Fact or Fiction: Debating Giants’ top priority on Sunday

John Schmeelk: Fact – The Browns do not want to put too much on the plate of Deshaun Watson by asking him to drop back and throw 40 or more times. Last week’s split of 29 rushes to 34 pass attempts is closer to the balanced attack they want to achieve. Watson completed 22 passes but for only 186 yards. They were focusing on a shorter, more controlled passing game to complement a run attack to stay out of third-and-long situations. If the Giants can stop the run and make this a passing game, they should have an opportunity to pressure Watson and thus create sacks and turnovers against an injured Browns offensive line.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – I think you look to the other side of the trenches. The Giants’ improved offensive line, which has played 100 percent of the snaps together through two games, will have a big test against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Andrew Thomas said the next step for the group to do it consistently. “We’re just approaching this week as another opportunity to get better, protect (quarterback) DJ (Daniel Jones), and open up run lanes,” Thomas said.

Matt Citak: Fact – The Browns enter this matchup ranking second in the league in passing attempts with 79, but make no mistake, this is a team that wants to run the football. Deshaun Watson’s pass attempts are so high due in large part to his 45 passes in their Week 1 loss, a game in which they were down big early on against the Cowboys and were forced to abandon the run in the second half. Cleveland ranked fourth in the league in rush attempts last season. They’re a team that wants to win by running the football and playing great defense, so slowing down the rushing attack, including keeping an eye on Watson running with the football, will be key for the Giants on Sunday.

John Schmeelk: Fact – You can ask me this question every week, and I am going to always say fact. Nabers is the Giants’ best offensive weapon and Brian Daboll wants the ball in his hands as much as possible. He is also the team’s best weapon against man-to-man defense, which the Browns play most often. The other side of this question is the possibility that the Browns put extra defenders on Nabers. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz comes from the Bill Belichick defensive tree, and he could decide to take Nabers out of the game by putting two or more players to his side. If he doesn’t, expect another high-volume game from the Giants rookie standout.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s get some context. Last season, only one player average more than 10 targets per game: wide receiver Keenan Allen. Also in 2023, the Browns had only five opposing players have more than 10 targets against them. Through two games this season, there have been none against the Browns.

Matt Citak: Fiction – The Browns’ defensive backfield, led by three-time Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward, is a big challenge. If Ward is healthy and plays more than the 11 snaps he did last week, then I would imagine he’d be matched up with Nabers more often than not. This could lead to Daniel Jones looking at other options in the passing game more than he did last week, which makes me think Nabers will end up with around eight or nine targets. On the other hand, following Nabers’ breakout performance last week, the genie appears to be out of the bottle now and he could be looking at 10+ targets every week. It will be interesting to see how Jim Schwartz and the Browns plan for the talented rookie receiver, as Nabers will certainly be the focus for opposing defenses moving forward.