Cleveland Browns (1-2) – New York Giants (1-2): 15-21
The Giants won a football game, and Malik Nabers (78 yards, 2 TDs) is a superstar. In a strange game, with no rhythm in the second half, New York won a valuable victory. With a running game in decline and an inconsistent Daniel Jones (24/34, 236 yards, 2 TDs), the Giants were able to count on a decisive defense in the hot moments.
Cleveland is sinking into a crisis. Deshaun Watson (21/37, 196 yards, 2 TD) was impressive for one game, before falling back into his old ways. His stats are misleading and do not reflect his game. The offensive line and runners were terrible, and the defense was more permeable than usual.
With this victory, the Giants are back in the NFC East, while Cleveland is having a bad run in the AFC North. Given the level tonight, neither of these two teams seems ready to play in the playoffs.
The Malik Nabers Show
The start of the game looks like a dream for the Browns. On the first play, Eric Gray lets the ball slip away, and Cleveland can attack. On the first offensive play, Deshaun Watson finds Amari Cooper (86 yards, 2 TD) for the touchdown (7-0).
However, the dream turns into a nightmare. The Giants turn the game around under the leadership of the team's new offensive star, Malik Nabers. However, it is on the ground that the Giants come back into the game, through Devin Singletary (108 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble).
But it was LSU's receiver who would create the gap, with two touchdowns in the first half. Daniel Jones was well protected, and found his receiver constantly. Even on contested balls, Nabers was unplayable. After 30 minutes of play, the Giants had made a significant gap (7-21).
A very dull second act
The second half looked more like a preseason game than an NFL game. On the first eight drives, the two teams combined for 112 yards, a fumble and a missed field goal. While the Giants have no reason to blow this game away, Deshaun Watson's inability to get his team going only adds to the doubts surrounding the quarterback.
The running game is invisible on both sides, and the Browns accept defeat with a terrible lack of will. The Giants' defense must also be praised, as they have annihilated opposing offenses.
Just as the game seemed lost, Amari Cooper came out of the box to score a touchdown of hope (21-15). The Browns even had the opportunity to take the lead, but Deshaun Watson let the ball slip away for a terrible fumble.
As the Giants can no longer advance on offense, Cleveland has one more chance. But Deshaun Watson gets sacked. Luckily for Cleveland, the Giants miss the field goal. Nobody wants to win, but a team is going to lose. Cleveland finds itself on 4th down, again, and fails, again. Checkmate, and a sluggish victory for the Giants.
