Three 'can't lose' games for the 2024 New York Giants

The New York Giants were favored to win six games in 2023. They won four.  Here’s three games they’ll definitely win in 2024. 

Week 2 | at Washington Commanders

New York swept their division rivals last season, beating the Commanders by a combined score of 45-26. Thanks to a 20-20 tie in 2022, the Giants are 7-2-1 against Washington in their last 10 contests. 

Sam Howell was the Commanders’ quarterback in 2023 but he has been replaced by Jayden Daniels, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. He could be a problem for the NFC East at some point, but it won’t be Week 2 of the 2024 season.

The Giants have a dynamic rookie of their own in wide receiver Malik Nabers. The former LSU receiver caught 89 passes from Daniels last season, second-most in the FBS. He could be an issue in Week 2 if the Commanders don't do something about their porous pass defense.

Washington’s secondary allowed a league-high 262.2 yards per game last year. That’s something new head coach Dan Quin can fix, but it probably won’t be in early September against a more established Giants team.

Week 10 | at Carolina Panthers

Just when Panthers fans thought things couldn’t get any worse following a 2-15 season, the organization traded its best player to the Giants. Linebacker Brian Burns had 246 tackles, 46 sacks and a pair of Pro Bowl nominations in five years with Carolina.

He came to New York for a second-round pick, plus two fifth-rounders. In Week 10 he and fellow linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux be coming hard after Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. Taken first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young struggled with the Panthers as a rookie, throwing for 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions while taking 62 sacks, second-most in the league.

Of course New York’s offensive line allowed 65 sacks of their own but with new players like Jon Runyan Jr. on the team and Frankie Luvu (Carolina’s leading tackler last season) now with Washington, starting quarterback Daniel Jones should be able to stay upright against the Panthers.

Week 12 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New Panthers head coach Dave Canales spent last season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator and worked wonders with quarterback Baker Mayfield, but new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen has just one year of experience as an NFL play-caller.

New York’s run-defense allowed the fourth-most yards per game last year (132) but no team ran the ball worse than Tampa Bay in 2023. The Bucs rushed for a league-low 88.8 yards per game while lead back Rachaad White averaged a dismal 3.6 yards per carry with six touchdowns. 

The Bucs secondary wasn’t much better, allowing the fourth-most yards through the air (248.9) last season. They might have trouble stopping Nabers, who will be NFL tested by late November and could have a big day against Todd Bowles’ defense.