After improving on the road, Deshaun Watson and the Browns return home to face winless Giants

CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson walked off the field following a dreadful home opener two weeks ago with a towel covering his head, looking as if he was trying to hide.

He's returning a little less embarrassed.

A much better performance last week in a 18-13 win at Jacksonville boosted Watson's confidence as the Browns (1-1) prepare to host the New York Giants (0-2) on Sunday. Still, Cleveland's quarterback said there's plenty of room for improvement.

“We left a lot of opportunities out there on the field overall,” he said. "All of us.”

It's no different for the Giants, who retreated to their locker room in disgust and disbelief last week after scoring three touchdowns to Washington's none and still losing 21-18 as the Commanders kicked seven field goals.

In the aftermath, coach Brian Daboll was criticized for not having a second kicker active and available in case Graham Gano, who went into the game nursing a groin injury, got hurt. As luck, or in this case bad luck would have it, Gano injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff.

New York punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point, and the Giants failed on a pair of 2-point tries, leading to Daboll having to fend off questions about his decision and future.

And it's only Week 3.

“Everyone realizes our record,” Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said. “I think everybody understands that, but no one’s discouraged.”

Watson's bounce-back gave the Browns some hope that he's finally moved past two disappointing seasons.

Showing more decisiveness than in the opener — his first game since shoulder surgery in November — Watson went 22 of 34 for 186 yards and scored on a 1-yard run against the Jaguars. He also made a couple of improvised plays that only a few QBs in the NFL could dare duplicate.

It was a major step forward after Watson was inaccurate and unsteady in the opener against Dallas, a debut dud he attributed to a long layoff and Cleveland's new offense.

“It’s just Game 2, just more reps and just getting comfortable with the scheme,” Watson said. “That was our first time, all 11 of us together plus the coaching staff together calling the plays and just operating in a live setting.

"So we’re always a little bit more aware of where we wanted to go with the ball and the game plan. So it’s definitely an opportunity for us to improve this week and just try to build on that.”

Amari Cooper has been unrecognizable on the field.

Cleveland's No. 1 receiver in his No. 2 jersey hasn't looked like himself.

Despite being targeted 17 times by Watson, Cooper has caught just five passes for 27 yards in the first two games. The five-time Pro Bowler has dropped two long passes in key spots — one of them an easy touchdown.

It's the worst start in a 10-year career for Cooper, who made a surprising admission this week when he said hadn't been practicing with the same focus. He said that all changed this week.

“Just me knowing my game, knowing myself, just got to go out there and play my brand of football, play to my standard,” said Cooper, who is in his final year under contract. “I haven’t been doing that the past couple of weeks, but I’ve been motivated, so it’s time to get going. I’ll be back.”

New York's passing game has spent a lot of time in one, ahem, Naber-hood.

Jones has had targets on 65 of his 70 passes, with 25 directed at rookie Malik Nabers.

While maybe not ideal, Jones' attention to Nabers has been productive as the No. 6 overall pick from LSU has 15 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging 12.9 yards per grab, ranking him in the top 5 in the league, but he also had a crucial drop in the fourth quarter at Washington.

Jones expects the Browns to do their own focusing on Nabers, and understands he'd better have a Plan B.

“We have to be ready for that and understand that when you have a player like that, and you feature him like that, defenses are going to adjust,” he said.

The Browns are running afoul.

Cleveland has been called for a league-high 24 penalties after two games, five more than the next closest team.

After being whistled 11 times in the opener, the Browns were called for 13 last week, including three in a span of four plays as their self-inflicted errors pushed them out of field-goal range in the fourth quarter.

“We need to be better in that area,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “It’s hard to win. We don’t need to make it harder on ourselves.”

If there has been a weakness in the Giants defense under new coordinator Shane Bowen it’s been against the run. Opponents are averaging 163 yards through two games.

The Commanders rolled up 215 yards with Brian Robinson gaining a career-high 133.

Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke said tackling and filling the right gaps were part of the problem. He added some players, himself included, are trying to do too much.

“Talking about me specifically, kind of three quarters doing your job, a quarter trying to do someone else’s job, trying to make a play and that trickles down," he said. "Everybody just needs to focus on doing their job.”

AP Sports Writer Tom Canavan in East Rutherford, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts to a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates his one-yard touchdown run with offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani looked up at a visiting crowd that turned out to cheer him and the Los Angeles Dodgers — and ended up getting to witness one of the greatest individual performances, and seasons, in major league history.

Fans lifted their phones to capture the moment and chanted “M-V-P!” as Ohtani rounded the bases after he cleared the fence for the 50th time, becoming the first major league player with at least 50 home runs and and 50 stolen bases in a season.

The most amazing thing about it? Ohtani's day wasn't even finished.

Ohtani raced past the 50-50 milestone in the most spectacular game of his history-making career, becoming the first big league player to hit three homers and steal two bases in a game during a 20-4 rout of the Miami Marlins on Thursday that also secured a playoff spot for the Dodgers.

“I almost cried, to be honest,” Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “It was a lot of emotions because of everything that happens behind the scenes that we got to witness every single day.”

Los Angeles' $700 million Japanese superstar hit his 49th homer in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh and his 51st in the ninth. He finished 6 for 6 with 10 RBIs while becoming the first big league player to hit three homers and steal two bases in a game.

"It was something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible. And, you know, it’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani said through an interpreter in a televised interview.

Ohtani reached the second deck in right-center on two of his three homers at LoanDepot Park. In the sixth inning, he launched a 1-1 slider from George Soriano 438 feet for his 49th.

Ohtani hit his 50th homer in the seventh, an opposite-field, two-run shot to left against Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. Then, in the ninth, his 51st traveled 440 feet to right-center, a three-run shot against Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who came in to pitch with the game out of hand.

“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised,” Ohtani said. “I have no idea where this came from, but I’m glad that it was going well today.”

Ohtani came into the game with 48 homers and 49 steals. He took care of the stolen bases early, swiping his 50th in the first and his 51st in the second. He has been successful on his last 28 stolen base attempts.

He broke the Dodgers' franchise record of 49 homers set by Shawn Green in 2001. And he became the third player in major league history with at least six hits, three homers and 10 RBIs in a game, joining Cincinnati's Walker Cooper in 1949 and Washington's Anthony Rendon in 2017.

“THIS GUY IS UNREAL!!!” LeBron James posted on X.

Ohtani has 120 RBIs, trailing only Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees (53 homers, 136 RBIs) in both categories.

Ohtani reached the 50-50 milestone in his 150th game. He was already the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing just 126 games.

His previous career high in homers was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starts on the mound and won his first of two American League MVP awards.

It was another memorable night for Ohtani at LoanDepot Park, where he struck out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout of the United States for the final out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship while playing for Japan.

“I’ve had perhaps the most memorable moments here in my career," Ohtani said, "and this stadium has become one of my favorite stadiums.”

Already the consensus best player in baseball whose accomplishments as a pitcher and batter outpaced even Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive player while taking the year off from pitching.

Ohtani signed his $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December. The two-way star, who previously spent six years with the Los Angeles Angels, has played exclusively at designated hitter this season as he rehabilitates after surgery a year ago for an injured elbow ligament.

He finished a triple shy of the cycle on Thursday, adding a run-scoring single and two doubles. He was thrown out at third base while trying to stretch his second double into a triple.

“There’s nothing you really can say because there’s nothing anybody can do about it,” teammate and former MVP Mookie Betts said. “He’s just too good.”

First base was open when Ohtani came up to bat in the seventh, but Marlins manager Skip Schumaker decided against intentionally walking him with the Marlins trailing 11-3.

“If it was a tight game, one-run lead or we’re down one, I probably put him on,” Schumaker said. “Down that many runs, that’s a bad move baseball-wise, karma-wise, baseball god-wise. ... I think out of respect for the game, we were going to go after him. He hit the home run. That’s just part of the deal. He’s hit (51) of them. He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen.”

Preparation was a key to Ohtani becoming the first member of the 50-50 club. He regularly huddled with the team’s hitting coaches and studied video of opposing pitchers to understand their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.

“I see all the work he puts in,” catcher Will Smith said recently. “It’s not like he goes out there and it’s too easy for him. He works harder than anybody. He scouts really hard. He’s playing a different game so it’s fun to see.”

Ohtani appeared to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He increased the frequency of his base-stealing attempts, and in turn his success rate went up.

But that may not be the case next year when he returns to the mound.

“He’s not pitching this year so I think he is emptying the tank offensively,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I do think the power, the on-base (percentage), the average, I think he can do that as a pitcher. He’s done something pretty similar like that with his OPS. But as far as the stolen bases go, I’m not sure about that.”

Ohtani’s teammates have enjoyed watching him crush home runs and scamper around the bases.

“I’m honestly kind of trying to learn from him just seeing the way he goes about his day-to-day business. He’s very consistent, the same demeanor throughout,” outfielder Tommy Edman said recently. “I think that’s why he’s such a good player.”

Third baseman Max Muncy added, “Every night I feel like he does something that we haven’t seen.”

What’s next for Ohtani?

The Dodgers are headed to the postseason in October, which will be another first for Ohtani. He never made it there with the Angels, who never had a winning record during his tenure in Anaheim.

Another potential first could be earning National League MVP honors as a designated hitter. No player who got most of his playing time as a DH — without pitching — has ever won MVP, although Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz placed high in the vote.

It would be Ohtani’s third career MVP award.

AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, hits a home run, scoring Max Muncy and Chris Taylor, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, of Japan, watches the ball as he hits a home run, scoring Max Muncy and Chris Taylor, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, smiles at teammates as he does a postgame interview after a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) waves to fans after he hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) waves to fans after he hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) of Japan, steals third base, for his 50th stolen base of the season, as Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby was late with the tag during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) of Japan, steals third base, for his 50th stolen base of the season, as Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby attempts the tag during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) looks up after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, left, congratulates Shohei Ohtani (17) after Ohtani hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run scoring Andy Pages off of Miami Marlins pitcher George Soriano (62) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)