GAME: Cleveland Browns at New York Giants.
WHERE: MetLife Stadium.
WHEN: Today, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS.
RECORDS: Browns (0-4); Giants (2-2).
SERIES: Browns lead, 27-20-2 (1-1 in playoffs).
BROWNS ON OFFENSE: Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden has grown more comfortable each week since a putrid performance against the Eagles in the opener. His numbers would be much better if he had more help from a receiving corps that continues to struggle catching the ball. Weeden is 90-of-167 for 997 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rookie running back Trent Richardson has been bottled up in three of the four games and has just 222 yards on 64 carries (a 3.5 average per carry). The line has struggled in paving the way for Richardson but has performed better in pass protection. Injuries are mounting at receiver. Mohamed Massaquoi and Travis Benjamin could miss the game with pulled hamstrings. Rookie Josh Gordon will need to step up and play well. Richardson has a team-high 15 receptions. Greg Little has 11 receptions to go along with four drops.
GIANTS ON OFFENSE: Eli Manning is one of the best big-game quarterbacks in the NFL. He's off to a good start, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 1,320 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Manning will be without one of his top weapons in receiver Hakeem Nicks, who's out with an injury. Victor Cruz, however, is healthy and will provide matchup problems. Cruz leads in receptions with 32 for 386 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants are second in the league in passing yards. Andre Brown and Ahmad Bradshaw share the rushing total. Brown leads with 198 yards, and Bradshaw has 133.
BROWNS ON DEFENSE: One more game without cornerback Joe Haden is about all the secondary can take. Haden has missed three games due to a suspension and will be back next week against the Bengals. Dimitri Patterson has had problems against the opposing team's number one receiver as Haden's replacement. Patterson will be glad when he slips back inside to play the slot. Safety T.J. Ward leads in tackles with 27, but he has a broken thumb. The defense is allowing 117.3 rushing yards a game and 403.3 total yards.
GIANTS ON DEFENSE: This hasn't been a typically-good season for a defense that is loaded with talent up front. The unit is ranked 22nd overall (21st against the run and 19th against the pass). Ends Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul form a formidable duo. Strong-side linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka is a threat lining up on the edge, and end Osi Umenyiora fits in well in the rotation. The Giants have eight sacks, a low number considering the talent level. Free safety Antrel Rolle leads in tackles with 22. Linebacker Michael Boley has three interceptions.
BROWNS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Phil Dawson has been incredible, as usual. He's made all of his eight field-goal attempts, including three from 50 or beyond in a loss to the Ravens last week. Punter Reggie Hodges had a better day with his hang time against the Ravens. He has a 36.6 net average. Joshua Cribbs suffered a concussion last week but should play.
GIANTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Lawrence Tynes is 11 of 12 on field-goal attempts. Punter Steve Weatherford has a 38.2 net average. Rueben Randle has a 9.7 average returning punts. Rookie David Wilson averages 30.2 yards on kick returns.
BROWNS MUST: Have enough offensive consistency to keep the potent Giants offense off the field. Defensively, Patterson will need help covering Cruz.
GIANTS MUST: Pressure Weeden and force him into mistakes. Pierre-Paul is looking for a breakout game, and he could have it against the struggling Thomas. Offensively, the Giants need to work the Manning-to-Cruz connection.
PREDICTION: Giants, 27-17.
