I’m hoping to see Cleveland’s first home victory of 2024, that’s why I’m watching. Cleveland hosts the N.Y. Giants at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, 1:00pm EST. The Giants lost last week to the Washington Commanders 21-18 to fall to 0-2 and the Browns beat the Jaguars 18-13 to improve to 1-1. The Browns are six-point favorites.

Browns Offense vs. Giants Defense. Cleveland’s offense improved against the Jaguars last week, at least in the first half. They scored on all three of their first half drives, a touchdown and two field goals. But in the second half, they were plagued by inconsistent play calling and execution. The offensive line should get a boost with the return of right tackle Jack Conklin. New York’s defensive line is very talented, and it all starts with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. He has the ability to take over a game, so the interior of the Browns offensive line, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic, will have to play well. The Giants pressure will come from ends Brian Burns and Kayon Thibodeaux. Cleveland will need to establish the run with RB D’Onta Foreman with their “heavy” run sets, (extra offensive linemen). Foreman only averaged 3.0 yards a carry versus Jacksonville, but he punished the Jags defensive line and kept RB Jerome Ford fresh. The Giants run defense last week against the Commanders allowed 215 yards on 35 carries for a 6.1 YPC. If the Browns can protect QB Deshaun Watson, (the Giants had five sacks last week), Cleveland should be able to take advantage of the New York secondary. Washington rookie QB Jayden Daniels was 23 of 26 for 226 yards, a QBR of 99.1 and averaged eight yards per pass. With tight end David Njoku likely missing another game, Watson needs to get number one wide receiver Amari Cooper more involved in the offense. Cleveland will need to run the ball to set up the pass, protect Watson, cut down on all the stupid penalties and have a complete game.

Browns Defense vs. Giants’ Offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones runs the Giants offense, and his number one target is rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Against Washington, Nabers was targeted on 18 of Jones’s 28 passes. Of those 18 targets, Nabers caught ten for 127 yards and a touchdown. The Cleveland defense will have to watch Nabers when he goes in motion, of his 14 routes in motion, Nabers caught six of eight targets for 115 yards. Denzel Ward or Martin Emerson will need to have man coverage. Daniel Jones has only attempted four throws of twenty plus yards and completed none. He’s been sacked 23% of the time when pressured and currently the Browns rank third in the league in sacks. When a play breaks down, he will scramble. Against Washington, he ran for 32 yards on five carries for a 6.4 average. The Giants other main weapon is running back Devin Singletary. He rushed for 95 yards on sixteen carries, one touchdown and a 5.9 average. Last week the Browns run defense allowed the Jaguars to rush for 127 yards on 21 carries, one touchdown and a 6.0 average. The Giants offense can be effective, against Washington they were three for three in the redzone and four for eight on third down. The Browns defense will need to pressure Daniel Jones, but still contain him. They might want to have a linebacker or safety devoted to following him. Cleveland’s redzone defense improved last week and will have to continue to trend upwards. The Browns defense has been close to getting turnovers, four dropped interceptions and two strip sacks so far. The potential is there this week, Jones has committed nine turnovers in the last eight games. Cleveland will need to stop the run, slow down Malik Nabers and pressure, sack and contain Daniel Jones.