EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — The new-and-improved Browns made their preseason debut and it didn't disappoint.
Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry connected on the team's first offensive play from scrimmage as the budding quarterback-wide receiver duo shined in a 20-10 win over Giants Thursday night.
Taylor lobbed a 32-yard pass to Landry down the opposing sideline in a play that set the tone for an offense that stands to be much improved this fall.
"They came out with some fire," head coach Hue Jackson said during a halftime broadcast.
Indeed, Taylor — who made his first start with the team following three seasons in Buffalo — was lights out, completing 5-of-5 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. The veteran signal caller paced the Browns early before being pulled from action.
Likewise, Landry -- a three-time Pro Bowler spent the past four years with the Miami Dolphins -- finished with two catches for 36 yards in limited playing time.
Tight end David Njoku caught two touchdowns in what was a promising display from the second-year player and former first-round pick.
The Cleveland Browns play the New York Giants in Week 1 of the 2018 preseason.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) rushes New York Giants' Eli Manning (10) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes past Cleveland Browns' Larry Ogunjobi (65) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass over New York Giants' Landon Collins (21) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
TE David Njoku (middle) celebrates a touchdown with WR Rashard Higgins (left).
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks (54) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gestures to teammates during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
QB Baker Mayfield runs the ball.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a pass for a touchdown as New York Giants' Chris Lewis-Harris (39) and Leonard Johnson (29) defend during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Cleveland Browns' Rashard Higgins (81) is tackled by New York Giants' Darian Thompson (27) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive back Darian Thompson (27) and Alec Ogletree (52) chase Cleveland Browns' David Njoku (85) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive back Darian Thompson (27) chases Cleveland Browns' David Njoku (85) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Njoku scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates a touchdown catch with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) as Austin Corbett (63) joins them during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns linebacker James Burgess (52) tackles New York Giants' Jalen Simmons (34) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs after making a catch during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass to Antonio Callaway (11) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) rushes past New York Giants' Mark Herzlich (44) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with Antonio Callaway (11) after they connected for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs away from New York Giants' Orion Stewart (45) and Tae Davis (58) for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
On the game's opening drive, Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley broke off a 39-yard run before Cleveland's defense settled down and forced a field goal. Barkley, the second-overall pick, finished with 43 yards on five carries.
The Browns (1-0) responded with 13 unanswered points, a run that overlapped with rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield's NFL debut.
Mayfield, the first-overall pick in the draft this spring, finished 11-of-20 for 212 yards and touchdowns, including a long touchdown strike to rookie receiver Antonio Callaway in the fourth quarter. He finished with three catches for 83 yards.
Following what's been a strong training camp thus far, third-year receiver Rashard Higgins hauled in four passes for 66 yards on five targets.
Despite what's expected to be a promising ground game on paper, Cleveland finished with 53 yards on 30 carries between Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson and rookie Nick Chubb.
Taylor and Landry are the faces of an influx of talent this offseason following the franchise's first winless season. Cleveland acquired the pair and safety Damarious Randall in a series of high-profile trades among other notable acquisitions. Later in the spring, the Browns drafted Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward first and fourth overall, respectively.
Against that backdrop, hope abounds Cleveland will make a 1-31 mark over the past two seasons feel like a distant memory sooner than later.
The Browns host the Bills next Friday.
