NFL: New York Giants keep Cleveland at bay

Reigning champions New York Giants overcame a fast start by Cleveland to power past the Browns 41-27 at MetLife Stadium in the Big Apple.

The winless Browns came flying out of the traps in New York and quickly went 14-0 ahead after rookie running back Trent Richardson bullied his way over from 15 yards.

Cleveland’s rookie brigade struck again as quarterback Brandon Weedon hit Josh Gordon for a 65-yard touchdown for the wideout’s first score of his career after being picked out of the supplemental draft.

Victor Cruz found the end zone on a three-yard pass from Eli Manning just before the end of the first quarter, and Big Blue then started to run away with the game during a spell of 27 unanswered points.

Ahmad Bradshaw ran in from four yards and Cruz got two more touchdown passes from Manning from seven and 28 yards, while Lawrence Tynes kicked two field goals as the home side moved 34-17 in front.

The Browns could only reply with a Phil Dawson before rookie rusher David Wilson scampered 40 yards for the Giants to put the finishing touches on their third win of the season.

There was still time for Weedon to throw another TD pass to Gordon but it was not enough to stop Cleveland from dropping to 0-5 despite showing some signs of life on offence if not in defence.

Bradshaw was able to run for 200 yards along with his touchdown, and Manning threw for 259 yards with one interception to go along with his three TD throws.

The Giants lost starting tight end Martellus Bennett in the first quarter with a knee injury, but even without him and the injured Hakeem Nicks Cruz did huge damage with his three scores and stand-in Rueben Randle caught six balls for 82 yards.