The New York Giants dropped to 2-4 on the season with a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, struggling to generate offense in a frustrating outing at MetLife Stadium. The loss, marked by missed opportunities and stalled drives, saw the Giants remain winless at home, dropping their record at MetLife Stadium to 0-3.
Head coach Brian Daboll, visibly frustrated in his post-game press conference, shouldered the blame for the offense’s inability to get on track. “We just didn’t score enough points offensively, and that starts with me,” Daboll said. “It’s hard to win games when you score seven points. That’s the reality of it.”
Burrow’s Record-Breaking Run Sets the Tone
The Bengals got on the board early, with quarterback Joe Burrow making history on a 47-yard touchdown run just over three minutes into the game. Burrow’s scramble, made possible by a breakdown in the Giants’ defense after Isaiah Simmons blitzed, was the longest touchdown run by a quarterback against the Giants since 1942.
“That early run hurt us,” Daboll admitted. “We missed the rush lane, and Burrow made a great play. Our defense played well after that, but that one stung.”
Despite the early miscue, the Giants’ defense kept them in the game. Burrow was held to 50 yards rushing and just 183 passing yards, while star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were limited to short gains. Linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Dexter Lawrence combined for three sacks, and the defense forced a key fumble in the third quarter to give the offense a chance.
Offensive Struggles Continue
The Giants’ offense, however, couldn’t take advantage of the defense’s solid effort. Daniel Jones completed 22 of 41 passes for 205 yards but failed to reach the end zone, throwing a costly interception in the red zone. Jones led the team in rushing with 56 yards on 11 carries, but the absence of a consistent running game hampered New York’s ability to sustain drives.
Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy scored his first NFL touchdown late in the third quarter, finishing with 50 yards on 17 carries. Wide receiver Darius Slayton had six catches for 57 yards, but big plays were hard to come by. The Giants’ longest pass play of the night was just 15 yards.
“We just couldn’t generate any explosive plays,” Daboll said. “Whether it was a run, pass, or penalty, we didn’t capitalize when we needed to. That’s on me and the coaching staff to figure out.”
The Giants’ third-down struggles were evident, as they converted just 5 of 15 attempts, a problem that has persisted throughout the season. Daboll acknowledged the difficulty in jumpstarting the offense, noting that the decision to go for it on fourth down during a key drive in the second half was a sign of the urgency they felt to make something happen.
“We needed points, plain and simple,” Daboll explained. “We were aggressive because I felt we had to be. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
Special Teams and Key Mistakes
The Giants’ kicking game also faltered, with veteran punter Jamie Gillan sidelined due to a hamstring injury. His replacement, Matt Haack, performed well in his Giants debut, averaging 46.8 yards per punt. However, kicker Greg Joseph missed two field goals, and the team committed a critical penalty that nullified a 60-yard gain to Darius Slayton.
On the long completion called back due to Andrew Thomas being downfield, Daboll explained the play’s design but accepted responsibility for the result. “It was an RPO (run-pass option). Andrew was blocking the run, but it’s my job to make sure we’re in the right situation there.”
Looking Ahead: Eagles Next on the Schedule
The Giants now face the daunting task of hosting the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles next week, with hopes of turning their season around. Daboll emphasized that the team needs to regroup quickly and clean up the issues that have plagued them.
“We’ve got to execute better, bottom line,” Daboll said. “The defense played well enough for us to win, but we’ve got to score more than seven points. We’ll get back to work this week and be ready for Philly.”
As the Giants continue to search for consistency on offense, they know a tough challenge awaits in the Eagles, who bring one of the league’s most balanced attacks to MetLife Stadium. With their season slipping away, the Giants need a turnaround, and fast.
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