Former Browns from different eras have to combine forces in important roles for the Giants in a must-win game for them. (Sporting News)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Four downs on Browns (9-4) v. New York Giants (5-8)
First down: Revenge of the scorned Browns.
This still being 2020, we probably shouldn’t be surprised at the utter preposterousness of the Browns playing the Giants in a meaningful game with Freddie Kitchens calling plays for Colt McCoy. The former Browns head coach and one-time quarterback hopeful drifted through Browns history in different eras. But on Sunday night with everybody watching on prime-time TV, Kitchens, the Giants tight ends coach-turned-emergency play-caller, and McCoy, backup to hobbled starter Daniel Jones, are cast in key roles to keep their present team’s playoff hopes alive and tighten the screws on the Browns’ playoff run. Kitchens’ opportunity to run the Giants’ offense came when coordinator Jason Garrett tested positive for Covid-19 this week. McCoy was chosen to start after Jones showed he had not fully recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries. Given their places in the history of Browns futility, fans may chuckle at the thought of Kitchens and McCoy leading an upset of the juggernaut Browns. It’s easy to forget that Kitchens had a nice run as play-caller in the final eight games of 2018 in Baker Mayfield’s rookie season. And McCoy, as Eric Mangini’s rookie starting quarterback, engineered two of the biggest upsets of the 2010 NFL season – defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Saints in New Orleans and the Tom Brady Patriots in consecutive games. Now a journeyman backup in his 11th NFL season, McCoy has one victory as a starter in the last five years. It came two weeks ago in Seattle against the heavily favored Seahawks.
Second down: The forgotten one.
Besides Kitchens and McCoy, ex-Browns who may be extra motivated to perform include safety Jabrill Peppers and right guard Kevin Zeitler. They were part of the mega-deal in 2019 that ridded the Giants of receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who had become a symbol of distraction and dysfunction infecting the conservative organization at the time. Beckham, of course, is unable to play because of ACL surgery. But the other player shipped to the Browns happens to be playing his best football since the trade. That is defensive end Olivier Vernon. Over the last six games, Vernon leads the NFL with seven sacks – one for a safety. “It is just good to see him have success. I know everything that he went through last year with the injuries, he really did not feel like himself,” said defensive coordinator Joe Woods. “As of late, he is really showing up just in terms of production, the pressure and the sacks on the quarterback. We just need him to continue to play that way.” Vernon came up big with Myles Garrett sidelined two games with Covid. Garrett admitted his recovery has been slower than expected from the coronavirus, but in their third game back together they pose a serious challenge for a Giants offensive line that allowed six sacks last week to the Cardinals.
Third down: Cornered.
Like many teams, including the Browns, the Giants invest their defensive resources mostly in the defensive line and secondary. Their best players come from those position groups and when they are missing one it is a big loss. That’s the case with cornerback James Bradberry, who is out because of a high-risk contact with someone with Covid. Bradberry has been described as the Giants’ “most irreplaceable player.” Bradberry’s loss is compounded by the loss of starting slot cornerback Darnay Holmes. The challenge facing defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is to replace two key secondary pieces and defend Mayfield, who is commanding one of the NFL’s most lethal passing attacks over the past six weeks. “Whatever coverage you call, you are pulling from weakness to play for a strength,” Graham said this week. “You’re trying to guess right as you try to defend the field.”
Fourth down: Field position tug of war.
Giants head coach Joe Judge was Bill Belichick’s special teams coach, so he knows the value of that phase of the game. The Giants’ special teams were strong most of the year, but recently have suffered breakdowns – kickoff return touchdown, fumbled punt, blocked punt-turned-safety, excessive penalties. Given his roster shortcomings, Judge tries to play conservative on offense and win games with defense and field position advantages set up by special teams. Given his team’s desperate straits in the NFC East playoff race – the Giants are one game behind Washington with three to play – it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Judge used a trick play on special teams to affect the game, if the opportunity arises. “Joe’s biggest influence, I think, on the Giants special teams has been their punt rush,” said Browns special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. “They use big guys, and they bring it. They are very aggressive. They are big and strong. We have to be stout in our protection to get the ball out of there and have a good day on punt.” By the way, Priefer believes that Browns kicker Cody Parkey recovered from two missed kicks against Baltimore by making two pressure PATs in the Browns’ frantic rally in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Browns 27, Giants 17.
My record: 7-6.