Three takeaways from the Giants’ schedule, which was released Thursday:

1. New head coach Pat Shurmur said, “I don’t see anything remarkable about the schedule, but it is very challenging.” This is true. There is nothing remarkable about the schedule. The Giants do not have back-to-back home games and only one back-to-back road swing. The bye is at midseason, where it belongs, and there is no particularly brutal stretch. It is a fair, balanced schedule.

2. For the first time since 2012, the Giants open their season at home and it is the first time since 2014 they open against someone other than the Cowboys. Does the NFL know drama, or what? Bringing old friend Tom Coughlin back with the Jaguars for the opener is a nice touch.

3. It is rare when a team gets an 11-day layoff, but that is what the Giants have in October, when they play a Thursday night game against the Eagles and do not play again until a Monday night game in Atlanta. It will be the Giants’ first visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and they will be well-rested when they get there.

Game of the year: Oct. 11 vs. Eagles. This is a Thursday night home game for the Giants, and it comes against the defending Super Bowl champions. What better way to show the home fans and the nation things are different this year? MetLife Stadium will be rocking … as long as the Giants can hang in with the heavyweight Eagles.

Hardest game: Oct. 7 at Carolina. The last time the Giants played here, in 2013, they were thrashed 38-0. This is their first time back in five years and the Panthers are never easy to beat, just as Cam Newton is rarely easy to contain. The game will hold special significance for Dave Gettleman, who spent five years as Carolina’s GM.

Easiest game: Oct. 28 vs. Redskins. Yes, the Giants have only six days to prepare for this game after a Monday night game in Atlanta, but it is a home game and it is against the Redskins, who do not strike fear in anyone. Only possible pitfall is looking past this game to the bye week that follows.

Week 1: vs. Jaguars, Sept. 9, 1 p.m.
Week 2: at Cowboys, Sept. 16, 8:20 p.m.
Week 3: at Texans, Sept. 23, 1 p.m.
Week 4: vs Saints, Sept. 30, 4:25 p.m.
Week 5: at Panthers, Oct. 7, 1 p.m.
Week 6: vs. Eagles, Oct. 11, 8:20 p.m.
Week 7: at Falcons, Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m.
Week 8: vs. Redskins, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.
Week 9: BYE Week
Week 10: at 49ers, Nov. 12, 8:15 p.m.
Week 11: vs. Buccaneers, Nov. 18, 1 p.m.
Week 12: at Eagles, Nov. 25, 1 p.m.
Week 13: vs. Bears, Dec. 2, 1 p.m.
Week 14: at Redskins, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
Week 15: vs. Titans, Dec. 16, 1 p.m.
Week 16: at Colts, Dec. 22/23, TBD
Week 17: vs. Cowboys, Dec. 30, 1 p.m.