The Browns lost their second game of the season Sunday, falling 21-15 to the Giants at Huntington Bank Field.
After an explosive start to the game, with Cleveland recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff and QB Deshaun Watson finding WR Amari Cooper for a touchdown on the following play, the Browns struggled against the Giants in all three phases.
At halftime, Cleveland only had 41 net yards to the Giants' 218. QB Daniel Jones and WR Malik Nabers combined for two touchdowns in the first half as the Giants possessed the ball for over two-thirds of the first two quarters.
Cleveland's struggles on offense continued in the second half. Watson was sacked a total of eight times, holding an 89.5 passer rating. The Browns punted on three of their first four drives of the second half, with their only non-punt resulting in a missed field goal from K Dustin Hopkins.
The offense turned things around to start the fourth quarter, with Cooper once again finding the end zone.
After a missed field goal from the Giants, the Browns took over at their 38-yard line with 3 minutes remaining and a chance to take the lead. Watson and Cooper failed to connect on a deep ball on third down, and the offense was stopped on fourth down.
Check out photos of the Browns against the New York Giants in Week 3
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34)during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) ,Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54), and Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9), Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54), and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) and Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Gary Brightwell (35) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Key moments
The Browns had yet to record a turnover in the season's first two games. That changed on the very first play of the game after CB Tony Brown II knocked the ball out of RB Eric Gray's hands on the ensuing kickoff and S Grant Delpit dove on the loose ball.
The offense took no time before finding the end zone, with Watson and Cooper connecting for their first touchdown of the season on a 24-yard pass to the end zone.
On the Giants' second possession of the game, it looked like S Ronnie Hickman had secured the defense's first interception of the season after picking off QB Daniel Jones. However, a roughing the passer penalty called against CB Greg Newsome II negated the turnover.
After the penalty, Jones completed six of seven passes, including a 23-yarder to Singletary, who was tackled at the Cleveland 4-yard line. Two plays later, Singletary found the end zone to tie up the game.
The Giants took the lead before the second half after Jones led a long touchdown drive that chewed nearly 7 minutes off the clock. WR Malik Nabers made an impressive catch over CB Martin Emerson Jr. for a 28-yard gain and, a few plays later, leapt in the air for a three-yard touchdown.
On the following drive, OLB Brian Burns hit the ball out of Watson's hand while he dropped back to throw, and the Giants took over at the Cleveland 30-yard line. Nabers caught his second touchdown pass of the day as the Giants took a two-touchdown lead into the second half.
Hickman appeared to provide a change in momentum in the third quarter when he jumped on a loose ball for a fumble recovery, but the offense struggled to capitalize. Hopkins missed a 53-yard field goal and the Browns were unable to take advantage of their first defensive turnover of the season.
The offense caught fire in the start of the fourth quarter after big runs from RB Jerome Ford and Watson set up a 6-yard touchdown pass to Cooper. WR Jerry Jeudy caught a pass from Watson for a successful two-point conversion.
After the Browns failed to convert on fourth down, Singletary sealed the game with a 43-yard run, sliding just short of the end zone.
Players of the game
Amari Cooper – Cooper caught his first and second touchdowns of the season, coming up clutch for the Browns as the offense struggled to move the ball at times. The Browns receiver finished with seven receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Tony Brown II – After being called up from the practice squad, Brown made an instant impact on special teams with his forced fumble that sparked the Browns' first touchdown of the game. Fields finished with two tackles.
What this means
The Browns fall to 1-2 on the season and have lost both games at home. Their lone win of the season came last week on the road against the Jaguars.
What's next?
The Browns will start a three-game road trip next Sunday when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders at 4:25 p.m. They will return to Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 20, when they will play the Bengals in their first divisional matchup of the season.
