Giants Schedule: Ranking the Opposing Defenses

In many ways, the 2022 season will be one of new beginnings for the New York Giants. A new front office led by general manager Joe Schoen and a new coaching staff led by head coach Brian Daboll will embark on a nascent era of Giants’ football, with hope they can build this team into the contender they once were.

In another way, however, this season could potentially mark an end for two prominent Giants players, namely quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. Jones and Barkley have been the dual faces of the franchise following Eli Manning‘s retirement, taken with consecutive top-six picks in 2018 and 2019 drafts.

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Neither has truly lived up to their draft status, although Barkley at least had a spectacular rookie year before injuries, inconsistent play, and terrible offensive lines marred his last few seasons. Jones had a promising if not spectacular rookie season, but has similarly disappointed thereafter. After New York declined Jones’ fifth-year option, both are entering the final years if their rookie contracts.

There’s optimism that the Giants’ new offensive coaching staff will get the best out of Jones and Barkley. Both players will need highly productive seasons to earn second contracts in New York. In the the small-sample-size league that is the NFL, their success will be at least partially determined by the quality of defenses they play.

So, to get a sense of how difficult a slate the Giants’ offense is set to face, let’s rank from best to worst the defenses on their schedule.

1. Green Bay Packers (Week 5)

With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Packers have long been thought of as an offense-first team. But Green Bay has quietly amassed a young, talented defense. The Packers are the only team on the Giants’ schedule to rank top-10 in both yards and points allowed last season. They have arguably the NFL’s best cornerback in Jaire Alexander, an ascending young star in EDGE Rashan Gary, and a cadre of other quality defenders. This is a unit that’s on the rise.

2. Tennessee Titans (Week 1)

The Titans may not have a remarkably star-studded defense, but they only allowed 20.9 points and 330.7 yards per game last season. It’s fair to call Tennessee’s defense greater than the sum of its parts, but they also have some pretty darn good parts. Jeffery Simmons is one of the best young defensive tackles in football, while safety Kevin Byard, EDGE Harold Landry, and nickel back Elijah Molden are all difference makers.

3. Indianapolis Colts (Week 17)

Indianapolis has had one of the NFL’s better defense the past few seasons. From a talent perspective, they should be even better this year. The Colts added former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore at cornerback to bolster what had been a relative weakness. With Gilmore in the picture, along with linebacker Darius Leonard and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis has a star at every level of their defense. The only question is how they’ll miss former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who is now the Chicago Bears’ head coach.

4. Dallas Cowboys (Weeks 3 and 12)

The Cowboys’ defense had a breakout 2021 season, finishing eighth in points allowed. New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was a major factor in their turnaround, as was their league-leading 34 takeaways. The biggest revelation, though, was the dominant play of rookie linebacker Micah Parsons. Even with the loss of EDGE Randy Gregory in free agency, this defense should still be an aggressive, attacking, playmaking unit.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (Weeks 14 and 18)

The Eagles have a well-established defensive identity centered around a strong and deep defensive line. That won’t change this season, as rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis and the newly signed EDGE Haason Reddick will only bolster an already solid veteran group upfront. Though it may pain Giants fans to admit, the acquisition of cornerback James Bradberry will be a big boost to their secondary. Even Philadelphia’s linebacker corps has potential with rookie Nakobe Dean in the fold.

6. Carolina Panthers (Week 2)

While Carolina’s messy quarterback situation gets most of the attention, the Panthers have quietly assembled a very promising defense. EDGE Brian Burns is their star, but EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, safety Jeremy Chinn, and cornerback Jaycee Horn are all foundational pieces for a defense that should continue to improve. The Panthers ranked second in total yards allowed last season, so this group’s potential is more than theoretical.

7. Baltimore Ravens (Week 6)

After years of elite production, Baltimore’s defense finally had a down year last season. They finished below average in both total points and total yards allowed. That led to the firing of long-time defensive coordinator Wink Martindale (now with the Giants). While the Ravens’ defense will sport a new look in 2022, deference should still be paid to nearly unbroken success they’ve experience for over 20 years. As long as they stay healthy, they’ll still have one of the NFL’s best secondaries, which only got better with the addition of safeties Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton.

8. Washington Commanders (Weeks 13 and 15)

We’ve reached the point where it’s difficult to predict any of these defenses being good with any confidence. As such, we err on the side of potential here with Washington. Any team that can boast a defensive line composed of Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat should strike some fear into an offense. The back-seven is where questions arise for the Commanders. Washington will need to see a big second-year leap from linebacker Jamin Davis, and a bounce-back season from cornerback William Jackson.

9. Chicago Bears (Week 4)

Chicago’s defense has slowly declined from it’s peak a few years ago. They figure to take a big step back this season following the departure of EDGE Khalil Mack. The cupboards aren’t completely empty, as Roquan Smith is a very good linebacker and Robert Quinn can still rush the passer. Overall, though, this is a Bears defense between eras.

10. Minnesota Vikings (Week 16)

Much like the Bears, the Vikings are a defense that has become a shell of their former selves. They finished in the bottom third of the NFL in both points and yards allowed last season. New defensive coordinator Ed Donatell will try to get the most out of the proud veterans that are still on this defense, such as safety Harrison Smith or linebacker Eric Kendricks. Ultimately, this is a unit that’s past its prime.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 7)

Don’t get it twisted, Jacksonville will in all likelihood have a bad defense this year. Compared to the other teams left on this list, though, they at least have a handful of young players that could possibly have breakout seasons. EDGE Josh Allen is the most likely candidate, but cornerback Tyson Campbell, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and EDGE Travon Walker are all recent high draft picks with real upside.

12. Detroit Lions (Week 11)

The Lions are another bad defense with at least a couple young players worth getting excited about. Rookie second-overall pick Aidan Hutchinson will be the headliner, but Jeff Okudah and Alim McNiell developing talents as well. Even according the most optimistic projections, though, this defense won’t be good.

13. Seattle Seahawks (Week 8)

Looking over Seattle’s defensive depth chart is a troubling experience. The only silver lining is their safety tandem of Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, which is one of the better duos in the league. Beyond that, though, the Seahawks’ defense is composed of mediocrities or worse. They even lack young players with upside.

14. Houston Texans (Week 10)

Even a hardcore NFL fan would be hard-pressed to name many members of this Texans defense. They could probably name rookie third-overall pick Derek Stingley Jr., but anyone other than him could be a challenge. Houston is an undeniably rebuilding team, and their defensive roster certainly reflects that.

– 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.