How the NFL schedule is made with VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North

The NFL announced the 2021 regular season schedule last week, and the Giants will open at home against the Denver Broncos.

Vice President of NFL Broadcast Planning Mike North joined Giants.com's John Schmeelk and Paul Dottino on the Giants Huddle Podcast recently to discuss the process behind creating the schedule, which takes longer than some might expect.

"The scheduling process starts the day after the regular season ends," North said. "That's when we know the final matchups. We're mostly rotation-based for whom plays whom, but there are a couple of standing-based games, or at least there used to be, now there are three with the 17th game. As soon as we know all of the matchups, we get started.

"Obviously, there are still a lot of storylines to finish up. Who wins the Super Bowl, rematch of the Championship Games, we follow the offseason like all of the other fans. Where are the free agents going to go, what's going to happen in the draft. But we start the day after the regular season ends, and we'll use every minute of every day that the Commissioner will give us... It's all day, every day, 24/7 from the day the regular season ends until the day the schedule gets released."

Giants' series history vs. 2021 opponents

Week 1 may not be for a while, but it is never too early to start looking ahead to the start of the regular season.

The Giants begin the 2021 campaign at home against the Denver Broncos. Following the season opener, Big Blue has a quick turnaround as the team will travel south to take on the Washington Football Team in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football. After the Giants' first divisional game, Joe Judge's squad will face off against the NFC South (vs. Atlanta Falcons, at New Orleans Saints) in consecutive weeks to close out the first month of the season.

Big Blue has experience against each of its 2021 opponents, from the 178 games against both Washington and Philadelphia to the 11 games against the Panthers.

Here is the Giants' series history against each of the team's 2021 opponents:

Week 1 | Giants vs. Broncos: 7-6

Week 2 | Giants at Washington: 105-69-4

Week 3 | Giants vs. Falcons: 12-13

Week 4 | Giants at Saints: 16-14

Week 5 | Giants at Cowboys: 47-69-2

Week 6 | Giants vs. Rams: 17-28

Week 7 | Giants vs. Panthers: 4-7

Week 8 | Giants at Chiefs: 11-3

Week 9 | Giants vs. Raiders: 5-8

Week 10 | Bye Week

Week 11 | Giants at Buccaneers: 16-8

Week 12 | Giants vs. Eagles: 87-89-2

Week 13 | Giants at Dolphins: 7-2

Week 14 | Giants at Chargers: 5-7

Week 15 | Giants vs. Cowboys: 47-69-2

Week 16 | Giants at Eagles: 87-89-2

Week 17 | Giants at Bears | 24-35-2

Week 18 | Giants vs. Washington: 105-69-4

Must-see photos from Giants Rookie Minicamp

Last weekend saw the 2021 rookie class hit the field for the first time as members of the Giants. Check out the gallery below to view the best images from last weekend's on-field activities.