It’s easy to look at the Giants soft schedule and pencil in wins.

Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals, Lions, Buccaneers, Redskins and more of the worst teams in the NFL.

Except all those opponents are looking ahead to the Giants and thinking the same thing: Win!

Going from three wins in 2017 to five in 2018 was called “improvement," by general manager Dave Gettleman. Six wins or more in 2019 could be seen the same way.

Will the Giants get there? Coach Pat Shurmur says the Giants are a better team in 2019.

Here are my game-by-game picks:

WEEK 1: at Cowboys

Amari Cooper coming off injury. Ezekiel Elliott just back from a holdout. This game can’t get here fast enough for the Giants. But let’s not forget Dak Prescott and a couple of backup offensive linemen, with nothing to gain, beat the Giants in Week 17 last season. Giants-Cowboys is never meaningless to owner Jerry Jones. LOSS (0-1)

WEEK 2: vs. Bills

The Giants have been in an 0-2 hole five times in the last six years. The only time they were not, they went to the playoffs. If the Giants lose, the fan calls for Daniel Jones to take over for Eli Manning will be at screaming decibel. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was on the Giants’ radar in the 2018 NFL Draft. WIN (1-1)

WEEK 3: at Buccaneers

The last two seasons have given us Giants-Buccaneers as a wild game decided in the last minute and won by the home team. A third straight is easy to picture. Buccaneers coach and offensive guru Bruce Arians is the mentor of Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Edge to the elder. LOSS (1-2)

WEEK 4: vs. Redskins

The Giants better not start this game flat. Led by Landon Collins, the Redskins are going to be emotionally high for this game. Especially if rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins — a New Jersey native bypassed by the Giants in the draft — is starting over Shurmur’s reclamation project Case Keenum by then. WIN (2-2)

WEEK 5: vs. Vikings

Perhaps no team has caused more fits for Manning over the years than the Vikings. Manning is 2-6 with three different games of at least three interceptions, including one with five, against the Vikings. His career quarterback rating against the Vikings (56.1) — far and away his worst against any opponent. Vikings are a Super Bowl sleeper. LOSS (2-3)

WEEK 6: vs. Patriots

A Thursday night stage for possibly the final Manning-Brady matchup. Although neither quarterback seems in a rush to retirement, so maybe not. Manning’s legacy is attached to his two Super Bowl wins over the Patriots. But these Giants are a long way from as deep as those teams, especially on defense. LOSS (2-4)

WEEK 7: vs. Cardinals

Circle this date on your calendar. If the season plays out like listed above, Shurmur is going to have a difficult decision to make. Stick with Manning or use the extra days of preparation to get Jones ready to start against a soft opponent. The bet here is he goes to Jones and says “he gives us the best chance to win.” And win Jones wins his first start. WIN (3-4)

WEEK 8: at Lions

When the Giants were deciding between Shurmur and Matt Patricia as head coach candidates, Shurmur’s quarterback background was viewed as a big bonus. If he can gracefully figure out how to go from Jones to Manning, he will look brilliant. But Patricia wins the head-to-head game. His seat is hotter, anyway. LOSS (3-5)

WEEK 9: vs. Cowboys

The Cowboys have swept the season series four of the last six seasons, and Giants-killer Jason Witten unretired because he sees a chance to win a Super Bowl (and because he wasn’t a very good broadcaster). The Giants still are struggling to cover tight ends. The more things change ... LOSS (3-6)

WEEK 10: at Jets

How fun will this be if it is Sam Darnold vs. Jones? The quarterback the Giants passed on in 2018 versus the one they deemed worthy of replacing Manning? And maybe the two best running backs in the NFL in Saquon Barkley and Le’Veon Bell. Who has the better offensive line? The better defense? That’s who wins. LOSS (3-7)

WEEK 11: Bye

WEEK 12: at Bears

The hard part of the schedule is just beginning. Don’t be fooled by the head-to-head preseason result, when the Bears played no starters. Or even by last year’s matchup, when starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky did not play. He’s better than you think. And this defense is ferocious. LOSS (3-8)

WEEK 13: vs. Packers

Is this the year Aaron Rodgers finally wins his second Super Bowl? Time is running out, and he is on the hot seat after coach Mike McCarthy got fired. If the Giants go 0-4 against the NFC North Division, that will be hard to overcome. A difference-maker like Odell Beckham might help the Giants get out of this funk. LOSS (3-9)

WEEK 14: at Eagles

Just because the Giants lose six straight doesn’t mean it is Jones’ fault. The rest of the team has too many holes, especially if injuries pop up. Look at the Jets: Darnold went 4-12 in his first season starting as a starter and there is plenty of optimism that he is going to be a great quarterback. Not everyone starts like Baker Mayfield. LOSS (3-10)

WEEK 15: vs. Dolphins

The Dolphins are the team most likely to get accused of tanking this season, especially if they leave former top 10 pick quarterback Josh Rosen on the bench for too long. Most of Bill Belichick’s assistant coaches have been bad head coaches. Is Brian Flores going to buck the trend? WIN (4-10)

WEEK 16: vs. Redskins

The Giants held a 40-0 fourth-quarter lead in Washington last season. That’s almost unfathomable. If the Giants are going to avoid a third straight last-place finish in the NFC East, winning here is a must. LOSS (4-11)

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WEEK 17: vs. Eagles

If he will agree to it, Manning should start this game to say farewell. Play a series, play a half, whatever is agreed upon. Treat it like preseason. Even if Manning is not retiring and wants to play elsewhere next season, the Giants and their fans should shower him with appreciation as Jones watches. No reason to drag that decision out into March. Shurmur and Gettleman get a vote of confidence from owner John Mara and face pressure in 2019. (LOSS (4-12)

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.