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Cleveland Browns: After six weeks, the Giants are winning OBJ trade so far

By Justice Sunderland

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Browns and the New York Giants did not come into this season with the same expectations, especially after the Giants traded their best player. However, they have an identical 2-4 record.

When the Cleveland Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, expectations went through the roof, and for good reason. On the other hand, the team they acquired him from had basically no expectations for the 2019 season.

Not too many people thought the Browns and the New York Giants would be in the same position after six games with only two victories, but just a game out of first place in their divisions. Well, that’s where we are.

Beckham has been a disappointment for Browns fans this season. They expected to see 100-yard receiving games and wonderful highlight plays. However, his only real highlight play this season was his 88-yard touchdown versus the New York Jets.

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He has been targeted a team-high 54 times, catching 29 receptions for 436 yards and only a single touchdown so far this year. There are many reasons for his struggles, but it has not been because of lack of targets.

If you have watched the Browns at all you can see their play calling is not very good. They also don’t have another receiving option other than Beckham and Jarvis Landry. Nick Chubb is their next leading pass catcher and he is not known as a receiving back.

Cleveland’s offensive line has also been horrible in pass protection, in part because of the trade for Beckham. They traded away right guard Kevin Zeitler, their best offensive lineman, to the Giants.

Zeitler played every offensive snap for the Browns for the past three seasons. In 2018, he committed just six penalties all season long. He has played every snap for the Giants so far this season while committing just one penalty.

Odell Beckham Jr. is without a doubt a game-changer, but Cleveland could really use the production and leadership from Zeitler on their offensive line right now. Look at what it has done for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones and a Giants line that was terrible last year.

They also added Olivier Vernon from the Giants, but he has also been a huge disappointment, recording only one sack and the fewest amount of tackles among the starters on the defensive line.

Meanwhile the defensive starter they lost in the trade, Jabrill Peppers is having the best season of his career. He is second on the team in tackles with 40 and he has a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble on the season as well. Cleveland has been dealing with injuries to their secondary and they could really use a versatile player like Peppers who has not missed a game yet this season.

Next. Freddie Kitchens must lean on Jarvis Landry's leadership. dark

The Browns still expect to compete for a playoff spot this year and the Giants will likely fall off before the end of the season. But they still have the same record right now and Giants fans may have more reasons for optimism right now and that was not what people thought would when this trade was made.

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