Cleveland Browns' Rashard Higgins (81) is tackled by New York Giants' Darian Thompson (27) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) AP
The Giants' first-team defense looked very much like a work-in-progress in the three series that they played in Thursday night's exhibition opener against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium.
While the defensive line failed to generate much pressure on Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the defensive line was much stouter against the run.
Taylor was 5-for-5 passing for 99 yards and hit tight end David Njoku for a first-quarter touchdown against the Giants' starters.