Daniel Jones could get used to this.
Giants rookie first-round pick Malik Nabers ripped an interception right out of the hands of Browns corner Martin Emerson Jr. down the left sideline for a 28-yard gain in Sunday’s second quarter.
Then Nabers made a circus catch for a 3-yard touchdown four plays later on a high pass to the corner from Jones. Nabers also made a second 5-yard touchdown catch before halftime to send the Giants into the break up, 21-7.
This is what a No. 1 receiver can do for a quarterback.
Jones completed 17 of 19 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns for a 140.8 quarterback rating in the first half, attacking the edges on screen passes and finding holes in the middle of Cleveland’s zone to Wan’Dale Robinson.
But Nabers’ heroics on the Giants’ second quarter touchdown drive provided an explosive, game-changing element that took the offense over the top.
Nabers first leapt into the air and stole the football out of Emerson’s hands from behind the Cleveland corner and tapped his feet inbounds to set up the Giants’ second touchdown of the day.
That touchdown was a high Jones throw to the back left corner. Nabers leapt in the air, snagged the ball and spun adeptly to tap both feet in bounds and hold on for the 14-7 lead with 1:44 remaining in the second quarter.
Giants edge rusher Brian Burns then strip-sacked Deshaun Watson and gave the offense the ball back, and Nabers promptly caught a 12-yard pass for a first down and then secured a 5-yard TD wide open in the back of the end zone.
Nabers went into the half with six catches on six targets for 66 yards and two TDs. And the Browns got booed off the field by their home crowd.