New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Preview, Prediction, Picks

On Sunday, the New York Giants travel to FirstEnergy Stadium to take on the Cleveland Browns to close out the second week of the NFL preseason. The Giants hope to snag their first win after losing to the Jets 7-12, while the Browns enter this match following a high-scoring 23-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

New York Giants Betting Preview: Battling Injuries

The Giants started the 2021 NFL preseason with a loss to the Jets, and it seems like it is just going downhill from there. They are currently suffering from major injuries; running back Saquon Barkley is recovering from a torn ACL, tight end Kyle Rudolph is out with a foot injury, and wide receiver Kenny Golladay is suffering from a hamstring injury. Most recently, linebacker T.J. Brunson tore his ACL in last week’s game against the Jets, and quarterback Clayton Thorson suffered a concussion in that same game, with both players officially placed on the injured reserve list.

On a more hopeful note, quarterback Daniel Jones is most likely going to get some playing time on Sunday after remaining on the bench during their first preseason game. The Giants’ hope in Jones certainly has not waned, and Sunday’s game will give him his first chance this year to show how he has improved since finishing the 2020 season 6-10.

The Giants, to put it bluntly, did not do enough to win this game, but Giants head coach Joe Judge remains confident in his team, choosing to focus on the individual improvements and victories. This week, the Giants, led by Daniel Jones this time around, will aim to make the tweaks and adjustments they need to improve their performance from their Week 1 loss.

Cleveland Browns Betting Preview: Super Bowl Contenders?

The Cleveland Browns, a team that many people would argue has one of the most promising rosters in the NFL, performed very well in their first preseason game. Their offense, led by quarterbacks Kyle Lauletta and Case Keenum, looked very much in sync. Lauletta threw for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he completed 19 of 27 attempts; Keenum threw for 115 yards, and he completed 12 of 17 attempts. The Browns offense scored 23 points in this high-scoring first preseason game. On the other end, their defense wore down on the Jaguars’ offense, getting in three sacks and one interception, with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, had a 7 solo tackles and a sack.

The Browns did not really play any of their starters for long, but they still completely dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars with many of their starting players. Their offense was in sync, and their defense was able to make some big plays and hold the Jaguars’ offense at bay.

Giants vs. Browns Betting Odds & Lines

The Athletic has this game at the Cleveland Browns at -5.5, with the moneyline at -250 for the Browns and +200 for the Giants.

Free Betting Pick

I’m taking the Browns for this Week 2 matchup. The New York Giants have not posed a decent threat to any team in the NFL for many years, and the Cleveland Browns’ glory days are just beginning. The Browns dominated the Jaguars' starting players without any of their own starters, with both their offense and defense showing up and making big plays. Even though the Giants are playing with their starting quarterback for this game, the Browns will most likely come out on top.

Free Pick: Browns at -6