The Most Appealing Matchups on the Giants' 2020 Schedule
Every year when the NFL releases the schedule, fans anxiously begin to scrutinize the various games, timing, and details to get a taste of what's to come.
One of the intriguing things about the season schedule is looking at critical matchups in every game. Most fans believe that a win or loss comes down to winning a particular matchup. That matchup could be one on one, unit versus unit, or even coach vs. coach.
Well, this year, the Giants' schedule features a diversified mix of intriguing matchups which if they are able to win, they should give themselves an extra advantage in their quest to emerge victorious in the game. '
Let's look at each of the Giants 2020 opponents and the dream matchups that could likely make the difference in New York being a playoff contender or picking in the top five in the 2021 NFL draft
9/14/20 vs. Pittsburgh: DBs Minkah Fitzpatrick / Terrell Edmonds vs. TE Evan Engram
A staple of a Jason Garrett offense in his years with the Cowboys was the use of a tight end.
The Giants have an extremely talented tight end in Evan Engram, who, when healthy, can inflict a lot of pain on opposing defenses given his size and speed, which some have argued is more of a big receiver than a tight end.
In looking at the Steelers, it will be a challenge for their linebackers to stay with the speedy Engram in coverage. So the matchup to watch in this one is the duo of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmonds vs. Engram.
If Fitzpatrick or Edmonds ends up covering Engram, expect to see a heavy amount of blitzes from the Steelers. If Engram can win that matchup, it will go a long way towards winning the game.
9/20/20 at Chicago: EDGE Khalil Mack vs. OT Cam Fleming
The Bears defense is really good, and Khalil Mack is a primary reason why. Mack is not only a terror as a pass rusher, but he is also effective as a run defender.
In the past two seasons with the Bears, Mack has tallied two sacks, eight tackles, and four quarterback hits against the Giants.
How Fleming, projected to be the Giants' starting right tackle this year, performs against an elite rusher like Mack on the road will not only help the Giants be successful against the Bears, but it could help Fleming prove he is the long-term answer at right tackle for New York.
9/27/20 vs. San Francisco: Kyle Shanahan vs. Patrick Graham
In our first coach vs. coach dream matchup, we have 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, considered one of the best offensive minds in football, against Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who would presumably be the underdog in this one.
San Francisco has been applauded for its offensive schematic advantages. Graham will be charged with deploying his defensive innovation to match wits with Shanahan.
Can he figure out how to neutralize an offensive scheme that leaves receivers running wide open and running backs exploding through gaping holes? If not, expect a long afternoon for the Giants in this game.
10/4/20 at Rams: DT Aaron Donald vs. OGs Will Hernandez and Kevin Zeitler
The strength of the Giants offensive line last season was their guards. Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez will have to be at the top of their game when the Giants travel across the country to Los Angeles because Aaron Donald will be waiting.
The 2017 and 2018 Defensive Player of the Year is a nightmare for any offensive lineman to handle. Zeitler and Hernandez, who will likely get some help from whoever is at center (presumably Nick Gates), may not shut down Donald completely. Still, if they can control him, especially in pass protection, the Giants have a chance to get a quality road victory.
11/2/20 vs. Bucs: Giants Pass Rush vs. Bucs Offensive Line
Last season's fight between the Bucs and Giants was fun to watch and resulted in a 32-31 New York win.
One of the things that allowed the Giants to come out on top is the pressure the defense was able to get on former quarterback Jameis Winston which resulted in four sacks and an interception.
The Bucs have made additions to the offensive line, and they have changed quarterbacks.
Even though Tom Brady is more accurate than Winston, he'll need his offensive line to produce a mostly clean game as he's not as athletic as Winston. Plus, as history has shown, Giants fans (twice) get in Brady's face early and often, and suddenly he morphs into just another guy.
11/29/20 at Bengals: CB James Bradberry vs. WR A.J. Green
Cornerback James Bradberry was brought in for this very reason, which is to lock down elite receivers.
Everybody in Cincinnati has a vested interest in seeing A.J. Green regain the form that made him one of the best receivers in the NFL before injuries.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor needs Green to make his offense improve in Year 2 of his tenure, and rookie quarterback Joe Burrow needs a reliable go-to receiver to make his life easier.
After battling receivers in the NFC South with seemingly ease, Bradberry should be just another day at the office. It should allow the Giants defense to have success.
12/6/20 at Seattle: RB Saquon Barkley vs. LB Bobby Wagner
As crucial as Giants fans believe quarterback Daniel Jones is, opponents know that the key to shutting down the Giants offense is to shut down Saquon Barkley.
What better linebacker to try to achieve that feat than Seahawks defensive leader Bobby Wagner? Barkley is not only dangerous as a runner, he is equally as destructive as a receiver.
Wagner is one of the only middle linebackers who can stick with an elite back out of the backfield in what will make for an exciting chess match.
12/13/20 vs. Arizona: Giants Edge Rushers vs. QB Kyler Murray
When playing against Cardinals second-year quarterback Kyler Murray, it is essential to keep him in the pocket. Why? Murray has proven himself to be so dangerous as a runner and as a passer on the perimeter.
Forcing him to stay in the pocket where to be clear Murray can make the throws (though he seems to have more success outside of the pocket), will fall on the Giants' outside linebacker crew.
No one yet knows what kind of rotation defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has planned for that game regarding his outside linebacker deployment. Still, Markus Golden, Kyle Fackrell, Lorenzo Carter, and Oshane Ximines will all likely get a chance to chase Murray around and ensure that he doesn't get loose.
12/20/20 vs. Cleveland: RB Nick Chubb vs. ILB Blake Martinez
The Browns will be at their best if running back Nick Chubb is running wild this season.
The Giants don't want to become another notch in Chubb's belt, so it will likely fall on inside linebacker Blake Martinez, the "quarterback" of the Giants' defense, to make sure Chubb doesn't gash the Giants defense.
Chubb has racked up 443 tackles over the past three seasons. It will be imperative for Martinez to corral Chubb if the Giants want to ruin Odell Beckham's return to New York.
12/27/20 at Baltimore: S Jabrill Peppers vs. QB Lamar Jackson
Ravens quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is a force of nature and the most unstoppable force in the NFL.
Defenses who are trying to combat the Ravens offense need to have an athletic person to run with Jackson yet physical enough to get him on the ground.
Enter Giants strong safety Jabrill Peppers, who was born for this role. Peppers is fast, agile, and too physical. There's a good chance that part of the defensive plan will be to spy Jackson, and Peppers is the only guy on the roster that can do this.
NFC East Division Games
Washington: DE Chase Young vs. LT Andrew Thomas
Remember how fun it was to watch Giants defensive end Michael Strahan have his way with Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan? Well, this modern-day matchup between the number two and number four overall picks has just as much potential to be a fun one to watch twice a year.
Washington defensive end Chase Young's best tools are in pass rushing while Giants projected starting left tackle Andrew Thomas' gifts are in run blocking, so it will be interesting to watch who gains the upper hand during the game.
Both players were the consensus top players at their positions, and now it will be a great rivalry in the NFC East for years to come.
Philadelphia: TEs Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert vs. Giants Safeties
Many have talked about the lack of a 1,000-yard receiver on the Eagles team last season, but they conveniently forget how productive the tight ends were in their offense.
Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert accounted for over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. They combined for 16 receptions and 197 yards in two games against the Giants last season.
Considering Ertz missed the second contest, that number is significant. This season the Giants have a lot of talented safeties to throw at them. Between Peppers, Julian Love, and Logan Ryan, who also projects to see some snaps at safety, the Giants should have enough to handle those matchups.
Dallas: Mike McCarthy's offense vs. Jason Garrett's offense
The two offenses won't be on the field at the same time, but given the talent and the potential for an explosive point-scoring fest, these games could turn into high scoring affairs that become a matter of which offense ultimately wears down the opposing defense.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is allowing offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to call the plays, but it's still McCarthy's offense, and he will look to prove that his offense is more innovative than it was when he was in Green Bay.
Former Cowboys head coach and Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will be looking to prove that he hasn't lost anything off his fastball as a play-caller.
You can bet that both coaches will look to prove their worth, and both defenses could be in for long nights. How will McCarthy use his stable of weapons, and how will Garrett get the most out of his pieces?
If nothing else, it should make for an exciting storyline during these divisional matchups.
