CLEVELAND -- Time to look at the glass as half full ... one part of the Cleveland Browns' formula came through Monday night.
The team, which beat the New York Giants 10-6 in a preseason game, hopes to win this season with the running game and the defense, and the defense performed well in the first half when the starters played.
The Browns held the Giants to three points, six first downs, one-for-five on third down and 99 total yards in the first half. Eli Manning completed 10 of 14 passes, but he didn’t get in the end zone. And the Giants averaged 2.9 yards per carry on 10 running plays. The defense also forced a turnover that set up the Browns' first touchdown.
That was the good.
The bad was the offense, which did little until Cleveland cornerback Jason McCourty stole the ball from Sterling Shepard after a reception. That set up quarterback DeShone Kizer with a short field, which led to a touchdown against the Giants' backup defense.
Kizer had four drives and threw for 74 yards. Brock Osweiler had two drives and threw for 25. The Browns held the Giants to 99 yards, but they totaled 99 yards themselves.
It was not exactly pretty or efficient football.
QB depth chart: Osweiler threw for 25 yards on eight passes and had an interception on a tipped ball. He probably will start the season opener against the Steelers. This is the Browns’ situation at the most important position on the field.
When it was starters vs. starters, the Browns looked ...: Overmatched. Again. There were six penalties, two sacks and just seven first downs when the Browns played the Giants' starting defense. Rod Johnson, the Browns third-team left tackle starting because Joe Thomas got the night off and Cam Erving was hurt, was flagged twice for a false start, and guard Kevin Zeitler was flagged twice for holding (one was declined).
One reason to be concerned: Kizer has exceeded expectations, but he also has not exactly broken down the door to steal the starting quarterback job. The problem is Osweiler also has not exactly secured the job with outstanding play. Uncertainty at the most important position on the field is a large factor for concern.
That guy could start: That guy should start. Jabrill Peppers started at free safety and was noticeable. Peppers had four tackles in the first half, second on the team behind middle linebacker Joe Schobert. Peppers also took a punt back 31 yards. Peppers appears to be securing important roles in a couple of areas.
Rookie watch: Kizer got four drives for the Browns and scored 10 points, the touchdown coming on a short field after a Giants' turnover. He finished 8-for-13 for 74 yards, with five rushes for 35 yards -- some on read-option plays that during the regular season would be very risky. Kizer did some good things, and just missed a long touchdown pass to rookie tight end David Njoku. But he also held the ball too long at times and had an interception negated by penalty. Though Osweiler was not exactly efficient, Kizer also didn’t seem to do enough to steal the job. Coach Hue Jackson now can continue the competition into the third game, or name a starter for the opener. He has treated Osweiler like the starter in practice and started him in both games. It would seem likely Osweiler will start against Pittsburgh.
Eleven join in national anthem statement: Eleven Browns players knelt in a circle behind the bench during the national anthem. The group included running backs Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell (who did not play), tight end Seth DeValve and linebackers Jamie Collins and Chris Kirksey. This was one of the largest protest statements made by a team since Colin Kaepernick first sat during the national anthem during preseason a year ago.
The ire of Beckham: Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was not at all happy with a low hit by Briean Boddy-Calhoun after a reception. Boddy-Calhoun went low and hit Beckham on the left knee. Beckham left the game and was clearly angry with the hit, which was not flagged. He did not return due to a sprained ankle.
Injury report: Linebacker Tank Carder is in his sixth season in Cleveland, but this is the first time he’s competed to start. Carder has started the first two preseason games at middle linebacker, but he left the game against the Giants in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return.