2021 NFL Schedule predictions for Giants, Jets

The NFL Schedule is officially out and the time has come to make way-too-early predictions about how the New York Jets and New York Giants will fare in the upcoming season. We did this exercise last year and were pretty close on the Giants (predicted 7-9 vs. their actual 6-10 finish) and way off on the Jets (predicted 9-7 vs. actual 2-14). Let's take a dive into each team this year, starting with the Giants.

New York Giants schedule

Week 1: Vs. Denver Broncos

This game gets significantly trickier if Aaron Rodgers ends up in Denver but we're operating under the assumption he stays in Green Bay. The Giants squeak out a close one here.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: At Washington Football Team

Playing on a short week is never easy but it is important to note that Daniel Jones is 4-0 in his career against Washington. The Giants pick off a few key Ryan Fitzpatrick passes to steal a road win.

Record: 2-0

Week 3: Vs. Atlanta Falcons

This game is an interesting one since the Falcons figure to be far more competitive this season than they were in 2020. Atlanta's shaky defense allows the Giants to pick up a key win at home.

Record: 3-0

Week 4: At New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees may be gone but the Saints still have a great defense along with capable offensive weapons for Jameis Winston. The Superdome should be rocking and that will make life difficult for the Giants.

Record: 3-1

Week 5: At Dallas Cowboys

These teams played a barnburner in Dallas last season which was notable for being the game where Dak Prescott got injured. A healthy Prescott should help the Cowboys win a shootout.

Record: 3-2

Week 6: Vs. Los Angeles Rams

This is by far the most difficult team that the Giants have faced to this point. Having this game in New York helps but Los Angeles has fared well on the East Coast under Sean McVay, a trend that continues here.

Record: 3-3

Week 7: Vs. Carolina Panthers

Sam Darnold's return to MetLife Stadium is a rough one as the Giants' defense takes advantage of a suspect offensive line to harass Darnold. Jones has a big day as the Giants snap a three-game losing skid.

Record: 4-3

Week 8: At Kansas City Chiefs

Going into Arrowhead Stadium is never easy and facing Patrick Mahomes in primetime will be brutal. This game gets ugly quickly.

Record: 4-4

Week 9: Vs. Las Vegas Raiders

MetLife Stadium has been a problem for the Raiders, who have struggled mightily there against the Jets in each of the past two seasons. That trend continues as the Giants pick up a big win to hit their bye above .500.

Record: 5-4

Week 10: Bye

Week 11: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Giants were able to hang with the Buccaneers on Monday night last season but that game was at home. Going to Tampa Bay will expose the talent gap between the two teams in a big way.

Record: 5-5

Week 12: Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

There will be a significant motivational boost in this game as the Giants believe the Eagles laid down to keep them out of the playoffs. All of that frustration gets let out here.

Record: 6-5

Week 13: At Miami Dolphins

Playing in Miami in December is a break for the Giants since they avoid the brutal heat of an early-season showdown against the Dolphins. This is a winnable road game and the Giants take care of business.

Record: 7-5

Week 14: At Los Angeles Chargers

This trip out west isn't great for the Giants, who have to deal with a rising Chargers team that should be peaking at this point of the season. Los Angeles wins a close one as Justin Herbert shreds the New York defense.

Record: 7-6

Week 15: Vs. Dallas Cowboys

This game will be absolutely critical in the Giants' hopes of winning the division, especially after Dallas took the first meeting. The contest is close but Jones finds a way to get the job done.

Record: 8-6

Week 16: At Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants haven't swept the season series with the Eagles since 2007 and haven't won at the Linc since 2013. Both of those trends continue as Philadelphia deals Big Blue a tough loss.

Record: 8-7

Week 17: At Chicago Bears

This game will be very interesting since Justin Fields should be under center for Chicago at that point. These teams have met at Soldier Field in each of the past two seasons with the Bears winning close games, a trend that likely continues here as Chicago's tough defense frustrates Jones and company.

Record: 8-8

Week 18: Vs. Washington Football Team

This is a must-win game for the Giants, who have to win to give themselves a chance to get to the postseason. Jones' mastery of Washington continues here as the Giants score a critical win to finish above .500 and put themselves in a position to potentially win the division at 9-8.

Record: 9-8

New York Jets Schedule

Week 1: At Carolina Panthers

The matchup with Carolina will feature a ton of hype as the Sam Darnold revenge game but this is actually a decent draw for the Jets. Robert Saleh starts his head coaching career with a win.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: Vs. New England Patriots

The offseason spending spree will get a ton of headlines for New England but the Jets nearly beat the Patriots on Monday night last year. The Jets get the job done and build some excitement early.

Record: 2-0

Week 3: At Denver Broncos

Going to Denver is never easy and a young Jets team that is off to a fast start gets caught off-guard with increased expectations. The Broncos dominate this one.

Record: 2-1

Week 4: Vs. Tennessee Titans

The Titans' offensive firepower has diminished significantly and their shaky defense should keep this close. Ryan Tannehill makes just enough plays to help Tennessee escape New York with a win.

Record: 2-2

Week 5: At Atlanta Falcons in London

Having this game in London is a break for the Jets, who don't have to try defending Atlanta's skill-position talent on a fast track at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Jets score a big win to hit the bye with a winning record.

Record: 3-2

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: At New England Patriots

The Jets haven't won a regular-season game in New England since 2008. Bill Belichick won't get swept by the Jets this year.

Record: 3-3

Week 8: Vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are certainly better than they have been the past two years so this game will be close. Home-field advantage tips this one to the Jets.

Record: 4-3

Week 9: At Indianapolis Colts

The Jets' lone primetime game comes against the AFC South's best team. The Colts have their way with the Jets to score an easy win.

Record: 4-4

Week 10: Vs. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are the class of the AFC East and have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. There is a long way between them and the Jets talent-wise which shows here.

Record: 4-5

Week 11: Vs. Miami Dolphins

This contest is a good measuring stick for the Jets since the Dolphins are a more immediate obstacle towards eventual contention. Zach Wilson has a good game as the Jets pick up their second divisional win of the year.

Record: 5-5

Week 12: At Houston Texans

The Texans might be one of the worst teams in football this season, especially if Deshaun Watson isn't around. Watson can carry the Texans in this game but we're projecting he isn't here, meaning the Jets find a way to get a good road win.

Record: 6-5

Week 13: Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The only team in the NFL that the Jets have never beaten is Philadelphia. A weaker Eagles team should still find a way to top the Jets and extend that streak.

Record: 6-6

Week 14: Vs. New Orleans Saints

The location benefits the Jets here as they likely lose this game if it's played in the Superdome. A cold-weather atmosphere helps the Jets slow down the Saints and score a nice win.

Record: 7-6

Week 15: At Miami Dolphins

This game will be exciting for the Jets as they have legitimate playoff aspirations with a 7-6 record. Those dreams get crushed as Miami pulls off a huge win to send the Jets back to .500.

Record: 7-7

Week 16: Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The day after Christmas will see the Jets face off with Trevor Lawrence for the first time. The cold weather at MetLife Stadium sees the Jets keep their playoff hopes alive.

Record: 8-7

Week 17: Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It would be typical Jets luck to have Tom Brady crush their dreams one more time. The Buccaneers are the best team that the Jets will face this season and blow them out.

Record: 8-8

Week 18: At Buffalo Bills

This game all comes down to whether or not Buffalo has something to play for. We're betting there is something on the line for the Bills, who win here to end the Jets' season just shy of the playoffs.

Record: 8-9