The Cleveland Browns welcomed the New York Giants for joint practice sessions this week.
Practicing against another team has its merits.
Players are not as likely to hold back from embarrassing an opponent from a different locker room.
But it is the week-ending preseason game between these two teams that matters most.
We saw a few surprises and standouts when the Browns beat the Jaguars last week.
Here are 3 bold predictions for the Browns vs Giants preseason game.
1. Rashard Higgins Snags 5 Catches and Scores
Remember Rashard Higgins’ performance last week in Jacksonville?
Of course you don’t; it was a very quiet night for the popular wide receiver.
But you probably do remember how most of the other receivers did.
In fact, all but one wide receiver who played had at least as many catches as Higgins had targets.
FWIW: Donovan Peoples-Jones night ended before Rashard Higgins’. #Browns
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) August 14, 2021
Some analysts already believed Donovan Peoples-Jones moved ahead of Higgins on the depth chart.
But Saturday was enough to spark some debate on whether Higgins is still a lock to make this roster.
Watch Higgins put that talk to rest, with a little help from Case Keenum this week.
DPJ will draw the Giants best coverage back, and Higgins will take advantage with a big game.
2. Demetric Felton Breaks a Big Run
Last week, Browns fans saw much of what running back Demetric Felton can do.
He caught 4 of 6 pass targets, including a big 25-yarder from a scrambling Kyle Lauletta.
And he also pulled in a hard throw that was already past him for a first down.
Felton returned a kickoff and a punt, and got credit for a tackle on coverage teams.
#Browns Demetric Felton hasn’t worked at RB and WR in the same practice yet, but wants to do that both in practice and in a game: “I’m up for anything”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 12, 2021
About the only thing fans didn’t see the running back do against Jacksonville was run.
If practice is any indication, that will change this week.
Felton lined up in the backfield for a chunk of Tuesday’s practice.
Against an aggressive Giants defense, watch Felton cut back and make a big play on the ground Sunday.
3. 5 Different Browns Sack the Giants’ Quarterback
The entire NFL knows New York’s offensive line is their weak link.
The Giants have a starting set they have some confidence in, but their depth is abysmal.
New York will mix and match mostly inexperienced and/or ineffective linemen most of the day in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the Browns defensive line lived up to expectations so far this year.
https://twitter.com/jgroc/status/1426689647569248259
They were expected to be the most competitive position group, and they showed it Saturday.
Every edge rusher and interior lineman played well in Jacksonville.
And they will take advantage of a work in progress trying to keep them off the Giants’ quarterback.
Watch (at least) 4 defensive linemen and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah rack up sacks Sunday.
NEXT: Fight Breaks Out During Browns And Giants Practice
