Giants 21-15 Browns (September 22, 2024) Game Recap

CLEVELAND – There's one play that works better than any other for the New York Giants: throwing the ball anywhere near Malik Nabers.

The rookie wide receiver caught two touchdown passes from Daniel Jones, made a sensational grab over a defender on the sideline and even threw off a would-be interception as New York held off the Cleveland Browns for their first win, 21-15, on Sunday .

Jones and Nabers scored twice in the first half as the Giants (1-2) built a 21-7 lead before hanging on for life.

“I have a lot of confidence in him going forward and getting the ball,” said Jones, who completed 24 of 34 passes for 236 yards as New York staved off a loss at Washington that sparked a week of criticism of coach Brian Daboll.

It wasn't easy.

Despite the loss of three offensive players due to injury Deshaun Watson rallied the Browns (1-2) and Cleveland had three chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter. But the Giants recovered a fumble and stopped the Browns twice on downs.

One of the Giants' only bright spots through two games, the first-round pick shined again with eight catches for 78 yards, including an incredible grab into the corner of the end zone for his first touchdown.

At 21 years, 56 days old, he also became the youngest wide receiver in NFL history to have two TD receptions.

Nabers said Jones gave him specific instructions on the plays in which he was targeted.

“He said, 'You or no one,'” Nabers said.

Late in the first half, Nabers grabbed the ball from Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. for a 28-yard reception.

“A damn good catch,” said Daboll. “When you have a guy like that, the match doesn’t really matter. Throw him the ball and trust him to get it.”

A few plays later, Nabers scored on a 3-yard pass from Jones with his leaping, spinning grab in the back of the end zone.

Nabers smiled when asked if he knew he had everything under control.

“I saw where it was going and I was like, eh,” Nabers said.

While those catches were notable, Daboll said Nabers' biggest play was blocking an ill-advised pass from Jones that Cleveland nearly intercepted deep in Giants territory.

“That he has the awareness to put the ball down tells me more about Malik than some other things,” Daboll said. “Everyone can see the touchdowns, but his unselfish and smart play was great.”

The Giants' defense did its job, sacking Watson eight times as the Browns had their second poor home performance in three weeks – and some serious injuries were piling up.

Cleveland's starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and right guard Wyatt Teller (knee) were injured, as was backup tackle James Hudson III. That forced coach Kevin Stefanski to change his line in front of Watson, who went 21 of 37 for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Even more concerning is that All-Pro defensive lineman Myles Garrett may have suffered more serious foot injuries from playing. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, and a serious injury to Garrett could alter Cleveland's season.

“There’s a lot going on,” Garrett said when asked about his feet. “It's part of the game. I won't make excuses. You can’t win this game with excuses.”

Aside from the fumble on the opening kickoff, the Giants dominated the first half.

Jones was nearly perfect, completing 17 of 19 passes – 12 in a row.

The New York defense kept the pressure on Watson, sacking him four times, with Brian Burns picking off Cleveland's QB to set up Jones' second TD strike to Nabers with 11 seconds left in the half to give the Giants a 21-7 lead bring to.

Injuries

Giants: CB Dru Phillips (calf) was lost in the first half and CB Adoree' Jackson (calf) was injured in the third quarter. … ILB Michah McFadden (back) exited early in the fourth. … WR Darius Slayton (thumb) also was injured in the second half.

Browns: Stefanski said all three linemen are undergoing imaging tests. … Cooper made slow progress on Cleveland's second-to-last play, but said he was fine.

Next

Giants: Host Dallas on Thursday night.

Browns: At Las Vegas on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL