Early look at Week 1 opponent: Denver Broncos
With training camps coming to a close around the NFL, many teams have wrapped up their quarterback competitions. The Giants certainly kept an eye on them this summer as two of their first four opponents had questions at the most important position. Now, they have their answers.
In Big Blue's season opener, the Denver Broncos will travel to MetLife Stadium with Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterback after he beat out Drew Locke.
The former Carolina Panther impressed in his first two games this preseason by completing 84.2 percent of his passes, posting a 141.0 passer rating, and earning an 84.2 PFF grade. Denver also scored points on all four drives that he led in those contests.
"It was very exciting. I'm just happy that I get an opportunity," Bridgewater said after being named the starter. "It's an opportunity for us to continue to grow as a team, and I'm looking forward to that."
Three weeks after facing the Broncos, the Giants will travel to the New Orleans, where the Saints recently named Jameis Winston as the heir to legendary quarterback Drew Brees after a competition with Taysom Hill.
"I think we are just great teammates," Winston said about his relationship with Hill. "Our main focus is to win and protect the football. We're constantly trying to help each other with that, especially the winning part. It's about this team more than it is about us individually."
Winston turned heads in a primetime exhibition matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 123 yards, unloaded two impressive touchdown passes to receiver Marquez Callaway, and posted an impeccable 157.5 passer rating.
The Giants also have a Week 17 clash with the Chicago Bears, who named Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback last week. Chicago is opting for the veteran to begin the season over rookie Justin Fields. The Bears traded with the Giants on draft night to move up to the 11th pick to select the Ohio State product.
In total, Big Blue plays six teams that go into the 2021 season with a new quarterback, including five in their first seven games.
How tough is the Giants' schedule? Click to view each team's strength of schedule for the 2021 season based on the records of their opponents from 2020.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Strength of Schedule: .574
2. Baltimore Ravens
Strength of Schedule: .563
3. Chicago Bears
Strength of Schedule: .550
2021 Matchup: Giants at Bears
4. Green Bay Packers
Strength of Schedule: .542
5. Minnesota Vikings
Strength of Schedule: .531
T6. Cincinnati Bengals
Strength of Schedule: .529
T6. Detroit Lions
Strength of Schedule: .529
8. Las Vegas Raiders
Strength of Schedule: .526
2021 Matchup: Raiders at Giants
9. Cleveland Browns
Strength of Schedule: .518
10. Los Angeles Rams
Strength of Schedule: .515
2021 Matchup: Rams at Giants
T11. Kansas City Chiefs
Strength of Schedule: .511
2021 Matchup: Giants at Chiefs
T11. Seattle Seahawks
Strength of Schedule: .511
T13. Tennessee Titans
Strength of Schedule: .507
T13. Arizona Cardinals
Strength of Schedule: .507
T15. Washington Football Team
Strength of Schedule: .504
2021 Matchup: Washington at Giants, Giants at Washington
T15. Houston Texans
Strength of Schedule: .504
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Strength of Schedule: .493
2021 Matchup: Giants at Chargers
18. Jacksonville Jaguars
Strength of Schedule: .491
T19. San Francisco 49ers
Strength of Schedule: .489
T19. New York Jets
Strength of Schedule: .489
T19. New England Patriots
Strength of Schedule: .489
22. New Orleans Saints
Strength of Schedule: .483
2021 Matchup: Giants at Saints
T23. Buffalo Bills
Strength of Schedule: .478
T23. Indianapolis Colts
Strength of Schedule: .478
25. New York Giants
Strength of Schedule: .474
26. Carolina Panthers
Strength of Schedule: .472
2021 Matchup: Panthers at Giants
T27. Denver Broncos
Strength of Schedule: .471
2021 Matchup: Broncos at Giants
T27. Miami Dolphins
Strength of Schedule: .471
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Strength of Schedule: .465
2021 Matchup: Giants at Buccaneers
30. Atlanta Falcons
Strength of Schedule: .454
2021 Matchup: Falcons at Giants
31. Dallas Cowboys
Strength of Schedule: .452
2021 Matchup: Cowboys at Giants, Giants at Cowboys
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Strength of Schedule: .430
2021 Matchup: Eagles at Giants, Giants at Eagles
Standouts: Final showcase before real thing begins
Joe Judge apologized for being late to his postgame press conference after the Giants lost to the Patriots in the final tune-up before the regular season.
With less than 48 hours until all NFL clubs must reduce their rosters from 80 players to the regular-season limit of 53, the second-year head coach thought it was the appropriate time to go around the locker room one by one. The Giants are about to break a grueling training camp, which included three preseason games, two rounds of joint practices on the road, and of course, a lot of conditioning.
"This being the situation and which game it is, you want to take the time to go around and see all your players and look them in the eye and tell them thank you," Judge said. "I was proud of the way the guys fought tonight."
"Saw a lot of guys competing tonight, competing for playing time, competing for jobs," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It was impressive to see on both sides. Kind of like last week, this capped off a really good week for us with the Giants practices and then tonight. It's a good opportunity over the course of that time to really see everybody, give everybody a chance to play and compete against good competition, against another good football team."
Whether they were tuning up or still trying out for the team, here are the standout players from Sunday:
LB Blake Martinez
The middle linebacker thinks he is a defensive back now. He told DB coach Jerome Henderson as much after he made one of the better defensive plays you will ever see – from any position. With his back to starting quarterback Cam Newton, Martinez tracked Jakobi Meyers 35 yards down the middle of the field and wrestled the ball away from the wide receiver as they both hit the turf.
"So Jerome at halftime was like, 'Hey, we can't let the linebackers beat us,'" Martinez said. "But, I was like, 'Whoa, I'm part of your guys' group now.' So, I'll try to help them out."
📸 Must-see photos from Giants vs. Patriots
The Giants came up short in the preseason finale, falling to the New England Patriots 22-20.
Check out the gallery below to view must-see photos from the final tune-up game before the start of the regular season.
Check out the best photos from the Giants' preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith (82) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New England Patriots free safety Adrian Colbert (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) fights for control of the ball with New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Martinez intercepted the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez, left, intercepts a pass to New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez, left, intercepts a pass to New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants' Evan Engram (88) is stopped short of the goal line during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) fights for control of the ball with New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Martinez intercepted the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) fights for control of the ball with New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Martinez intercepted the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) rushes past New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (8) and Justin Bethel (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) fights for control of the ball with New England Patriots' Jakobi Meyers (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Martinez intercepted the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) calls out to his players during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs for yards after catch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) before an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) before an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants offensive guard Kenny Wiggins (79) spikes the ball in front of New England Patriots' Adrian Colbert (30) and D'Angelo Ross (39) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants' Nakie Griffin-Stewart (47) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano celebrates after kicking the point after try during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is chased out of bounds during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge looks on against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a break in action against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith (82) catches a pass in front of New England Patriots free safety Adrian Colbert (30) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith (82) catches a pass in front of New England Patriots free safety Adrian Colbert (30) and D'Angelo Ross (39) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones calls out to his team during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence (97) tackles New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants' Alex Bachman (15) runs past New England Patriots' Mike Jackson (35) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants running back Elijhaa Penny (39) celebrates after a run during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants running back Elijhaa Penny (39) rushes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants' Alex Bachman (15) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants' Corey Clement (30) rushes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants' Alex Bachman (15) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants wide receiver Alex Bachman (15) makes a catch during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
The New York Giants line up across from the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Elijhaa Penny (39) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants' Willie Henry sacks New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Leonard Williams (99)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Blake Martinez (54)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Logan Ryan (23)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Xavier McKinney (29), Oshane Ximines (53)
Blake Martinez (54)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Logan Ryan (23)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Riley Dixon (9), Graham Gano (5)
Willie Henry (90)
Riley Dixon (9), Graham Gano (5)
Trent Harris (93), David Moa (96)
Trent Harris (93)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Riley Dixon (9)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Willie Henry (90), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Madre Harper (45)
Willie Henry (90)
Mac Jones (10), Daniel Jones (8)
Jakob Johnson (47), Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Jakob Johnson (47)
Mac Jones (10), Daniel Jones (8)
Mac Jones (10), Daniel Jones (8)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Jakob Johnson (47)
Willie Henry (90)
Casey Kreiter (58), James Ferentz (65), Carl Davis (98)
Tae Crowder (48), Cam Brown (47)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Blake Martinez (54)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Matt Cole (83)
Matt Cole (83)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Alex Bachman (15)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Leonard Williams (99), Cullen Gillaspia (36), Niko Lalos (57)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Logan Ryan (23)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Logan Ryan (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Madre Harper (45)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dante Pettis (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Corey Clement (30)
Riley Dixon (9)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Corey Clement (30)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dante Pettis (13)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Kadarius Toney (89)
James Bradberry (24)
Madre Harper (45)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Matt Cole (83)
Jordyn Peters
Damion Willis (87)
Chad Slade (62), Will Hernandez (71), Jackson Barton (72), Nick Gates (65), Brett Heggie (61)
Chad Slade (62), Will Hernandez (71), Jackson Barton (72), Nick Gates (65), Brett Heggie (61)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Chad Slade (62), Will Hernandez (71), Jackson Barton (72), Nick Gates (65), Brett Heggie (61)
Chad Slade (62), Will Hernandez (71), Jackson Barton (72), Nick Gates (65), Brett Heggie (61)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Dante Pettis (13)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Dante Pettis (13)
Dante Pettis (13)
Kaden Smith (82)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Devante Downs (52)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Niko Lalos (57)
Austin Johnson (98)
Niko Lalos (57)
Austin Johnson (98)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Rodarius Williams (25), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Julian Love (20)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Chad Slade (62)
Graham Gano (5)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
James Bradberry (24)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Leonard Williams (99)
Single Game Tickets
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