Giants vs. Browns: What’s Wrong with Deshaun Watson & Amari Cooper?
SEPT 19 DISCONNECT? The Cleveland Browns are off to a 1-1 start, but there are some glaring issues there. One? High-priced quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Amari Cooper and their lack of hookups.
As the Giants ready for a Week 3 matchup against the Browns, the numbers - or lack thereof - jump out. Through two games, Watson has targeted Cooper 17 times, resulting in just five receptions for 27 yards.
"It's part of the game," said Watson. "We never lose faith in each other. It's a long season, and we've just got to continue to work and figure it out. When it clicks, it's going to be exciting for both of us."
The Giants would prefer the "clicks'' continue to be delayed.
SEPT 19 SACKS? The Cleveland Browns won last week at Jacksonville even as they were missing starting tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin. There was pressure put on quarterback Deshaun Watson, as the Browns allowed 18 pressures.
What does this mean for Week 3 vs. the Giants? Not enough ... as the Browns hope to have both of their standout tackles back against the Giants this week.
On Wednesday's injury report, Wills was a limited participant in practice, while Conklin practiced fully.
Watson has struggled for the 1-1 Browns; there is vulnerability there. And the 0-2 Giants, who have had similar offensive struggles to start the year, have faith in their pass-rush abilities. That may be the centerpiece issue this week to determine a winner.
SEPT 17 – CAROLINA CHAOS – The New York Giants found out their Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers would come against a lighter opponent when star defensive tackle Derrick Brown suffered a season-ending meniscus injury.
On Monday, the Panthers changed course again, this time at quarterback.
The team announced it will bench starting quarterback and 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
Given how poor Young had played – 245 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions through two games – it is likely that Dalton is an upgrade.
It isn't immediately clear whether Dalton will be the starter in two months when the Giants and Panthers play in Germany. But the way things are going, the contest could have massive implications for the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
SEPT 13 – BROWN OUT – The New York Giants had a tough week, there's no denying that.
But the Carolina Panthers might have had it worse.
After losing 47-10, the Panthers might feel worse about their quarterback and No. 1 pick Bryce Young than the Giants do about theirs.
Then on Monday, they got even worse news – defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the team's best player, will miss the rest of the season with a meniscus.
New York will play Carolina in Germany for Week 10's festivities. Without the two-way starpower Brown provides, the offense's job will be made significantly easier, although the road to the top pick in the draft may have hit a bump in the road.
SEPT 12 – FORBES (INJURY) LIST – The New York Giants are licking their wounds, hoping to get their season back on track against the Washington Commanders.
But one look at the Washington secondary might have them licking their chops instead.
The Commanders allowed 289 yards and four touchdowns through the air in Week 1 – a 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, their defensive backfield is even weaker.
Cornerback and former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his thumb, per Ian Rapoport .
This presumably takes him off the field for Sunday's Week 2 affair in Landover, although it isn't yet clear if he'll be ready to visit New York in Week 9.
SEPT 12 – ROOKIE SENSATION – New York Giants fans are still waiting for rookie receiver Malik Nabers to really make his mark – finding the end zone, a signature play, leaving a rival in the dust.
He'll get that opportunity on Sunday when the Giants visit the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders, of course, are led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. After an intriguing NFL debut, Daniels' found himself on an esteemed list: Peter Schrager's top five rookies of the week .
Daniels landed fourth on his list, behind only Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, and Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt.
After completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards (and scrambling another 16 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns), Daniels has established himself as one of the most dynamic young talents in the sport and a problem for New York on Sunday.
SEPT 11 – – Fair or not, the New York Giants have been heavily criticized for letting running back Saquon Barkley walk in free agency.
The Giants lost a star running back, the Philadelphia Eagles gained a rejuvenated weapon, and the road to the Dallas Cowboys repeating as NFC East champions that much tougher.
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons recently sounded off on the move.
"I think Saquon has a chance to be Offensive Player of the Year in this offense," he said on his podcast . "... I tweeted that the Giants should be under investigation. You know why? Because how do you let this explosive weapon go to an NFC rival? Now, I get it, you paid Daniel Jones, but this is a brand new Saquon."
Barkley rushed 24 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, adding two catches for 23 yards and a score through the air.
SEPT 9 – TONEY SIGNS – Just a day after enduring an embarrassing offensive performance, the Cleveland Browns are looking at reinforcements.
No change is imminent under center. They've locked themselves into the Deshaun Watson experience and will pay the price. Thus, addressing the receiver spot was their first priority.
According to Ian Rapoport , the Browns signed former New York Giants receiver Kadarius Toney to their practice squad.
While he isn't locked into a role on Sundays, Watson's struggles likely played a role in this decision. Toney offers big-play upside as a gadget threat, which Cleveland may be more reliant on if Watson cannot drive the ball while retaining any semblance of accuracy. He may also take on a role at special teams, finding chunk gains in the form of kick returns.
New York will visit Cleveland on Sept. 22.
This story was originally published September 19, 2024, 6:44 PM.
