NY Giants vs Cleveland Browns predictions: Our expert picks for Week 3 of NFL season

The Giants (0-2) are back on the road as they travel to Cleveland to face the Browns (1-1) in Week 3 of the NFL season.

It was another disappointing performance for Big Blue in Week 2, who lost 21-18 to the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the Giants finding success offensively, a crucial drop from No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers and not having kicker Graham Gano -- who left the game after the opening kickoff with an injury -- proved costly as the franchise has started a season 0-2 for the first time since 2021.

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This will be the Giants' first game in Cleveland since 2016, when another first-round LSU wide receiver product -- Odell Beckham Jr. -- went off for six catches, 96 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 27-13 win over the Browns.

Our prognosticators throughout the season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Steve Edelson (columnist, APP.com), Vince Mercogliano (Rangers/NHL columnist, lohud.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com), and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).

Here are the standings for our staff members going into Week 3:

Steve Edelson and Vincent Mercogliano: 2-0

Art Stapleton, Chris Iseman, Dave Rivera: 1-1

Bert Bainbridge, Bob Jordan and Brian Marron: 0-2

Here are our staff predictions for the Giants vs. Browns game in Week 3:

Art Stapleton

The pick: Giants 20, Browns 17

Here's why: Desperation. Had the Browns lost last week and if both teams were winless, I'd lean to Cleveland. But the Browns didn't exactly play a clean game against the Jaguars for their first win. They lead the league in penalties committed by a big margin and I'm not convinced Deshaun Watson has fixed his problems. Toss in the fact that the Browns' best players (Myles Garrett's foot and Denzel Ward's shoulder) are not at 100 percent. I'm going to play a hunch here that the Giants feel the urgency of the moment and play their best game in a while.

Vince Mercogliano

The pick: Browns 20, Giants 19

Here’s why: I'm pretty torn on this one. Cleveland hasn't been very impressive through two games, particularly with Deshaun Watson looking like a shell of himself and Nick Chubb still recovering from multiple knee injuries, but its defense should be the best unit between the two teams. It'll help for the Giants to have a usable kicker, and while I think they'll put forth a spirited effort to avoid going 0-3, I'm not sure this flawed roster is ready to pull out a win in a tough road environment.

Bert Bainbridge

The pick: Browns 24, Giants 14

Here's why: The Giants offense showed some life last week against the Commanders. However, they'll face a much stiffer challenge in Cleveland's defense on the road. Big Blue struggles will continue, as they start 0-3 to a season for the third time in the last five years with the organization still looking for their first win, with a short week on deck in Week 4.

Bob Jordan

The pick: Giants 20, Browns 17

Here's why: Giants by a field goal - a week after Kickergate.

Brian Marron

The pick: Browns 20, Giants 13

Here's why: The Giants showed improvement last week, albeit against a porous defense in Washington. Cleveland presents a much tougher challenge, particularly on the road. Until New York's offense can show consistent production, it is hard to see it scoring enough to win this one.

Chris Iseman

The pick: Browns 24, Giants 20

Here's why: Until the Giants show me otherwise, it's tough to pick them to win. Cleveland also went 8-1 on its home turf last season.

Dave Rivera

The pick: Browns 23, Giants 19

Here's why: The Giants showed some improvement Sunday against the Commanders, which I know is not saying much based on what we saw from them in Week 1. But this team will battle, and they'll compete in these games. I just don't think they'll be able to get over the hump this week.

Steve Edelson

The pick: Browns 24, Giants 10

Here's why: The Browns defense is actually pretty good. Certainly good enough to give the Giants problems.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants vs Cleveland Browns predictions: Our picks for NFL Week 3