Here are 10 storylines to follow as the Giants take on the Browns Sunday at 1 PM ET:
1. BEST START SINCE '08
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At 7-3, the New York Giants are off to their best 10-game start since going 9-1 in 2008. This year's team is also looking for its sixth consecutive win on Sunday, which would be the franchise's longest streak since when? 2008. They will attempt to do so on the road against the winless Cleveland Browns, marking the sixth matchup since 1970 between teams with a five-game winning streak and an 11-game losing streak. The team with the winning streak is 5-0.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet," coach Ben McAdoo said when asked if he expected this much success in his first season at the helm. "The highs are high and the lows are low and you're going have to put out three dumpster fires a day. Other than that, you need to focus on your preparation and get ready for the next opponent.
"It's an exciting week for our guys. Haven't been on the road in a little while, so anytime you get a chance to get on the road and bond and spend some time together, some quality time together that way, your team has a chance to grow and get closer."
2. STATE OF THE NFC EAST
The Dallas Cowboys continue to gobble up the NFC East and the conference as a whole, as they won their 10th game in a row and improved to 10-1 with a 31-26 victory over the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving Day. With the loss, Washington dropped to 6-4-1 but still holds the second Wild Card spot. Big Blue owns the first Wild Card entering Week 12, while Philadelphia (5-5) prepares for a Monday night game against Green Bay. The Giants don't have another divisional matchup until they play three in the final four games, beginning with a Sunday night visit from the Cowboys in Week 14.
3. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out: LG Justin Pugh (knee), OL Brett Jones (calf), OL Marshall Newhouse (knee)
Questionable: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee), RB Orleans Darkwa (lower leg), G Adam Gettis (calf), WR Roger Lewis (concussion)
4. BROWNS INJURY REPORT
Out: QB Cody Kessler (concussion)
Questionable: DB Ed Reynolds (knee), DB Tramon Williams (knee)
5. CLEVELAND QB SITUATION
Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III was designated for return from injured reserve on Wednesday and returned to practice in Cleveland. The former Redskin and 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left shoulder during the season opener against the Eagles.
The Browns have 21 days to activate Griffin or he must remain on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season. On Monday, coach Hue Jackson announced Josh McCown would start against the Giants with Kessler in the concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Eli Manning is set to start in his 205th consecutive game on Sunday.
6. THE PRYOR EFFECT
In Week 3, Cleveland's Terrelle Pryor Sr. became the first player since Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford in 1959 to record at least 120 receiving yards, 30 passing yards and 20 rushing yards in a single game. The quarterback-turned-receiver leads the Browns with 724 yards and four touchdowns on 56 receptions. McAdoo, a fellow native of Southwestern Pennsylvania, first noticed Pryor in high school. "Just a tremendous athlete," he said.
7. SURGING DEFENSE
In the first five games of the season, the Giants' defense had just two interceptions and four sacks. In the last five, it recorded eight picks and 14 sacks. As a result, the Giants are 11th in the NFL in allowing just 20 points per game, 7.6 fewer than a year ago.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants take on the Browns
WR STERLING SHEPARDThe second-round pick out of Oklahoma is currently tied with Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas for the rookie lead in touchdown receptions (5). Shepard is looking to extend his touchdown streak to four-straight games on Sunday.
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSIncluding his game-winning takeaway last week, the second-year safety is entering the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with five interceptions in the last four games. He also has 80 tackles and three interceptions.
DT JOHNATHAN HANKINSAlong with fellow defensive tackle Damon Harrison, Hankins has helped a Giants defense that is fifth in the NFL in allowing 3.6 yards per carry. Hankins has 30 tackles (seven for loss), eight quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks on the year.
DE OLIVIER VERNONSince the bye week, Vernon has recorded a sack in three consecutive games and has 10 tackles for loss and a forced fumble on the season.
RB RASHAD JENNINGSAfter running for just 168 yards in the Giants' first eight games (he missed three because of a thumb injury), Jennings has 172 in the last two. As a team, the Giants notched a season-high 122 yards rushing against Cincinnati and 102 against Chicago, marking the first time they had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 2014.
8. TURNING THE CORNER
After four consecutive games with less than 55 yards rushing, the Giants notched a season-high 122 yards rushing against Cincinnati and 102 against Chicago, marking the first time they had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 2014. The offense looks to make it three in a row against the Browns, who are allowing 143.9 yards per game this season.
Historically, the Giants have put up big numbers on the ground in their matchups with Cleveland. In their last two games against the Browns, they averaged 212 yards on the ground. They ran for 243 against the Browns at home in 2012 and 181 on the road in 2008. The Giants have rushed for at least 200 yards in 10 of their 50 games in the all-time series with Cleveland, including postseason.
9. COLLINS FOR NFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
Including his walk-off takeaway last week against the Bears, safety Landon Collins now has five interceptions in the last four games to go along with 80 tackles and three sacks on the season. The second-year pro, who is tied with San Diego's Casey Hayward and Kansas City's Marcus Peters for the NFL lead in interceptions, is starting to enter the conversation about possibly becoming the Giants' first AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year since Michael Strahan in 2001. Lawrence Taylor is the only other Giant to win the award, doing so in 1981, 1982 and 1986.
10. CLOSE CALLS
The Giants' seven wins this season have been decided by a total of 27 points, the fewest in a team's first seven wins in NFL history. Additionally, the Giants are 7-2 in games decided by seven points or fewer. In 2015, they were 3-8 in such games.
