The Giants hope history repeats itself when it comes to their franchise getting ignored by Monday Night Football.

Although they play in a major TV market, for the second straight season the Giants will not appear on Monday night after compiling records of 4-12 and 6-10 the past two years. The last time the Giants went back-to-back seasons without a Monday night appearance was 1996-97. They won the NFC East title in 1997.

The Giants open the season on Sept. 11 with a home game against the Cardinals. They will play two prime-time games, the first a Sunday-night meeting with the Chargers in San Diego in what will be Eli Manning’s first game against the team he refused to play for after getting drafted by the Chargers a year ago. The Giants close their season with a New Year’s Eve night game against the Raiders in Oakland, the last of four West Coast trips sprinkled throughout their schedule. The Giants play seven games against 2004 playoff teams:

DATE (DAY) OPPONENT TIME, TV

Sept. 11 (Sun.) ARIZONA 4:15 p.m., Ch. 5

Kurt Warner takes aim at the Giants.

Sept. 18 (Sun.) at New Orleans 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Last time Giants were there, Joe Horn dialed up a 45-7 Saints rout.

Sept. 25 (Sun.) at San Diego 8:30 p.m., ESPN

You can already hear Chargers fans booing Eli Manning.

Oct. 2 (Sun.) ST. LOUIS 1 p.m., Ch. 5

This is the sixth time the teams will face each other in the last seven seasons.

Oct. 9 Bye

Oct. 16 (Sun.) at Dallas 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Giants get first look at Drew Bledsoe in a Cowboys uniform.

Oct. 23 (Sun.) DENVER 4:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Let’s all cheer the return of Ron Dayne.

Oct. 30 (Sun.) WASHINGTON 1 p.m., Ch. 5

First time new Giants MLB Antonio Pierce gets to face his former mates.

Nov. 6 (Sun.) at San Francisco 4:05 p.m., Ch. 5

New Niners head coach Mike Nolan was once Giants defensive coordinator.

Nov. 13 (Sun.) MINNESOTA 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Doubtful Mike Tice will try to scalp these tickets.

Nov. 20 (Sun.) PHILADELPHIA 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Birds have won four straight vs. the Giants.

Nov. 27 (Sun.) at Seattle 4:15 p.m., Ch. 5

Giants are 2-2 in Seattle; this will be their first game at Qwest Field.

Dec. 4 (Sun.) DALLAS 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Parcells hates losing back in his New Jersey home but he did in last year’s finale.

Dec. 11 (Sun.) at Philadelphia 4:05 p.m., Ch. 5

Fans at The Linc have already started drinking for this one.

Dec. 17 (Sat.) KANSAS CITY 5 p.m., Ch. 2

Giants are 5-0 against the Chiefs at Giants Stadium.

Dec. 24 (Sat.) at Washington 1 p.m., Ch. 5

Christmas Eve matinee at FedEx Field.

Dec 31 (Sat.) at Oakland 8 p.m., ESPN

You think Kerry Collins would like to knock his former club out of playoff contention?

All times Eastern. Home games in CAPS