The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants don’t share the same conference, but do have plenty of things in common.
One of those being star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has played for both teams.
He was traded to Cleveland last season in a blockbuster deal.
The 28-year-old receiver suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Odell Beckham Jr. says he suffered a torn ACL against the Bengals and is out for the season, per @JosinaAnderson pic.twitter.com/RE9q9RnkVu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 26, 2020
It was a big blow at the time, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has flourished since OBJ went down.
The duo has been unable to find much chemistry since Beckham joined the team last season.
Regardless, Mayfield still has kind words to say about Beckham despite their on-field struggles together.
Winning For Beckham On Sunday Night
This matchup is a big test for both teams who are fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Mayfield knows this is an important game for Cleveland, but winning would also mean a lot to Beckham.
“This one would mean a ton to him,” Mayfield said of Odell Beckham Jr. this week, according to ProFootballTalk. “Not necessarily in a revenge way, but whenever you play a team that you are familiar with — I had the same thing in college going back and playing Texas Tech — it means a lot to you. We are going to play for him because he is one of our guys so we need to do that.”
Baker Mayfield says the Browns hope to beat the Giants for OBJ https://t.co/qCWUGP3E8w
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 18, 2020
Sadly, Beckham won’t be on the field for this game, but at least the Browns are keeping him in their thoughts as they take the field on Sunday.
Other Interesting Connections
This Week 15 matchup was flexed by the NFL into a primetime spot, which is looking like a great decision right now.
The OBJ connection is obvious, but there are more interesting factors involved in this game.
Former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens will be calling the plays for the Giants on Sunday.
Freddie Kitchens on calling the plays for the Giants against the Browns with Jason Garrett out: "It's kind of ironic. But truly, it's just the next game."
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) December 18, 2020
Current offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will be under quarantine, so he’ll be unable to fulfill his duties.
Kitchens was fired as the Browns head coach after a nightmare year with the team last season.
Another interesting connection is that former Browns quarterback Colt McCoy might draw the start under center in this one.
McCoy was a former third round pick of the team and spent his first three years of his career in Cleveland.
Quarterback Daniel Jones status is unclear right now, so McCoy might be asked to start on Sunday.
This would be an interesting revenge chance for the veteran quarterback who would be battling his former team in a primetime spot.
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