Battle of the rookie head coaches

There will be plenty on the line for both teams when Daniel Jones and the Giants welcome Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns into MetLife Stadium for a pre-Christmas, high-stakes matchup.

- Mike Addvensky

Although this game would have been even more interesting if Odell Beckham Jr. was healthy, it should still be an entertaining one. This will be Jones’ first opportunity to face Mayfield, a player who once said that he could not believe the Giants drafted Jones. Barring a setback with his hamstring injury, the Giants’ second-year quarterback will now get the opportunity to have the last laugh. However, he will not get the chance to outperform Mayfield if his offensive line cannot adequately protect him from the menacing Browns’ front seven that features Myles Garrett. Defensively, the Giants need to slow down Cleveland’s explosive running game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt both have the ability to wear down opposing defenses. Most teams have struggled to establish the running game against Cleveland. However, Jason Garrett cannot abandon this aspect of his offense, even if the Browns’ defensive line is stuffing Wayne Gallman and the other Giants’ backs. Here are TGI’s keys to victory:

Giants’ offensive line vs. Browns’ front seven