The New York Giants secured their first win of the season with a gritty 21-15 road victory against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. After starting the season with back-to-back losses, the Giants relied on a balanced offensive attack, stifling defense, and timely plays to overcome a tough Browns team. The win brings the Giants to 1-2, with a chance to reach .500 with a victory at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
Strong Start but Early Setback
The game started disastrously for New York, as Eric Gray fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a Cleveland touchdown just 11 seconds in. Amari Cooper hauled in a 24-yard pass from Deshaun Watson on the Browns’ first play, marking the earliest touchdown allowed by the Giants since the 1970 merger. Despite the quick setback, Giants head coach Brian Daboll—emotional due to the anniversary of his grandmother’s death—rallied his team. Daboll’s message of resilience, a recurring theme since the offseason, helped the Giants recover and stay focused. “We talk about resilience, and the commitment to one another,” Daboll said. “We stuck to the plan and showed a lot of heart.”
Daniel Jones’ Steady Hand
Quarterback Daniel Jones, under scrutiny after the Giants’ winless start, delivered one of his cleanest games yet. Jones completed 24-of-34 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, posting a passer rating of 109.4—his highest since January 2023. Jones helped orchestrate a 93-yard drive, the Giants’ longest since December 2022, that culminated in a touchdown, putting the Giants ahead 14-7. He attributed the team’s success to mixing up plays and keeping Cleveland’s aggressive defense off-balance. “We had to keep them on their heels,” Jones explained. “Mixing in different personnel, moving the pocket, and using quick passes helped.”
Malik Nabers Continues to Shine
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has quickly emerged as a key player for the Giants. Nabers recorded eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the youngest wide receiver in NFL history with two touchdown catches in a game. With 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns through his first three games, Nabers tied Anquan Boldin for the second-most receptions by a player in their first three career games. His awareness on the field was highlighted by a key play where he smartly knocked down a potentially dangerous tipped ball. “That was huge,” Daboll said, pointing out that Nabers’ football IQ complements his natural athletic ability.
Offense Mixes It Up
The Giants’ offense was effective in the first half, racing to a 21-7 lead—their highest first-half point total since the 2023 season finale. The balanced attack featured rookie Nabers, tight end Wan’Dale Robinson (seven catches for 61 yards), and running back Devin Singletary, who rushed for a game-high 65 yards. Singletary capped off the Giants’ first touchdown drive with a one-yard plunge. Late in the game, he made a heads-up play by going down at the one-yard line to let the Giants run out the clock.
However, the offense stalled in the second half, unable to put up any more points. “We just couldn’t find that rhythm,” Jones admitted. “It comes down to execution, and we didn’t get it done.”
Defense Steps Up Big
While the offense slowed in the second half, the defense took control, limiting the Browns to just 217 total yards—the fewest allowed by the Giants since October 2021. The defense’s dominance was highlighted by a relentless pass rush, sacking Deshaun Watson eight times. Dexter Lawrence led the way with two sacks, while eight other Giants contributed at least half a sack. This marked the first time since 1982 that a team had nine different players record at least half a sack in a game.
The Browns’ 69 rushing yards were their second-lowest total under Daboll, and Cleveland managed just 16 first downs—further evidence of the Giants’ defensive prowess. Brian Burns, acquired in the offseason, recorded his first sack as a Giant and forced a fumble, while rookie Elijah Chatman recovered a fumble and became the first rookie Giants defensive lineman to record both a sack and fumble recovery in the same game since 2022.
Special Teams and Injuries
Kicker Greg Joseph made all three extra points in his Giants debut but missed a potential game-sealing 48-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned two punts for 19 yards in his second game as a Giant.
The Giants also dealt with injuries during the game. Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson suffered calf injuries, forcing significant shuffling in the secondary. Isaiah Simmons and Art Green, who made his NFL debut, filled in admirably. Additionally, wide receiver Darius Slayton (thumb) and linebacker Micah McFadden (back) left the game but were able to return.
Looking Forward
This victory gives the Giants much-needed momentum as they prepare for a quick turnaround to face division rival Dallas. The team will look to clean up its second-half offensive execution while continuing to rely on its defense, which showed it can step up in critical moments. With young stars like Malik Nabers emerging, the Giants may just be starting to scratch the surface of their potential.
For now, they’ll savor the win while staying focused on keeping the momentum going into Thursday night.
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