New York Giants 2016 schedule preview: Cleveland Browns, Week 12

Week 12 of the 2016 NFL season will find the New York Giants on the road to face the once-again starting over Cleveland Browns. After winning just three games in 2015, the Browns have a new coach in Hue Jackson, new quarterback in Robert Griffin III and a whole host of new players in their supporting cast.

First reaction when you see the Browns on the schedule is that you want to chalk this one up in the “win” column. Not so fast, though. Let’s remember that, while they have been marginally better than the Browns, the Giants haven’t had a winning season since 2011.

Let’s find out a little bit more about the Browns from our friends at SB Nation’s Dawgs By Nature.

Cleveland Browns

Notable free agent additions: QB Robert Griffin III, LB Demario Davis, LB Justin Tuggle

Notable free agent departures: C Alex Mack, OT Mitchell Schwartz WR Travis Benjamin, LB Karlos Dansby (released), S Donte Whitner (released), QB Johnny Manziel (released)

Trades: Traded down in the 2016 NFL Draft and acquired more picks in the 2017 NFL Draft

Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:

WR Corey Coleman: The Browns desperately needed to upgrade the wide receiver position in the draft, especially after the departure of Travis Benjamin and Josh Gordon’s constant struggle to stay clean. Coleman brings a combination of athleticism and playmaking ability that Hue Jackson’s offense relies upon to succeed. Coleman will play a big part in the offense, especially in the downfield passing game.

DE Carl Nassib: The Browns’ pass rushing proved to be nonexistent in the Mike Pettine era. Jackson will partially be judged for how his staff shapes up a mediocre defense with few threats in the pass rush. Nassib is just one of several rookies (Emmanuel Ogbah, Joe Schobert, etc.) expected to bring pressure off the edge.

Biggest offseason addition:

QB Robert Griffin III: Quite a stir occurred when the Browns signed Griffin. Jackson told fans and the media to trust him on this one, though Clevelanders are still skeptical. Griffin will hold down the fort until Jackson can mold rookie QB Cody Kessler, or whatever young quarterback Jackson tries to develop into that elusive franchise quarterback. Griffin thrived in his rookie year then regressed big-time during his next few seasons. The question for him is whether or not he can regain his old form in an offense that will be crafted to his skillset.

Biggest storyline heading into training camp: The 14 new draft picks in training camp. Everyone wants to see how Hue Jackson will bring the biggest draft class in Browns history into the mix. It’s a given that the Browns will cut at least a few of the picks. The question is, ‘Which ones will the Browns cut?’ The only rookie assured a starting spot is Corey Coleman, though starting slots are open for rookies who seize the opportunity during camp.

Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp: The relationship between Hue Jackson and the front office. Jackson made the call to sign Griffin and to draft Kessler, leading some to believe the relationship between Jackson and the front office might become strained if Griffin and Kessler don’t pan out. Training camp decisions could cause trouble if Jackson and EVP of Football Operations Sashi Brown don’t see eye to eye. If Jackson tries to stifle the analytics department, the new restructuring of the front office will be for naught.

Notable injuries heading into training camp:

CB Joe Haden (ankle), Gary Barnidge (sports hernia), Josh McCown (collarbone). All should be ready to go for training camp.

Giants 2016 regular season schedule

Week 1: at Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX) — Cowboys overview

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. (FOX) — Saints overview

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. (FOX) — Redskins overview

Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings, Oct. 3, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) — Vikings overview

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers, Oct. 9, 8:30 p.m. (NBC) — Packers overview

Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Oct. 16, 1 p.m. (CBS) — Ravens overview

Week 7: at Los Angeles Rams (London), Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m. (NFL Network) — Rams overview

Week 8: BYE WEEK

Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 6, 1 p.m. (FOX) — Eagles overview

Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 14, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) — Bengals overview

Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. (FOX) — Bears overview

Week 12: at Cleveland Browns, Nov. 27, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Dec. 4, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)

Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles, Dec. 22, 8:25 (NBC/NFL Network)

Week 17: at Washington Redskins, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Preseason schedule

Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins, Fri., Aug. 12, 7 p.m.

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills, Sat., Aug. 20 (TBA)

Week 3: at New York Jets, Sat., Aug 27, 7:30 p.m.

Week 4: vs. New England Patriots, Thurs., Sept. 1, 7 p.m.