5 Giants the Browns must key in on in their Week 3 matchup

The Cleveland Browns are feeling good after their tough-fought win in Jacksonville last Sunday, but the time to celebrate is over. We now look towards the team coming home to face quarterback Daniel Jones, first round wideout Malik Nabers, and the New York Giants on their quest to improve their record to 2-1 on the season.

The Giants are struggling to find their footing so far in 2024 as the offense has not reached its potential in back-to-back losses. Head coach Brian Daboll and his team have their backs against the wall with the national media and need to make a statement in Cleveland.

As we approach this Sunday, let’s take a look at which Giants players the Browns will have to focus in on as they approach this weekend’s matchup:

WR Malik Nabers

As the top pick of the Giants 2024 draft class, Nabers is seen as one of New York’s players with the brightest future. He has already been very impressive in his first two weeks of the season with 15 catches, almost 200 yards, and a touchdown. In a struggling Giants offense, he has been a bright spot for the team and its fans.

The Cleveland defense is coming off an impressive performance against Jacksonville’s wide receivers. Top wide receiver Christian Kirk had zero positive receiving yards in the contest and Trevor Lawrence did not perform his best as well. Nabers is a key offensive threat that Jim Schwartz and the Browns defense will be locked onto.

CB Dru Phillips

Rookie cornerback Dru Phillips has already emerged as a top defensive player for the Giants in his first two career games. After collecting ten tackles and a forced fumble to start the year, Kevin Stefanski and the offense will have to lock in on him and linebacker Bobby Okereke if they want to have success in the run game.

Phillips’ snap count will most likely increase this week in Cleveland, leaving him more opportunities to make plays. The Giants have shown that they are committed to their draft selections and are looking for any player who is flashing potential. We’ll see if the Browns run game can overcome a player with such high hopes.

LB Bobby Okereke

It’s hard to discuss the Giants’ top players without including standout linebacker Bobby Okereke. After a successful start to his career in Indianapolis, Okereke took his talents to New York and has not stopped improving the defense since his arrival. His impressive 2023 season seemed to be just the beginning of his great Giants career.

The veteran linebacker has already collected 11 tackles and a sack in the first two games of his 2024 season. With the Browns run game struggling to find its identity, Okereke will be looking to stop their production on the ground. Cleveland is hoping to have their starting tackles back to help the run game and limit Okereke’s production.

RB Devin Singletary

Joe Schoen has put faith in the Giants passing offense by letting star running back Saquon Barkley sign with the Eagles this previous offseason. Since his departure, Devin Singletary has replaced the Pro Bowler and has emerged as a solid back for New York. The Browns are looking to halt the production that Singletary has had so far.

The veteran running back has had an impressive start to the season, averaging five yards per carry with a touchdown. After doing a decent job of stopping Travis Etienne and the Jacksonville run game, the Browns will need to do an even better one of stopping Singletary. The Giants are sure to rely on the run game if the quarterback begins to struggle.

Daniel Jones

The Giants starting quarterback has struggled to begin the season, and the Browns defense will not be an easier challenge for him. The sixth-year quarterback has struggled to start the season and has failed to exceed two hundred passing yards in his contests. With a strong and locked-in Browns defense, he will have something to prove in Cleveland.

Daniel Jones will most likely play it safe against Cleveland to limit his interceptions after throwing two last Sunday. This means flat routes and checkdowns will be in play for the Giant’s offense as well as the run game from Devin Singletary. The fan base is trying to hold onto hope for Daniel Jones, but time is quickly running out. We’ll see if Jones can turn around the start of his season in Cleveland.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 5 Giants the Browns must key in on in their Week 3 matchup