The New York Giants have found a successful strategy: throw the ball to Malik Nabers.
The rookie wide receiver caught two touchdown passes from Daniel Jones, made an impressive catch along the sideline, and even prevented a potential interception as the Giants defeated the Cleveland Browns 21-15 on Sunday, earning their first win.
Jones and Nabers connected twice in the first half, helping the Giants (1-2) take a 21-7 lead before they had to hold on tightly.
“I have a lot of trust in him going up and getting the ball,” Jones said. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 236 yards as the Giants bounced back from a loss at Washington that led to criticism of coach Brian Daboll.
It wasn’t easy for the Giants. Even with three offensive linemen injured, Deshaun Watson pushed the Browns (1-2) forward, giving them three chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Giants recovered a fumble and stopped the Browns on downs twice.
The Giants had their own mistakes. They fumbled the opening kickoff and quickly fell behind 7-0, and kicker Greg Joseph missed a 48-yard field goal that could have sealed the game.
“Just a normal NFL game,” Daboll said with a straight face.
Nabers, however, stood out. As one of the few bright spots for the Giants, the first-round pick had eight catches for 78 yards, including a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone for his first touchdown.
At 21 years and 56 days old, he also became the youngest wide receiver in NFL history to have two touchdown receptions.
Nabers mentioned that Jones gave him specific instructions for the plays he was involved in.
“He said, ‘It’s you or nobody,’” Nabers recalled.
Towards the end of the first half, Nabers took the ball away from Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. for a 28-yard catch.
