Giants vs. Browns 2017: Start time, TV channel, and how to watch online

The Cleveland Browns will host the New York Giants for the first Monday Night Football preseason game of 2017. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Browns will play in a preseason MNF game and the first time since 1992 that they’ll host one.

The game will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. A live stream is available at WatchESPN.

After a Week 1 preseason loss to the Steelers, the Giants are looking to bounce back. Eli Manning may be the starting quarterback, but there is a real competition for the No. 2 spot between Josh Johnson and Geno Smith, with rookie passer Davis Webb also making a case for the backup role.

Last week, it was tough for any of the New York quarterbacks to create momentum with an offensive line that allowed seven sacks.

Head coach Ben McAdoo wasn’t willing to assign all the blame, though.

“There was a mistake on the outside where the quarterback had to eat the ball on one occasion. Then there was one extended play, where we had to throw the ball away. So we can’t blame the offensive line,” McAdoo said, according to Big Blue View.

The defense, on the other hand, hasn’t seemed to regress. Instead, Landon Collins stepped up with five big tackles in two series, and Jay Bromley moved into Johnathan Hankins’ old role, making three tackles in 19 snaps, including a big tackle for loss on third-and-1.

This position group will be tested during the Week 2 matchup against the Browns, with Cleveland’s front line improving on last year’s performance.

There were enough good things out of the Browns’ first preseason game to think they actually have a chance to not be a complete dumpster fire this season. They even won. The offensive line gave each of the quarterbacks plenty of time in the pocket, and the skill positions look more promising — and definitely faster — than in past years.

Still embroiled in a quarterback competition, Brock Osweiler saw more snaps in Week 1 than most starters throughout the league. The oddly acquired QB snagged the start ahead of Cody Kessler and DeShone Kizer and went 6-of-14 for 42 yards, coupled with a nice 10-yard rush from the athletic 6’8 passer. Kessler finished the day 5-of-10 for 47 yards, with the rookie Kizer finishing his NFL debut at 11-of-18 for 184 yards and one score.

Of course, it can’t all be roses. Cam Erving could not stay on his feet all game and ultimately probably lost the starting right tackle spot to Shon Coleman. Erving and Coleman had been rotating at RT through training camp, but Coleman has seen an increase in first team reps at the position since last week’s preseason opener.

“Whether it is playing left tackle or right tackle, you just have to go out there and work your technique and everything,” Coleman said, via ClevelandBrowns.com. “It is good work for me to be able to go on both sides and be able to keep refreshing everything as far as assignments and things like that.”

Erving is dealing with a calf injury now, so he’ll miss Monday night’s game. Left guard Joel Bitonio is out with a knee injury, while veteran left tackle Joe Thomas gets another week of rest. That makes it a little tougher for the Browns quarterbacks, as they’re battling to be named the Week 1 starter.

Both the Giants and Browns will be hoping their offensive lines can better protect whoever is in the pocket as the preseason continues. There are only two games left after this before the start of the regular season, and neither team can afford too much adversity heading into the year.

When: 8 p.m. ET

Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

TV: ESPN

Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

Online: WatchESPN