Sunday afternoon brings a new opponent for the Browns, as they travel to New Jersey to take on the Giants.
After the tough Monday night loss, the Browns will be looking to get back on track against the G-Men.
While the Giants aren’t a powerhouse right now, they sit at 5-8 and second in the NFC East.
The Giants are going into the game shorthanded.
Star running back Saquon Barkley went down with a devastating knee injury in Week 1.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett won’t be calling plays, and former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens will be filling in.
To add another layer of difficulty, starting QB Daniel Jones will be out, replaced by former Brown Colt McCoy.
While there are quite a few storylines for this game, based on performance throughout the season, this should be a win for the Browns.
With that being said, here are two Giants players that could cause some problems for the Browns on Sunday.
1. RB Wayne Gallman
After Barkley’s injury, the Giants went with a running back by committee approach to try and replace his offensive output.
Wayne Gallman has started to pull away to lead the running back unit for the Giants.
The Clemson product, drafted in the fourth round in 2017, has seen an increased workload in the last five weeks.
He’s racked up 561 yards on the ground and 6 touchdowns, and has shown an ability to bust open big plays, with three runs of over 20 yards.
Gallman has shown he’s got the speed to get outside, as well as the strength to bust it inside.
Wayne Gallman getting shifty between the tackles 👀 @waynegallman @Giants
📺 #TBvsNYG on ESPN pic.twitter.com/THpjT1sbwv
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 3, 2020
The issues the Browns have had against the run have been covered in detail in multiple forms of sports media this season.
So needless to say, Gallman could make it a rough day for the Browns.
Or, the Browns defense could step up and play the way they did against the Titans.
I’m hoping for the latter, and not the former.
2. DE Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams was a first round pick, sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2015.
He struggled in his time with Gang Green, and they sent him to the Giants in 2019 for a 2020 third-round pick, as well as a fifth-round pick.
His play has picked up this season with the Giants.
He leads the team with 8.5 sacks, and is a big disruptor on the defensive line.
Leonard Williams called GAME. The New York Football Giants just beat the Seattle Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/ROfY0gkrmb
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) December 7, 2020
He’s also played solid against the run, coming into the game with 43 tackles, and 11.5 tackles for loss.
This is the type of production that will force Kevin Stefanski and his offensive staff to plan for, adjusting their scheme to ensure he’s accounted for when he’s on the field.
The Giants are only a game back of the Washington Football Team, so they still have a heavy incentive to come out firing on Sunday.
This could become a trap game for the Browns if they overlook the Giants on Sunday.
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