The Cleveland Browns are hoping to string together two straight preseason wins when they face the visiting New York Giants in a Week 2 exhibition matchup. Read on for our preview of Sunday’s upcoming clash, and find out who we think will win.
See where the Giants and Browns rank in our latest NFL power rankings
Giants vs Browns: What you need to know
- The Browns host the Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, August 22nd at 1:00 pm ET on NFL Network, WNBC, and News 5.
- Sportsnaut says the Cleveland Browns will beat the New York Giants, 23-13.
- Odds: The Browns are favorites by 5.5 points and the over/under is 35.5 points.
Greg Newsome II vs Greedy Williams
Due to the truncated preseason schedule from four games to three this year, it’s unclear exactly how teams will approach playing time. Usually, the exhibition finale is rife with third- and fourth-string players fighting for roster spots.
Presuming that’s the case, Week 2 is likely to be Browns fans’ most extensive look at the battle for the No. 2 cornerback job opposite Denzel Ward. Rookie first-round pick Greg Newsome II is pushing Greedy Williams for it, and how each man plays Sunday could determine who starts the regular-season opener.
- Newsome a Nuisance: At Northwestern, Newsome shined in the Wildcats’ elite defense, and gave up just 12 receptions on 34 targets for 93 yards and a 31.7 passer rating in 2020, per Pro Football Focus.
- Greedy Grinding: A freakish nerve injury to his shoulder cost Williams all of last season. He seems to be back in form at training camp following an extensive rehab, but Newsome may ultimately be too good to keep off the field.
Advantage: Greg Newsome II
Joe Judge vs Kevin Stefanski
Other than a wave of injuries at the safety positions — none of which are thought to be too serious — Kevin Stefanski has had a smooth second training camp with the Browns. Despite winning Coach of the Year last season, Cleveland’s even-keeled leader seems like the steady, stable presence the Browns lacked for so many years before him.
Meanwhile, Joe Judge is busy frequently cursing at his players, forcing them to run laps, and appears intent on being the best version of Bill Belichick he knows how to be. There’s a fair amount of talent on New York’s roster, and relations are OK for now, but will players continue to buy in to Judge’s relentless, no-nonsense antics?
- Day of Judgement: It’s not like Judge’s seat is super-hot just yet. The Giants did rally to a 6-10 record following a 0-5 start this past season. However, it’ll be telling how well New York is prepared for this road trip against a foe with a deep stable of capable players.
- Supreme Leader Stefanski: The Browns coach is definitely on the quieter side, is player-friendly by all accounts, and happens to be an exceptional play-caller for the team’s offense. With a longtime student of his system in quarterback Case Keenum expected to see significant action, Cleveland’s O should be humming right along.
Advantage: Cleveland Browns
Giants offensive line vs Browns defensive front
Even if Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney don’t see many or any snaps for Cleveland, we saw in Week 1 of the preseason that the Browns have depth up front they’ve lacked in years prior.
The Jacksonville Jaguars deployed their starting offensive line for a while, and even their solid interior blockers had difficulty handling Cleveland’s big men in the trenches.
As for the G-Men, their o-line ranked 31st last year by Pro Football Focus’ grades. They need to show better form if returning tailback Saquon Barkley is meant to have any running lanes, and if Daniel Jones is meant to have any chance at being a franchise quarterback.
- Thomas Trending Up: Andrew Thomas was the fourth pick in the 2020 draft, but was awful as a rookie in surrendering 10 sacks. It was just the preseason, but against the New York Jets in Week 1, Thomas didn’t give up any pressures on 11 pass-blocking snaps.
- Browns’ Beef: Unclear who’ll get into Cleveland’s d-line rotation on Sunday. Expect to see Ohio State product Tommy Togiai called on, though, along with second-year player Jordan Elliott, who’s hoping to be a quicker interior rusher after shedding significant weight before his sophomore training camp.
Advantage: Cleveland Browns
The bottom line: After holding out Jones from the preseason opener, it stands to reason the Giants QB might get some live reps. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t stop the deeper, better Browns from getting this “W” for the Dawg Pound.
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