On the defensive side of the ball, safety Xavier McKinney was the only Giants player starting on defense that will likely see significant playing time this season.
The Browns opened the scoring when, on fourth-and-7 at the Giants’ seven-yard line, Case Keenum completed a seven-yard touchdown to KhaDarel Hodge to take a 7-0 lead at 7:23 in the first quarter to complete a 10 play, 81-yard scoring drive.
The Giants responded with a strong scoring drive of their own as a 24-yard pass from Mike Glennon to Rysen John set New York up on the Cleveland 38-yard line.
New York responded at 7:15 in the fourth quarter as Lewerke completed an eight-yard pass to David Sills in the corner of the end zone to complete an 8-play, 72-yard scoring drive.
With less than 2:30 left in the game, Lewerke led the Giants down the field on a drive that included a 29-yard pass to Rysen John to convert third-and-19 and a seven-yard pass to Gary Brightwell on fourth-and-six.