Curtain drops on Saquon Barkley show and he doesn't disappoint https://t.co/Dz8nCWbp2P @art_stapleton pic.twitter.com/H5cRxB6n9q
— NorthJersey.com (@northjersey) August 10, 2018
Saquon Barkley got things off to a roaring start for the New York Giants, but Baker Mayfield stole the show as the Browns rolled to a 10-point win.
The top two draft picks from spring’s draft took the spotlight on a hot summer night at MetLife Stadium.
Second overall pick Saquon Barkley earned 43 yards on the ground, but top name Baker Mayfield threw for 212, and the latter’s Cleveland Browns took a 20-10 decision from the New York Giants in each team’s preseason opener.
Barkley got things off to a roaring start for the Giants (0-1), bringing his new worshippers to their feet on the first play from scrimmage, breaking loose for a 39-yard run that immediately put the Giants in Cleveland territory.
Welcome to the NFL @saquon! First game, first play!!! #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/OpukgNsiJX
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 9, 2018
New York would conclude the drive with a successful 42-yard field goal by Aldrick Rosas.
The Giants top premiere unit held the Browns to a punt on their first drive, but newly acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor teamed up with Cedar Grove, NJ native and tight end David Njoku for a 36-yard score that gave Cleveland the lead for good.
.@TyrodTaylor + @David_Njoku80 for the perfect @Browns TD! ?#CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/66j9eRZQN3
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2018
Starting the game for the Browns (1-0), Taylor went 5-for-5 for 99 yards in two drives. Giants starter Eli Manning likewise played two drives, going 4-for-7 for 26 yards. Manning was also sacked one time, with ex-Eagle Mychal Kendricks being the recipient.
Mychal Kendricks with the SACK.#CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/gelujfhdIm
— CS Nation (@_CSNation_) August 9, 2018
Mayfield’s first drive ended in a punt, but he later went on to engineer a 14-play, 72-yard drive that ended with another Njoku score, this one from 10 yards out. The drive also two first down gained via Mayfield runs, one of which came on fourth down.
Baker Mayfield throws a touchdown to David Njoku, 2nd for Njoku in this game, the first one came from Tyrod.https://t.co/PhJRVPu98F
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 10, 2018
Cleveland went up 13-3, but the Giants stifled a two-point conversion attempt.
Davis Webb earned the most throws for the Giants, but struggled in extended action, completing 9 of 22 passes for 70 yards. The Giants’ lone touchdown of the game was set up by a Browns turnover, as Kerry Wynn forced a fumble on a C.J. Board punt return that was recovered by Zak DeOssie. Set up at the Browns 15-yard line, the Giants embarked on a three-play drive that concluded with a five-yard run by Jalen Simmons.
WATCH: Jalen Simmons runs it in and the #NYGiants cut the lead to 3! #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/u6HACJ529e
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 10, 2018
Cleveland capped the scoring late in the game on Mayfield’s 54-yard pass to Antonio Callaway, his final throw of the evening.
Baker Mayfield.
Antonio Callaway.TOUCHDOWN, @BROWNS. #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/YqC2lvlZiX
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2018
Mayfield was sacked once on the evening, as Robert Thomas broke through and literally toss him down in the late stages of the first half.
Robert Thomas just threw Baker ?pic.twitter.com/k7GWRYCSSN
— LeadingNFL (@LeadingNFL) August 10, 2018
The Giants will hit the road for their second preseason contest, taking on the Detroit Lions on August 17 (7:00 p.m. ET, WNBC).
