Jeff Garcia and the Browns were unable to score in the first three quarters against a Giants defense that is improving each week. Garcia was 21-of-31 for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but was constantly under intense pressure from Michael Strahan and the rest of the Giants defensive front against an obviously weaker offensive line.
William Green showed some signs of life with 15 rushes for 90 yards, and had a 30-yard run that was called back on a holding penalty. Lee Suggs was held out once again and is doubtful for next week against the Redskins. Dennis Northcutt played his typical style of possession football as he collected nine catches for 50 yards and Quincy Morgan added three receptions, which included the Browns lone touchdown.
Daylon McCutcheon and Anthony Henry were both injured and unable to play Sunday leaving Leigh Bodden and Michael Lehan to start against the passing attack of Kurt Warner, who threw for 286 yards, but without a touchdown.
Ben Taylor was lost in the first quarter to a pectoral injury and joins Suggs, McCutcheon, Henry, Courtney Brown, Gerrard Warren, Ryan Tucker and Kellen Winslow on the injury list.
“There was so much made out of having six or seven starters out of the game,” Browns head coach Butch Davis told reporters after the game. “You start thinking this guy has to do this and this guy has to do that, that you almost paralyze yourself.”
The Browns record falls to 1-2 and is tied with Cincinnati's for last in the division. The Browns return home next week to host Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins.
