Giants Notebook: Nabers, Pass Rush Stars in Week 3 Win

The New York Giants found their first win of the season away from home, taking down the Cleveland Browns 21-15 .

Frankly, it was more than the first tally in the win column, a road upset against a more talented team. The win was of the season-saving variety, stopping the downward spiral that had consumed the roster and coaching staff alike.

New York survived a missed field goal and two fumbles – seemingly impossible a week ago.

Once again, receiver Malik Nabers proved to be among the league’s best, even as a rookie.

Logging double-digit targets, Nabers hauled in eight passes for 78 yards and two scores . He was routinely open, and his prowess in contested-catch situations rendered defenders futile.

His most important snap, though, may have come on quarterback Daniel Jones’ worst throw of the night. In his own end zone, Jones fluttered a ball over the middle of the field, toward two Cleveland defenders. Nabers managed to knock the ball away, saving the Giants’ game and, perhaps, season.

Nabers once again stood out on the offense, but the defense matched his performance on Sunday.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times by a pass rush that had been dormant in the prior two weeks. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence had two, edge rushers Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari each had one, as did defensive tackle Elijah Chatman and safety Jason Pinnock. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches each tallied a half sack.

It was the best defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s defense had looked all year. It also was New York’s best showing against the run. Cleveland running backs combined for 12 rushes and 42 yards, just a week after the Giants were gashed for 215 on the ground.

Related: Giants' Malik Nabers Sets Record in Win Over Browns

A week ago, the Giants were staring down a cellar-bound season with a punchless offense and a defense that couldn’t find the fruits of the offseason’s labor. After Week 3’s win, New York is a flawed 1-2 team, but it’s alive and capable of beating more talented teams.

That’s about as much as fans could have asked for, especially given the sour taste that September had provided in the early going.