Giants Schedule: Ranking the Opposing QBs

Strength of schedule is one of those things that is easy to evaluate after the fact, but incredibly difficult to predict. Parity in the NFL means that teams can have dramatic swings in their fortunes from year to year. Look no further than the Cincinnati Bengals, who played in the Super Bowl last season after winning four games the year prior.

As it stands, the New York Giants have a relatively easy slate in 2022, as only four of their scheduled opponents made the playoffs last season. But as we’ve come to learn about the NFL, recent success doesn’t portend future success.

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Perhaps the best method of determining a team’s strength of schedule is to examine their slate of opposing quarterbacks. After all, high-end play at the quarterback position is probably the best predictor we have that a team will experience consistent, year over year success.

So, with that in mind, let’s rank, from best to worst, the 14 different starting quarterbacks the Giants are set to face in 2022.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (Week 5)

It’s hard to argue against placing the back-to-back league MVP first on this list. Even at 38-years old, Rodgers continues to throw touchdowns and avoid interceptions at a superhuman rate. He may not quite have the elite physical tools he did in his 20’s, but his mastery of the game makes up for any marginal losses in mobility or arm strength. It remains to be seen if the departure of star receiver Davante Adams will diminish his production, but few, if any, play the position better than Rodgers.

2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Week 6)

The Giants will have to contend with back-to-back former MVP’s when play Jackson and the Ravens the week after they play Rodgers and the Packers. Jackson is probably the NFL’s rarest talent at the quarterback position, as his incredibly dymanic rushing ability combined with his solid passing ability make him a headache to defend. Maybe former Ravens and new Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will have the secret blueprint for stopping Jackson, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Weeks 3 and 12)

Entering his seventh NFL season, Prescott has settled into the very good, but not quite elite tier of starting quarterbacks. When provided with a strong offensive supporting cast, Prescott can put up numbers with the best of them. But he hasn’t demonstrated the ability to elevate his teammates like the upper echelon can. The Cowboys should have a top-notch receiving corps and offensive line, so Prescott will have his requisite arsenal.

4. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (Week 16)

Cousins is one of the most polarizing players in football. To some, he’s an underrated quarterback that receives unwarranted criticism while perennially playing at a well-above-average level. To others, he’s an overpaid mediocrity that comes up small in the biggest moments and holds his team back from championship contention. No matter to which group you belong, it’s hard to argue with the stats that show Cousins as a proficient producer at the position.

5. Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts (Week 17)

After 14 season with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan will finally don a different uniform in the hopes of winning a Super Bowl before he retires. It’s a testament to Ryan’s quarterbacking expertise that he remained relatively productive even as his physical skills and the Falcons’ roster deteriorated in recent seasons. The 2016 MVP certainly won’t impress with his arm strength or athleticism, but his know-how should translate into a productive season in Indy.

6. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (Week 1)

A disappointing playoff performance last season has left a poor taste in people’s mouths regarding Tannehill. But one bad game shouldn’t negate the three seasons of solid to very good play he’s had since coming to the Titans. He’s definitely reliant on play-action and an effective running game to be at his best, but when placed in the right context, Tannehill can do some serious damage.

7. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (Weeks 14 and 18)

That Hurts ranks this highly shows the anticipated ease of the Giants schedule. Despite making the playoffs in his first full year as a starter, the jury is still out regarding Hurts’ status as Philadelphia’s quarterback of the future. He can gash you with his legs if you’re not careful, but his ability as a pocket passer is questionable.

8. Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (Weeks 13 and 15)

This may seem high for a player that’s been jettisoned by two teams over the last two years, but Wentz is one of the last remaining quarterbacks on the Giants’ schedule with a proven track record, as shaky as it may be. Wentz is one of the most volatile quarterbacks in football, capable of making an incredible pass or a head-scratching interception on any given play.

9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (Week 11)

Goff is the only quarterback left on the Giants’ schedule with any history at all of playing well in the NFL, so he gets this spot on the list by default. The former Los Angeles Ram is unequivocally a placeholder in Detroit until they eventually find their quarterback of the future. Goff has taken a lot of flack the last couple of years, but he’s at the very least a starter-level quarterback that can make the throws that are given to him.

10. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 7)

The final five quarterbacks on this list are unproven, and arguably a couple that have proven to be bad. Lawrence ranks first among them as he offers the most upside. It’s not crazy to imagine the 2021 first-overall pick taking a huge second-year leap and becoming an actual good quarterback.

11. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (Week 4)

Much like Lawrence, Fields stays above the very bottom of this list thanks to his youth and potential. It was ugly at times for the 2021 11th-overall pick as a rookie, but there’s no denying his talent. Unfortunately for Fields, the support structure for him in Chicago appears to be lacking.

12. Davis Mills, Houston Texans (Week 10)

Mills slightly exceeded expectations for a rookie third-round pick in 11 starts last season. His completion percentage and touchdown to interception ratio were pretty respectable given his inexperience and the awful team surrounding him. The Stanford product showed enough to earn the right to start in 2022. He’ll be looking to prove himself as Houston’s franchise guy.

13. Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers (Week 2)

It appears that Darnold has finally run out of defenders. The 2018 third-overall pick got a fresh start in Carolina after three losing years with the New York Jets. Unfortunately, he responded with another putrid statistical season. The potential he offered as a draft prospect has completely dwindled away.

14. Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks (Week 8)

It remains to be seen whether Lock or veteran Geno Smith will actually start against the Giants in Week 8. Assuming the Seahawks roll with Lock because of his theoretical potential and because he was obtained the Russell Wilson trade, he should be the worst starter New York faces. The 2019 second-round pick has yet to look comfortable as a professional quarterback.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.