The New York Giants finished the 2022 regular season with a 9-7-1 record, punching their first ticket to the playoffs since 2016. They then went on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round, picking up their first playoff victory since Super Bowl XLVI.
That remarkable turnaround was enough to win Brian Daboll the Coach of the Year Award. It was also enough to convince networks they wanted the Giants in prime time in 2023.
For their troubles, the Giants were awarded six prime-time games this season if you include a Christmas Day showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Sunday night, Big Blue kicked off that national slate with a humiliating 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Not only was it the Giants’ worst opening-week loss in franchise history, but it was the first time they had been shut out by the Cowboys since Dave Brown was still the starting quarterback. It also extended their long trend of futility under the national spotlight.
Following their most recent loss, the Giants are now 1-13 in prime-time games since late 2018 (including the playoffs). They have fared little better in games that kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET or later.
There is supposed to be a thrill and excitement on Sunday, Monday and Thursday night but for the Giants, each time kickoff rolls around there’s just a feeling of dread. And rightfully so.
The Giants are a prime-time team who aren’t at all ready for prime time, and that spans multiple front offices and multiple head coaches. It’s a dark cloud that hangs over the organization — a curse that can’t seem to be broken.
As many things change, so many stay the same. And that’s bad news for these Giants who have five more prime-time games this season — four of those coming at night.
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