New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns Preview
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, OH
When: Monday, August 21, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+1.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (-1.5); total: 39.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
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Betting on the New York Giants (+105)
The Giants began their preseason on an ugly note. The 20-12 score do not indicate much, but aside from two “gimme” interceptions, the Week 1 loss Pittsburgh Steelers was pretty much courtesy of disappointing, uninspired play on both ends.
Eli Manning’s three backups – Geno Smith, Josh Johnson, and Davis Webb – shared the quarterbacking duties, and appeared to be overwhelmed by the defense. And because it got coupled with poor protection from the offensive line (allowed nine QB hits and seven sacks), the offense, as a whole, became a mess. The QBs combined to go 23-for-42 for 169 yards on the day, with Smith also throwing a pick.
No Giant had more than three catches, and their largest gain through the air was 21 yards. The same goes on the backfield, with leading rusher, Orleans Darkwa, only recording 18 yards.
The guys on defense got the bug as well. With minimal pressure applied by the rushers (four QB hits and three sacks), their crew gave up 4.6 yards per carry (124 in total) and 12.4 yards per reception, and allowed the Pittsburgh’s passers to go 22-for-28.
Betting on the Cleveland Browns (-125)
Week 1 of the preseason was very encouraging for the Browns and its fans. Hue Jackson and his men were confident, aggressive, and had a certain drive, and it led to a come-from-behind, 20-14 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Yes. I hear you. it’s just the preseason. But this is the Browns – they always need all the positive boost they can get.
Much of that boost was generated by rookie QB, Deshone Kizer, who connected on 11 of his 18 throws for 184 yards and one go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. He also displayed how much of a slinger he can be, as he averaged 16.7 yards per completion.
The Browns seem intent on distributing the ball well. They threw the ball 41 times, and despite the constant substitutions, nine different players were targeted three or more times. With the Giants’ second team fresh off that shaky performance, we should see Cleveland remain eager in attacking through the air.
Over on defense, expect defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to keep calling blitzes, especially since it got them a game-clinching strip sack this past week. Williams’s aggressive play-calling on D resulted in seven hits and five sacks to the opposing QB.
Writer’s Prediction
The Browns (-1.5) win again, 23-20.
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