The New York Giants haven't made the playoffs since the 2011 season, when they qualified as a wild card and advanced all the way to the Super Bowl, defeating the New England Patriots. Expect the Giants' four-year playoff drought to end. At least that’s what is being predicted in this latest 2016 game-by-game breakdown.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET

Eli Manning and the Giants against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. Just as we all expected when the schedule was released. Or not. As if this game didn’t have enough intrigue after the way the Giants inexplicably blew the opener last year in Dallas, now everyone will be tuning in to see what Prescott can do when the lights go on for real. This is a tremendous opportunity for the Giants -- against a rookie quarterback and a division rival -- to show that the $200-plus million spent on defense this season will pay immediate dividends. It will against the Cowboys and an inexperienced quarterback. Big break for the Giants. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

Here’s a safe bet. The Giants and Saints will score less than 101 points in this meeting. It won’t end 52-49 with Drew Brees tossing a record seven touchdown passes like he did last year in New Orleans. It’s hard to imagine either team being as incompetent defensively as they were last year, when the Giants and Saints were 32nd and 31st, respectively. But the Giants, with their revamped front four, have improved more than the Saints. And they’re playing at home. Record: 2-0.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET

If you can pressure Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, he’s prone to mistakes. And this Giants front four should be able to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. might be a little pumped for this game, too. A few eyes will be on Beckham vs. Josh Norman. The Giants’ star wide receiver could goes off, in a good way. Record: 3-0.

Week 4: Monday, Oct. 3 at Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Vikings are a team on the rise. The Giants saw that first-hand last year when they were embarrassed in Minneapolis without a suspended Beckham. Minnesota’s strong defense in its new stadium in a prime-time matchup is too much for the Giants to handle. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 at Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. ET

New coach Ben McAdoo returns to Green Bay to face his mentor Mike McCarthy and former pupil Aaron Rodgers. The Giants are overmatched by a playoff team in another prime-time game on Sunday night. Record: 3-2.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

This isn’t the Ravens team we’re used to seeing. Joe Flacco and Terrell Suggs are returning from injury and Baltimore doesn’t boast a scary defense anymore. In fact, its secondary struggled badly last year. This has the looks of a dominant Beckham performance. Seen that before. Record: 4-2.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 at Los Angeles Rams (in London), 9:30 a.m. ET

Teams with strong defensive fronts will -- again -- give the Giants problems. The Rams have one of the league’s best defensive lines, led by tackle Aaron Donald. He helps throw the whole Giants offense off across the pond. Record: 4-3.

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET

The Eagles have the defensive front that could give the Giants trouble. But they don’t have enough offensive weapons to pull out this win on the road. Manning and Beckham vs. Carson Wentz and Jordan Matthews at MetLife Stadium? No-brainer. Record: 5-3.

Week 10: Monday, Nov. 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 p.m. ET

The time to get the Bengals is early in the season. Not once they should get some of their key players back from injury. The Giants have made progress over the first nine weeks, but they’re not ready to handle serious contenders just yet. The Bengals and their strong defense pummel Manning and put the Giants away on Monday Night Football. Record: 5-4.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20 vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

The Bears will be better but we’re still talking about Jay Cutler here. This has the feel of a three-interception performance, with two being returned for touchdowns and a lot of dazed looks. On this afternoon, Cutler dominates Manning in the confused-faces-caught-on-camera category. Record: 6-4.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

They’re the Browns. They’re still bad. It’s what they do. Even the Giants might be able to run the ball in this one. Rookie Paul Perkins rushes for 100 yards as the Giants put themselves in great position to end their four-year playoff drought. Record: 7-4.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. ET

It’s Big Ben vs. Eli in a 2004 draft class reunion. No regrets on this one. Both franchises have done alright with their franchise quarterbacks. The Steelers do better on this afternoon with Roethlisberger and star wide receiver Antonio Brown putting on an impressive display. Giants rookie cornerback Eli Apple learns a few things trying to cover Brown in this one. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 p.m. ET

Tony Romo might actually be back for this one. The last time the Giants swept the season series with the Cowboys was 2011. Domenik Hixon was returning punts for touchdowns back then. This one goes to the Cowboys. The division is predictably tight at this point. Record: 7-6.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET

This is it. This is where the Giants’ season is on the line. At home, against the Lions, Week 15, in desperate need of a win, they get it. And maybe Detroit starting quarterback Matthew Stafford lends a helping hand. He has a tendency to do that. Record: 8-6.

Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 22 at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:25 p.m. ET

Uh-oh. A loss to the 4-10 Eagles in Week 16. This happens on the road in a short week. Panic sets in from the Giants fan base. Manning is beat up badly three days before Christmas, and commits three turnovers. He’s had these games before, but needs more than ever to bounce back. He can’t have a fifth year in a row without the playoffs on his resume. Record: 8-7.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET

Good thing the Giants play in the NFC East, where 9-7 can get you a division title and spot in the playoffs. All the Giants need to do is beat the Redskins on the road on New Year’s Day. Washington can’t run with Damon Harrison plugging the middle, Olivier Vernon sacks Cousins three times, Janoris Jenkins intercepts a pass for a touchdown, and Beckham scores three touchdowns against Norman. General manager Jerry Reese is the MVP. Happy New Year to the NFC East champion New York Giants! Record: 9-7.