Brian Lewerke, Malik McDowell impress in Giants vs. Browns battle

Sunday’s Giants vs. Browns preseason matchup was one of the more intriguing battles of the preseason for Michigan State fans as Brian Lewerke faced off against Malik McDowell.

Two guys who have been away from the NFL for a little while finally got a shot to prove themselves for their respective teams as they aim to make rosters this fall.

And they both played well.

After a shaky start, Lewerke steadied out in the second half, taking over for Mike Glennon who played the first half. He missed on his first throw and scrambled a little too much on his first drive, but he gained some confidence in the fourth quarter as he settled in. He threw a big touchdown pass (his first as an NFL quarterback) with just over seven minutes left in the game to make it 14-13, but McDowell sniffed out the 2-point conversion attempt.

Lewerke and David Sills IV (former West Virginia standout) were forming a solid connection in the second half. The Giants had a chance to engineer a game-winning drive with about two minutes left after the Browns kicked a field goal to make it 17-13, but he got the team down to the red zone before throwing a pick on a Hail Mary-like attempt in the end zone on a jump-ball with time expiring.

Overall, it was a good performance for Lewerke who just got the call from the Giants a week ago after Clayton Thorson was injured and it’s a good look as he tries to make the roster with Glennon and Daniels Jones in the QB room.

Even if he doesn’t make the team, this is a good audition for a practice squad.

McDowell was earning praise all afternoon as he actually sacked Lewerke in the second half and helped stop the go-ahead 2-point conversion attempt. NFL Network also conducted some sideline interviews with Browns players and they had nothing but good things to say about McDowell.

He hasn’t been in the league since an ATV accident nearly ended his playing career back in 2017.

Both helped their cases to make rosters or practice squads during this contest.

Both former Spartans had good auditions

While Lewerke’s accuracy was a little shaky at times, he did make some big throws on third and fourth downs down the stretch in the fourth quarter. He finished the game 11-for-19 with 108 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on a last-second 50-50 throw attempt in the end zone to win the game. He also rushed for 27 yards, including a nice 20-yarder on a fake handoff.

McDowell is probably the most likely to make a roster this fall after he was all over the place in this game and earned praise from broadcasters and teammates. He finished the game with six total tackles and a sack.

These guys were fun to watch on Sunday afternoon and improved their stocks.