Three times in a span of 31 seconds before taking questions in his post-game news conference Sept. 22, Coach Kevin Stefanski used the word “disappointing” to describe the way the Browns played in a 21-15 loss to the previously winless New York Giants. Anyone who paid for a ticket to sit in Huntington Bank Field or watched the game on television might have chosen a saltier word unfit for publication in a family newspaper to describe what happened. The Browns’ defense, reputed to be one of the best in the league, gave up touchdown drives of 81 yards and 93 yards in the first half. Three times in a 31-second span of his post-game press conference, Coach Kevin Stefanski used the word "disappointing" to describe the way the #Browns played in a 21-15 loss to the Giants on Sunday. What adjective would you use? pic.twitter.com/20pnlogJZJ — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) September 22, 2024 A strip-sack of Deshaun Watson at the Cleveland 31 recovered by the Giants with 32 seconds left in the second quarter led to another New York touchdown before halftime. And then just when the Browns were on the road to recovery, down 21-15 and having driven from their 20 to the Giants’ 44 with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter, a handoff from Watson to running back Jerome Ford was fumbled. The Giants recovered the ball, and though they did not score, the Browns (1-2) never were close to threatening again. “Obviously, very, very disappointed to play like we did and not be able to put ourselves in position to win,” Stefanski said. “I have to get it fixed. It’s really disappointing on a bunch of different levels. …Got a game next week against an AFC opponent (the Raiders in Las Vegas) and that will be our focus very quickly here, but very, very disappointed.” The fumbled exchange between Watson and Ford — such a crucial play in the loss — especially irritated Stefanski. “There’s no excuse,” Stefanski said. “It’s a simple handoff. We have to be able to execute that. And, honestly, you aren’t going to win games when you do stuff like that.” Watson would only say: “I just did my due diligence. Try to hand the ball to him, and after that I just saw the ball on the ground, so.” Injuries took out three starting offensive linemen in the third quarter. One by one, right guard Wyatt Teller (knee), left guard Jedrick Wills (knee) and swing tackle James Hudson (shoulder) were escorted limping to the locker room, never to return, but by then most of the damage had occurred. All three will have MRIs on Sept. 23. Deshaun Watson answers questions about why the #Browns were beaten, 21-15, by the #Giants on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field. pic.twitter.com/mRQFr3x55C — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) September 22, 2024 Watson was sacked four times in the first two quarters while the line was healthy. The Browns were 1-for-5 on third down. The injuries forced a major reshuffling of the line. Left guard Joel Bitonio moved to left tackle, center Ethan Pocic moved to left guard, Nick Harris took over at center and rookie Zak Zinter replaced Teller at right guard. Watson ended up being sacked a total of eight times and for the second time in three games, he was hit a total of 17 times. “It’s not for lack of effort,” Stefanski said. “Deshaun gives you everything he has. He can’t get sacked that many times. He can’t get hit that many times. That’s not good enough and that’s on me and that’s on us to get it fixed.” The start of the game could not have gone better from a Browns perspective. Giants kick returner Eric Gray fumbled the opening kickoff. Grant Delpit recovered the ball and on the next play, Watson hit Amari Cooper for a 24-yard touchdown strike. If only the game could have ended there. The two teams exchanged punts and then on the first play of the Giants’ second possession, Daniel Jones threw a pass that Delpit intercepted. But the interception was negated because Browns blitzing cornerback Greg Newsome was called for roughing the passer for hitting Jones in the head. Replays appeared to show it was the right call. “From my view, I thought I hit him in the strike zone (the chest area),” Newsome said. “I kind of let up at the end, but they called it, so it’s a penalty.” PHOTOS: Browns vs. Giants, Sept. 22, 2024 Borderline call or not, the Browns allowed the Giants to march 66 yards to the end zone on 13 plays after the penalty moved the ball to the New York 34. The 93-yard touchdown drive took 14 plays. The Browns had no answer for the short passing game and screen passes that worked so well for the Giants until the second half when it was too late. They had no answer for wide receiver Malik Nabers, who caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. There were two bright spots. Cooper caught seven passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Watson and Cooper seem to have their mojo back. Also, the Browns held the Giants to 122 yards of offense, six first downs and no points in the second half. But consolation prizes are for losers. Injuries on the offensive line contributed to Deshaun Watson being hit 17 times in the Browns' loss to the Giants. (Tim Phillis - For The News-Herald)