The (2-3) New York Giants welcome the (1-4) Cincinnati Bengals to Metlife stadium with unexpected momentum and a sense of hope for the season. It’s a bit unusual for us to describe a team that started out at 0-2 and also went 1-1 over the past two games to be described as having momentum, but here we are.
The Giants beat the Browns in Week 3. They lost to the Cowboys in Week 4 even though they edged them out in time of possession and first downs. And they beat the Seahawks on the road in Week 5 in dramatic fashion, blocking a field goal and returning for a touchdown.
Each week they’ve looked better than the last, including their starting QB’s accuracy and with missing their top receiver for their most recent game.
However, don’t let the Bengals 1-4 record fool you – they are not an easy team to beat. The Bengals have still scored an average of 28 points per game, showing their offense is one of the best in the league. Can the Giants keep up? Here are the key players for a Giants victory.
*Just after publishing, both Devin Singletary and Malik Nabers were ruled out of this contest.
Key Players for the Giants
Say what you want about Daniel Jones, but he played well in Week 5, finally fixing his accuracy issues and making good decisions. Every week he’s improved; and as long as he’s able to move the ball effectively, the Giants have a shot at winning the game. They still need to get better at converting in the red zone, but the upward trajectory of Jones’ play can’t be denied.
We’re still awaiting word on if Malik Nabers will come back from a concussion that knocked him out of Week 4 and kept him on the sidelines in Week 5. If he’s able to clear for Sunday night’s game, it would be a big boon for the offense considering he’s been playing lights out all year and can keep it going against a below average Bengals defense.
According to Art Stapleton, Coach Daboll said that Nabers is progressing through the concussion protocol and has a shot at playing this week.
Other receivers on the roster have been making an impact as well.
Wan’Dale Robinson continues to be their short range and slot receiver. He’s accumulated 23 targets over the past two weeks going for 17 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, and remains an integral part of the offense. He still struggles with drops, however, and has missed on key plays.
Darius Slayton has also been an integral part of the offense. Filling in for Nabers against Seattle, he accumulating eight catches, 122 yards, and a touchdown. If Nabers comes back this game, Slayton will still be useful as he has a connection with Jones and helps him spread the ball around.
The Bengals defense is especially weak against the run; and as such the running backs will be key to winning the matchup as well. Devin Singletary is working his way back from a groin injury, and it remains to be seen if he’s ready to suit up. If not, they will turn to Tryone Tracy Jr. again, who exploded for 129 yards on 18 carries in Week 5 and will most likely remain a key part of the offense even if Singletary returns. Running the ball effectively would be a huge to the offense and key in winning the game.
The Giants defense has been playing well as of late, with DC Shane Bowen effectively disguising coverages and stifling opposing schemes. They have the most sacks in the league, and if they can continue to get at the quarterback they can win this game.
Big Blue did get some bad news this week. Unfortunately it looks like Kayvon Thibodeaux will miss a few weeks after having surgery on his wrist due to a broken bone. That will leave others like Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence to pick up the slack. Hopefully they can continue to get pressure against one of the league’s best offenses without one of their key players.
One of the bright spots for the defense in Week 5 was Deonte Banks, who effectively shut DK Metcalf down and continued to make plays all game. Players like Cor’Dale Flott, Tyler Nubin, and Dru Phillips have been stepping up and are continuing to be a positives for the defense. If they can keep up their good play, they have a shot at limiting the Bengals offense.
Key Players for the Bengals
Leading one of the best offenses in the NFL, star quarterback Joe Burrow will be a key player in this matchup, along with his top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Chase has proven himself to be one of the best receivers in the game and can score from anywhere, including a 70-yard touchdown run off a short pass in Week 4. Higgins also remains a key target for Burrow, getting 14 targets and two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Ravens. The Giants defense will be busy all day attempting to shut down these top tier receivers.
Chase Brown and Zach Moss are seemingly in a committee at the running back position. However, Moss is dealing with an ankle injury and his status is in question. If he’s unable to go, Brown would most likely be the primary back. The Giants run defense has much improved on the year since Week 1 and Brown will be up against it, but he had some success against the stout Ravens run defense and could do it again here.
The Bengals defense has struggled all year, ranking last in points allowed per game and third-worst in points per drive. They rank No. 19 in passing defense and No. 30 in rushing yards allowed per game. Scoring 28 points per game has been negated by them allowing 29 points per game, hence their abysmal record.
Daniel Jones has been a serviceable QB in the last few games, but the offense still struggles in the red zone. If the Bengals defense can keep him out of the end zone, they have a good shot at winning the game.
Keys To A Giants Victory
The Bengals have a good offense but a bad defense. As long as the Giants can increase their red zone conversion rate, they have a shot at winning the game.
The Bengals are more susceptible on the ground than through the air, so leaning on Tracy Jr. and Singletary (if he plays) would be smart. Tracy Jr. had a great game against the Seahawks, so this strategy has a good shot at being effective.
Nabers and Slayton will be key in getting chunk plays, with Robinson working in short yardage to get must needed first downs when necessary. Jones has been connecting with his receivers better and better each week, and if it continues they have a good shot at putting up more points than the Bengals potent offense.
Controlling the time-of-possession will be key as well, and something they’ve been doing effectively over the past few games. Keep the ball out of Burrow’s hands for as long as possible and limit them from being able to match the point total.
On defense, if the Giants get pressures and sacks on the quarterback. This has been effective at disrupting opposing offenses and keeping them off the field. Hopefully Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns can get some sacks and rattle Burrow enough to limit their upside.
Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, and Tyler Nubin will be busy keeping Chase and Higgins in check. If they are as successful as they were against the Seahawks receivers, they can keep the Bengals out of the end zone and win the game.
Can the Giants pull off another upset victory? We’ll find out Sunday night.
Evan Solomon
Evan is originally from Queens, NY and grew up on Long Island, and grew to love The New York Giants being surrounded by Giants fans. He's a social media marketer and content creator by day, which is what led him to joining The League Winners creating content about something he loves - football. Keep an eye out for his fantasy content and NFL team breakdowns.