Browns vs. Giants Preview and Predictions in NFL
NFL Previews 6th August 2018 By Charles Jay for Scores And Stats
by Charles Jay Scores & Stats on 08/06/2018
Thursday night's pre-season NFL slate brings together the teams that had the first two picks in the draft.
One of the teams, the Cleveland Browns, aren't looking for something from their top pick, the #1 overall, until some point down the road. The other team, the New York Giants, not only expect returns immediately from their rookie, they are hoping that he will be a transformative player for them.
Both franchises could use a turnaround. But the Browns are the side that went winless last season. They posted the second 0-16 ledger in league history (4-12 against the number), then went about making some adjustments to their front office, bringing in John Dorsey, who had been the general manager with the Kansas City Chiefs. They've also made several player acquisitions that have fans looking forward with genuine optimism.
The Giants made the playoffs in 2016, then saw things go all the way downhill last year, with a 3-13 record (7-9 ATS). Ben McAdoo went from an offensive guru to someone who "lost the locker room," and an injury to Odell Beckham Jr. did not help. The unthinkable even happened, as Eli Manning took a seat for one game. Nothing was managed well, and Dave Gettleman, the former GM in Carolina, has taken control, even as he is involved in a battle with cancer.
The pre-season opener for both teams takes place on Thursday night at 7 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.
TV: 7 PM ET, NFL Network. LINE: Giants -2.5. O/U: 34.5
ABOUT THE BROWNS: Hue Jackson was retained as head coach, and even though Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield was the #1 pick in the draft, he is adamant that Tyrod Taylor, acquired from Buffalo, is his quarterback of the here and now. The receiver corps may be a little thin, as Corey Coleman was traded to Buffalo, and Josh Gordon has been in Florida, receiving treatment for anxiety and substance abuse issues. The team made a bold off-season move in picking up Jarvis Landry, who was the NFL's leading pass-catcher with the Miami Dolphins last year, and they are impressed with what they've seen out of fourth-round draft pick Antonio Callaway. There has been a lingering question as to who is going to protect the quarterback's blind side, with All-Pro Joe Thomas having retired. Shon Coleman was slated for the left tackle role, but he has stumbled in camp, so Joel Bitonio has been moved outside from guard, with rookie Austin Corbett stepping into the void he left. Jackson is mourning the loss of his mother and brother, both of whom have passed away in the last two weeks.
ABOUT THE GIANTS: Saquon Barkley, the rookie running back from Penn State, has the potential to completely change the Giants' offense, because of the fact that he can line up in the backfield, split out wide, or go in the slot. As for Beckham, he appears to be healthy less than a year after breaking his ankle, but he is very interested in getting together with the team on a long-term contract. He is "optimistic" that will happen, and even though it is not inked just yet, he is still participating in training camp drills. There are a lot of eyes on Evan Engram in camp. The Giants' second-year tight end led the team with 64 catches last year, but also dropped eleven, more than anyone else at his position. New head coach Pat Shurmur is doing some shuffling around on the offensive line for the spots that have not been solidified. Nate Solder is now installed at left tackle, and rookie Will Hernandez is at one of the guard positions. But right tackle could be a mess, as Ereck Flowers is lacking, John Jerry may not fit in, and other options are shaky. Backup tackles Chad Wheeler and Nick Becton have reportedly not looked good in drills. Cornerback depth is also an area where there has been a great deal of uncertainty. There is a revolving door of guys in and out of camp, and everyone, including special teams ace Michael Thomas, seems to be battling for the free safety job.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Shurmur was the head coach of the Browns in 2011 and 2012, compiling a 9-23 record. He has brought Mike Shula, son of Hall of Famer Don Shula, aboard as the offensive coordinator.
2. The Browns, despite their 0-16 regular season record, were 4-0, both straight-up and against the spread, in the pre-season slate last year. In 2016, however, they were 0-4 SU and ATS in exhibition games.
3. For the Giants, Davis Webb is the backup QB, with heady rookie Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) also in the queue, and the team just signed Alex Tanney, who is with his eighth different team and, unlike Webb or Lauletta, has actually thrown some regular season NFL passes (14, to be exact).
PREDICTION: Browns 17, Giants 16
