The New York Giants are heading into a very important season for the franchise, as Eli Manning is one year older and more year removed from the 2012 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots and after missing the playoffs last year, the postseason is a priority for the team.

The Giants open up the preseason with a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday as the only game on the schedule and then will follow with games against the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and New England Patriots before opening on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. The team lost in the opener last season to Dallas and now gets the chance to go on the road to return the favor and the team is breaking in a number of new players in new roles, including David Wilson and Andre Brown.

Hakeem Nicks and his injuries will be the prime focus, as will Victor Cruz now that he is back after signing a deal. The team added Brandon Myers and Louis Murphy to the offense and coach Tom Coughlin expects the defense to improve after getting Justin Tuck and other back healthy. The linebackers are a concern again, but if the defensive line steps up the team will be in much better position to win.

Manning is excited about the start of the season and after drafting Justin Pugh and Ryan Nassib from Syracuse, the Giants have some hope for the future as well. The team went 9-7 last season and finished with a clobbering of the Eagles and they will try to pick up where that left off.

2013 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Week 1            Sat, Aug 10     

@

Pittsburgh

7:30 PM          

2          Sun, Aug 18    

vs

Indianapolis

7:00 PM          

3          Sat, Aug 24     

vs

New York

7:00 PM          

4          Thu, Aug 29   

@

New England

7:30 PM