Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Keys to victory against the Giants

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:02 p.m. ET

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Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass during the first quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

This week, the Cleveland Browns play their second of three consecutive home games. What must the team concentrate on if they are to come away with a win?

The past eleven weeks have been quite a struggle for the Cleveland Browns for obvious reasons. Now, with an 0-11 record and a major holiday just finished, many fans feel burnt out. To say the least, it will be difficult for most to get excited about their team’s upcoming Week 12 clash with the New York Giants.

If it is hard for the most passionate fans in football to get up for a game, it’s going to be no easier for the players themselves. They want to get into the win column more than anyone, yet often feel helpless in their pursuit to do so.

This is why the team must stay disciplined and focused this week, pinpointing critical areas especially. For the Browns to win, they are going to need to do something they haven’t done thus far: Play a full football game.

Most of all, the players and coaches must focus on these five areas of the game. If they do, the game will be competitive and Cleveland will have an opportunity to pull it off in the end. The following five keys are the team’s tools to success this week.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) stiff arms Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.The Miami Dolphins defeat the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Offensively, the Browns clearly lack an identity. Too often, they fall far behind in a game, and their game plan goes out the window. This was especially evident last week, when 80 percent of their plays were passing plays.

This week, it is beyond time to get back to the basics and establish an identity. Of course, this means running the ball with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. This may be a challenge for Cleveland’s offensive line, but there is no other way to jumpstart the offense.

Of course, part of this comes down to the defense as well. The Browns can’t be persistent in the running game if they are quickly behind by multiple scores.

In the end, the Browns will need to throw the ball. There’s nothing wrong with ending up with more passing plays than running plays, as that is the team’s strength. But early in the game, to keep the defense honest, the offensive line needs to get some push and the Browns need several positive carries from their running backs.

This isn’t really asking for much, but it will undeniably be a challenge for a Cleveland team so incompetent on the ground. Though simple, if the Browns achieve this, they will be rewarded with a huge offensive boost.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) and Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Once the Browns do begin resorting more to their passing attack, they need to remain methodical. In this game, the key will be the receivers after Terrelle Pryor. The number two, three, and four receivers are critical to the team’s success.

Corey Coleman, Andrew Hawkins, and Duke Johnson need to show up to provide some balance to the air attack. The Browns must exploit a defense which doesn’t always give their cornerbacks adequate help underneath and over the top. This is evident based on the 262.7 passing yards they surrender a game.

When it comes to the deep ball, the Browns can and should throw the ball over the top occasionally. The challenge will be the Giants’ cornerbacks, who excel in man-to-man coverage. Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Eli Apple will be a challenge to the offense, even if they don’t see Pryor as one to them.

The most effective way to beat the Giants’ defense would be to run complex routes and force miscommunication. New York has a tendency to get away from their assignments, giving the Browns a chance to lure them in to doing this. All it takes is a few big passing plays, and Cleveland will be in a much different position than the past eleven weeks.

The running game is important, but the passing game is undoubtedly the only way to get the team over the top.

Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs through the Cleveland Browns defense during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers won 24-9. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants seem to be a bit of a feast or famine offense. On one hand, this gives the Browns hope. But on the other hand, it gives fans an uneasy feeling. After all, if the Giants are going to explode against anybody, it would make sense that it would be the Browns.

With that said though, slowing down New York’s inconsistent offense is simple. It may not be an easy task, but it is a simple formula.

What the Browns need to focus on, especially in their secondary, is jamming opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage. Making contact with them within the first five yards not only isn’t a penalty, it’s also the key to success.

In space, New York’s receivers are dangerous. Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz make up the three-headed monster known as the Giants’ offense. Even with a mediocre quarterback in Eli Manning, the loaded talent at the skill positions make the passing game very dangerous.

But their biggest asset is clearly speed. In fact, they lack size. In space, they may be dangerous, but if the Browns don’t allow them to get over the middle of the field, it won’t be a problem.

Last week, the cushion given to Pittsburgh receivers by Cleveland cornerbacks resulted in some chunk plays over the middle of the field. The Browns simply can not surrender so much space again. This week, doing so may prove to be even more devastating.

Aug 12, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (90) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Joe Callahan (6) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The previous key is much easier said than done, as Cleveland cornerbacks are not very physical. In fact, the secondary in general is very unreliable, and can’t be expected to slow down Giants receivers on their own.

What the Browns can do though to try to make up for this troubling trend is send pressure to rattle Manning. Judging based on past performances, Manning will struggle when under immense pressure. This presents quite an opportunity to defensive coordinator Ray Horton and company.

The question is, will they seize the opportunity? In past weeks, they haven’t. The Browns have been too concerned with playing it safe that they have allowed quarterbacks far too much time in an intact pocket to find receivers.

This week, it is time to stop leaving the secondary out to dry. Horton should allow some of his best pass rushers a chance at rushing the passer. Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib, and Demario Davis need to be spending more time trying to get by a sub-par left side of the offensive line.

Also, since the Giants have a habit of running the ball on every first down, it wouldn’t be the worst strategy to bring more pressure. Focusing on stopping the run first would be a start for a defense which surrenders an average of 143.9 rushing yards per game, the second-most in football.

An indicator to look for is the left guard, who almost always pulls on a running play to the right side. Anticipating subtle elements of the game such as these are critical to the team’s success on defense. They need to take risks, but the risks need to be calculated. Aggressiveness is really the only way to get to a Giants offense which has propelled New York to five consecutive wins.

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) runs with the ball after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Most of all, Cleveland has got to keep their focus if they want to have any shot at victory. Even if the team does everything right to keep themselves in the game, miscues could derail their hopes. These are avoided with concentration and discipline.

Penalties are the first issue. Turnovers are another critical aspect. Little unexpected miscues that pop up in seemingly every game can never be anticipated. Not everything unfortunate that happens to the Browns makes a lot of sense.

While the team may not be able to completely prevent any sort of strange occurrence, they can minimize the chances for them by playing disciplined football. This stems from focus, which can only be achieved through a relentless concentration even when the situation doesn’t call for it.

The Browns are 0-11, and many fans have completely checked out at this point. But the players cannot, and must finish strong. One reason, of course, is that it is their job too. More importantly though, if the team wants to avoid a winless season, they have no choice but to act as if the game means something to them.

The Giants are a team the Browns can beat with the right combination of factors coming together. It won’t be easy, but nothing is. All the team can do is implement their game plan, and respect the meaning of the game.