New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (12/20/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The New York Giants will host the Cleveland Browns at home for week 15 of the NFL. The Giants are coming off of a tough loss against the Arizona Cardinals that snapped their four-game win streak. The Cleveland Browns are coming off one of the most thrilling games this year that ended in a five-point loss to them against the Baltimore Ravens. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, December 20th, 2020
Time: 7:20 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
TV Coverage: NBC

Giants vs. Browns Live Stream

Where can you watch Giants vs. Browns online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Giants vs. Browns Free Online Now.

Injuries:

New York Giants: Questionable: Kaden Smith, Kevin Zeitler, Daniel Jones, Darnay Holmes, IR/COVID: James Bradberry, Devonta Freeman
Cleveland Browns: Questionable: Larry Ogunjobi, Kevin Johnson, M.J. Stewart, Jack Conklin, JC Tretter, Khadarel Hodge, Austin Hooper, Denzel Ward, OUT Wyatt Teller, Andrew Sendejo

New York Giants Analysis

The New York Giants have won their last four of five games and have improved their record to 5-8 this season. They are in second place in the NFC East behind the Washington Football team. The Giants trail by just one win and could use a win to keep them in the possible playoff picture. They will have the Cleveland Browns at home after losing last week to the Arizona Cardinals.

Daniel Jones has been dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him questionable for a few weeks now. Last week, he threw for just 127 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions. Two weeks ago, backup quarterback Colt McCoy led the team to a huge victory over the Seattle Seahawks, where he threw for 105 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Cleveland Browns have a rough secondary, as they allow 249 passing yards per game (20th) and 2.0 passing touchdowns per game (26th). Especially with the possibility of Denzel Ward not being present, their secondary may lack. But, their pass rush is phenomenal (2.6 sacks per game), led by Myles Garrett (10.5 sacks).

Last week the Giants’ run game struggled against the Arizona Cardinals. But, Wayne Gallman has still been leading this team when he can. He had a five-game streak of scoring at least one rushing touchdown per game between weeks 7-12. He is the team’s leading rusher, with 561 yards on the season. Dion Lewis scored the sole rushing touchdown for the last game against the Cardinals too. Cleveland has a very average rushing defense, allowing 114 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per attempt in the backfield. But, last game, they allowed five rushing touchdowns to the Ravens, so they are vulnerable.

The Giants’ defense has been outstanding for them and the biggest piece for them in their win streak before losing to the Cardinals last week. Over the last five games, they have forced 10 total turnovers, averaging 2 per game. They allow just 22.4 points per game (10th) and 342.9 yards per game (10th). Once they get the run game going and burn the clock, they put some real pressure on opposing offenses to compete against their top tier defense. Without James Bradberry next week, however, they will struggle in the passing game.

New York Giants Depth Chart

QB: Daniel Jones
RB1: Saquon Barkley
WR1: Sterling Shepard
WR2: Darius Slayton
WR3: Golden Tate
TE: Evan Engram

Cleveland Browns Analysis

The Cleveland Browns are 9-4 and are in second place in the AFC North behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns suffered a thrilling loss to the Baltimore Ravens last game, 47-42. They played an excellent game on offense against one of the best defenses in the league. They will try to get back on track for the playoffs next week against the Giants.

Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception last game against the Ravens defense. He also scored an additional rushing touchdown in the game too. He threw for touchdowns to Kareem Hunt and Rashard Higgins and put up a fight against the Ravens. Baker Mayfield is in the top 20 for passing yards and passing touchdowns this season and has the 12th best QB rating with a 96.6 rating. The Giants’ passing defense certainly has some holes, like allowing a completion percentage of over 67% to opponents. But, they have stepped up in recent games, like holding Russell Wilson to a 263-1-1 stat line and sacking him 5 times.

The Browns run game might be the best way to go for them in each game, which is something Kevin Stefanski already knows. Against one of the better defenses last week, the Browns ran the ball 28 times, and it paid off. Nick Chubb ran the ball 17 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Kareem Hunt ran the ball 6 times for 33 yards and one touchdown while also adding 77 yards through the air and an extra receiving touchdown. The New York Giants have one of the better rushing defenses in the league. They allow just over 100 yards per game on the ground and 3.9 yards per attempt to opponents. They may struggle to put up numbers that Hunt and Chubb put up last week, but they should establish the game there.

The Browns’ defense could use some work to make sure they can win this one. It is certainly a plus that they will be going up against the team that has allowed the third-most sacks to their quarterbacks this season. Plus, the Giants do not have too many elite skill players to worry about entirely. But, the Browns have allowed 28.3 points per game this year (27th). They will need to control the game through their offense and not allow the Giants to take over the clock and run the ball.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Kareem Hunt
WR1: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR2: Jarvis Landry
WR3: Rashard Higgins
TE: Austin Hooper

Betting Corner Giants +6.5

Spread: +/- 6.5
Moneyline: Browns -167, Giants +138
Over/Under: 44.5

Prediction

Spread: Giants +6.5
Moneyline: Browns -167
Over/Under: u44.5

The Cleveland Browns really need a win to seal their playoff spot in the AFC, and I think they will do it after having bad taste in their mouth from last week. The Giants might be without their quarterback and their best defensive player, so I foresee the Browns winning this one. However, this spread is too large to not take advantage of against the Giants. No one saw them start playing teams how they have been recently, especially against the Seahawks. I would take the Giants spread and the Browns money line.

The Browns are 8-5 this season, leaning to the over picks. But, the Giants have the worst over/under record in the NFL, only having hit the over 3 times this season. Considering the Browns are mostly a rushing team and are facing one of the best rushing defenses and the team that hits the under the most, I would take the under for this game.

Love/Hate Fantasy Picks

Love

Kareem Hunt put on a show last week against the Ravens with 6-33-1 from the backfield and 6-77-1 from the air. He put up 29 fantasy points for the 4th spot on the rankings and above his partner, Nick Chubb. Nick Chubb has established his place as the team’s down-for-down running back. However, Hunt still will see touches in the backfield and plenty through the air. I like his versatility coming in handy for this week. He has projected 10.9 points this week.

Hate

Jarvis Landry has had an excellent three weeks averaging 15+ points per game in fantasy football. He has seen a lot of targets from Baker with 22 catches in the past three weeks. However, the Giants allow the 7th least amount of fantasy points to wide receivers this season. If James Bradberry is lined up with him, too, I don’t expect him to see much action either. He still has projected 13.25 points next week.