Browns vs. Giants: DPD staff picks for the Week 12 matchup

The Dawg Pound Daily staff got together to share our predictions for today’s matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants.

Our staff once again lacked much confidence in the Cleveland Browns in advance of today’s matchup against the New York Giants.

Jonathan Goehring (2016 record: 7-4): Giants 34, Browns 16

A matchup involving two teams going in completely opposite directions, Sunday’s game seems like a long shot for Cleveland. The Giants have won five in a row, and it is possible that they could overlook the Browns as they seemed to overlook Chicago. But the Browns have done nothing to warrant any expectations.

Hanging in a game last week with a Pittsburgh team which was playing horribly yet still being blown out was very revealing. This matchup doesn’t seem to bode any better for the Browns, as the Giants have a lot of weapons that can harm them. If Eli Manning is pressured, these weapons will be silenced. The only problem is, the Browns do not even try to pressure the quarterback.

Offensively, the inability to run the ball will once again be too much to overcome. The Giants will get off to a big lead early, slip a little bit in the middle of the game, but the outcome will never really be in doubt.

Tom Moore (2016 record: 11-0): Giants 31, Browns 14

As the weeks roll on, the Browns face the growing reality that they may finish the season at 0-16.

That burden carries with it the reality that the opposing team each week does not want to be the one that loses to the Browns. It becomes more complicated when the Browns face a team that is playing for something more than just a desire to avoid being embarrassed.

Such is the case again this week with the New York Giants, who have won five in a row and are deep in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The Browns can’t run the ball; the Giants are among the league’s best at stopping the run; Cleveland’s defense can’t stop anyone when it matters; and with Cody Kessler hurt and Josh McCown back under center, we are just one play away from the Kevin Hogan era kicking off in Cleveland.

Roger Cohen (2016 record: 9-2): Giants 31, Browns 19

Wearing my Browns throwback gear while Thanksgiving shopping I couldn’t navigate a grocery aisle without being peppered with the same backhanded comment:

“Nice shirt…are the Browns gonna’ win a game this year?”

I answered “yeah, maybe this week”. Or maybe not.

Even if the Browns pick off Eli a time or two (can you even remember the last time the Browns created a turnover?) I fear another pitch-and-catch thru the World’s Worst Secondary and OBJ taunting the Dawg Pound.

The Browns hang around for a quarter, but a botched kick, a questionable coaching decision and a garbage time Kevin Hogan embarass-me-not score add up to 31-19 Giants.

Joel Cade (2016 record: 9-2): Giants 25, Browns 13

The Cleveland Browns host the New York Giants. In their last game before the bye, the Browns will look to earn their first victory against a team looking to earn its way into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. The Giants could be walking into a trap game. However, the Browns have had a week of questioning each other and the front office. Hue Jackson had to pull everyone together to set the ship back in the right direction.

On the field, the Browns secondary will have a tough time stopping the Giants receiving corps of Odell Beckham Jr. and friends. Eli Manning is a reliable quarterback although he can be erratic at times. The front seven will need to stop the run against less than stellar rushing attack. The air attack should be in full viewing. Can the Browns do enough to stop it?

This would be a great week for the offense to re-establish the rushing attack. The offensive line needs to mesh and play as a unit. Miracles may happen and offensive line figures itself out after being called to the carpet by Terrelle Pryor for its lackluster play. Or will it simply point fingers at the front office for letting players leave. Should be interesting to see.

Frustrations are high in Cleveland and the bye week cannot come soon enough.

Steven Kubitza (2016 record: 7-4): Giants 27, Browns 14

The march to 0-16 will continue against a New York Giants team bound for the playoffs. The Browns may be able to pull off a win in the final four games, but they are going to enter the bye week with an 0-12 record.

Josh McCown will be lucky to make it through the entire game healthy. The Giants will send pressure all day and the Browns offensive line will be unable to put up much of a defense.

RG3 may be back at quarterback in two weeks, meaning this could be the last time we see McCown start a game in Cleveland.

Matt Stevenson (2016 Record: 10-0): Giants 31, Browns 16

The Browns have obviously struggled this season and defensively have been a hot mess. Although the Giants don’t offer much of a run game, they have exploited defenses with an aerial attack. Between Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, the Giants have bombarded teams with passing touchdowns and big plays throughout the season.

Josh McCown is starting for the Browns and after an embarrassing game against the Ravens he looks to bounce back against New York. The Browns will have to look for big plays with Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor early on to get points on the board. McCown also got tight end Gary Barnidge his first touchdown of the season last week and their chemistry could prove some productivy Sunday.

Despite that, the Browns defense has given up big plays all season and the Giants should expose them several times.

Eric Szczepinski (2016 record: 6-4): Giants 34, Browns 13

The Giants high powered offense led by two-time winning Super Bowl quarterback will be too much for the Browns defense to handle. The Giants receiving corps features three versatile playmakers, Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz. All three are capable of stretching the field and making big plays among the secondary.

The Browns’ young and inexperienced secondary will have its hands full keeping track of these dangerous playmakers. The Giants experience and offensive playmaking ability is a bad matchup for the Browns struggling secondary and I expect the score to reveal that.