NYG 2012 schedule

With the draft coming up and the schedule released, I am pumped and ready to watch my New York Giants defend their title. There are a few things about this schedule I don't like and some things that I do. I've heard a few sports talkers saying the GMen have by far the toughest schedule in the NFL, but they said that last year too and although they finished a mediocre 9-7, they beat the Falcons, Packers, 49ers and Patriots to win the crown.
Here is the schedule:

Week 1: (Wednesday, 9/5): New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Week 2 9/16: New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 3 9/20 (Thursday): New York Giants at Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Week 4 9/30: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Week 5 10/7: New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 6 10/14: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 7 10/21: New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 8 10/28: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:15 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 9 11/4: New York Giants vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:15 p.m. ET CBS

Week 10 11/11: New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 11: Bye

Week 12 11/25: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Week 13 12/3: New York Giants at Washington Redskins, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Week 14 12/9: New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:15 p.m. ET FOX

Week 15 12/16: New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 16 12/23: New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 17 12/30: New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The first thing I don't like is 3 of the first 4 games are primetime, and their rest period is scattered. Eleven days rest between games 1 and 2, then only four days rest between games 2 and 3, then ten days rest between 3 and 4 before they get back on a normal schedule.
As far as it being hard, especially after the bye....
I will admit that GB in NY is going to be extremely difficult. The Giants embarrassed the Packers at home in the playoffs and Green Bay will bring 120% to that game.
Otherwise, I am optimistic and here's why; the Steelers are not the team they were three or four years ago. As far as the Saints? The last two times they've faced NY they have blown them out in New Orleans, this year, the Giants have them at home in December. I hope it is 32 degrees with sleet/rain that day, although that is not typical New Jersey weather in early December, it could happen.
Traveling to the Ravens and Falcons could pose a problem, but if the Giants defense is healthy at that point, they can rattle Flacco and we saw them shut out the Falcons in the playoffs.
Ending the season with Philly could be as huge as ending it with Dallas was last year. That game could mean the division or a playoff spot. I think the NFC East is very balanced so I'll just start the Giants at 3-3 off the bat, figuring a split for each divisional series. I can see them going 9-7 again or maybe even 10-6, whether or not that makes them a playoff team, I have no idea. Plus, there is still so much that can happen, it is only April.

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