LEFT FEELING BLUE

Giants have soft schedule, but not soft enough for a rebuilding team

The Giants have one of the NFL’s softest schedules on paper in 2022, with the AFC South, NFC North and NFC East on their slate.

But their roster is in rebuilding mode, reflected by just one prime time game on their entire schedule. And the division rival Cowboys, Eagles and Washington have similarly easy roads.

So how will it shake out in year one of the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll Era? The Daily News made predictions for the full 17-game schedule released on Thursday.

All start times are Eastern Standard. All games are on Sundays unless otherwise denoted.

WEEK 1 at Tennessee Titans Sept. 11, 4:25 p.m., FOX

Drawing last year’s top AFC seed and Derrick Henry is a harsh welcome to the new season, even with former top Titans wideout A.J. Brown traded to Philadelphia.

Prediction: Titans 24, Giants 13 Record: 0-1

WEEK 2 vs. Carolina Panthers Sept. 18, 1 p.m., FOX

Former Giants coach Ben McAdoo is running the Panthers’ offense with Sam Darnold now. If McAdoo walks into MetLife Stadium with his hair gelled that day, look out.

Prediction: Panthers 27, Giants 24

Record:

WEEK 3

0-2 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Sept. 26, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC, (Monday Night Football)

Go look up Dak Prescott’s career numbers against the Giants. On second thought, don’t. Prediction: Cowboys 23, Giants 10

Record: 0-3

WEEK 4 vs. Chicago Bears Oct. 2, 1 p.m., FOX

Bears GM Ryan Poles nearly got the Giants gig that Schoen landed. He’s trying to figure out his quarterback in Justin Fields similar to how Schoen is with Daniel Jones.

Prediction: Giants 20, Bears 17 Record: 1-3

WEEK 5

at Green Bay Packers (in London)

Oct. 9, 9:30 a.m., NFLN

Daboll has to fly his team all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to take a beating from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Prediction: Packers 27, Giants 12 Record: 1-4

WEEK 6 vs. Baltimore Ravens Oct. 16, 1 p.m., CBS

Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale will want revenge against John Harbaugh for firing him at the end of last season. Unfortunately, Lamar Jackson won’t cooperate. Prediction: Ravens 34, Giants 23 Record: 1-5

WEEK 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars Oct. 23, 1 p.m., FOX

Trevor Lawrence minus Urban Meyer plus Doug Pederson. This isn’t the easy game it looks like. Prediction: Jaguars 24, Giants 21 Record: 1-6

WEEK 8 at Seattle Seahawks Oct. 30, 4:25 p.m., FOX

The Giants would beat Drew Lock or Geno Smith. But if the Seahawks trade for Baker Mayfield? This gets interesting. Prediction: Seahawks 16, Giants 9

Record:

WEEK 9

1-7

Bye week

WEEK 10 vs. Houston Texans Nov. 13, 1 p.m., CBS

Desperation and a rebuilding opponent spells some post-bye relief for Daboll’s squad. Prediction: Giants 27, Texans 20 Record: 2-7

WEEK 11 vs. Detroit Lions Nov. 20, 1 p.m., FOX

Having to stop a healthy Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift is a scary thought for this Giants secondary. Prediction: Lions 31, Giants 24 Record: 2-8

WEEK 12

at Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving Day)

Thursday, Nov. 24, 4:30 p.m.,

FOX

Zeke eats.

Prediction: Cowboys 20, Giants 16

Record: 2-9

WEEK 13 vs. Washington Commanders Dec. 4, 1 p.m. FOX

With Ron Rivera coaching for his job and Carson Wentz on the rebound, Washington is no longer the Giants’ annual pushover. Prediction: Commanders 26, Giants 17

Record: 2-10

WEEK 14

vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Dec. 11, 1 p.m., FOX

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are yet another receiving duo that the Giants’ secondary will have trouble containing for four quarters.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 13 Record: 2-11

WEEK 15

at Washington Commanders Dec. 17 or 18, TBD

It’s about pride at this point. The Giants steal back last season’s Week 2 debacle in Landover.

Prediction: Giants 19, Washington 17

Record: 3-11

WEEK 16

at Minnesota Vikings (Christmas Eve)

Saturday, Dec. 24, 1 p.m., FOX

Deafening road stadium against one of the NFL’s top receiving tandems in Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Not ideal. Prediction: Vikings 37, Giants 19 Record: 3-12

WEEK 17

vs. Indianapolis Colts

Jan. 1, 1 p.m., CBS

Jim Irsay expects his new Matt Ryan-led Colts to make the playoffs this season. They’ll be in postseason mode here, with a lot on the line for Frank Reich. Prediction: Colts 22, Giants 21 Record: 3-13

WEEK 18

at Philadelphia Eagles

Jan. 7 or 8, TBD

Nick Sirianni’s team clinches the NFC East division title at Lincoln Financial Field. Prediction: Eagles 26, Giants 23 Record: 3-14

Final record: 3-14

At least Schoen gets a high draft pick in 2023.