best roster in the NFL at home with a reignited fanbase. Like all the other games, this would be a statement win if the Giants pull off the upset. Not many will expect it, but stranger things have happened.
1. Week 8 @ Philadelphia
It’s already been mentioned how badly the Giants have played against the Eagles in the last decade. What’s even worse is that the last time the Giants beat the Eagles in Philadelphia was 2013. The Eagles quarterback that game was Matt Barkley. Overall, they’re 0-12 in Philly since 2014, not including the embarrassing 38-7 playoff loss in 2022.
The timing of this game makes it extremely difficult for the Giants, as well. This could be the third game in a trio of challenging matchups. The team could very well be spiraling out of control at this point and a grueling loss to their most hated rival could sadly put their season in a coffin before Thanksgiving.
Could the Giants pull off any upsets here? Is the roster going to develop faster than fans expect and deliver a promising season? Are there any other difficult matchups for the Giants that didn’t make this list?
Main Image: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports