10 things to watch in Giants vs. Bengals on SNF

Since Week 2, the Giants’ defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than 21 points. The Commanders, Browns, Cowboys, and Seahawks averaged just 19 points per game against the Giants, which over the full season would have the unit ranking eighth in the NFL. When you include the Week 1 loss, the Giants’ 20.8 points per game ranks 11^th in the league. The numbers look even better when you consider that those stats include defensive touchdowns scored by the Vikings and Seahawks.

The Giants’ pass rush came alive against the Seahawks, as the unit sacked Geno Smith seven times and finished with 24 total pressures, according to PFF. Leading the way was the team’s talented trio of Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Thibodeaux, who combined for 16 pressures and 4.5 sacks, including three from Lawrence alone.

Lawrence’s dominant start has helped the Giants rack up a league-leading 22 sacks over their first five games, two more than any other team and the second-most in franchise history through five weeks (26 in 1985). But the defense’s dominance goes beyond only sacks. According to analytics analyst Warren Sharp, the Giants lead the NFL in havoc rate, a stat that measures the rate of plays that result in sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions, tackles for loss or pass breakups.

Cincinnati ranks fourth in points scored and ninth in yards gained, led by their elite passing attack, while their third down offense, fourth down offense and red zone offense all rank within the top 5 in the NFL. This will serve as a good test for the Giants’ defense, who’s third down defense (No. 11), fourth down defense (No. 14) and red zone defense (No. 10) all rank inside the top half of the league.

With Devin Singletary sidelined last week due to a groin injury, Tyrone Tracy Jr. got his first expanded workload of his young NFL career. And the rookie running back certainly delivered. Tracy gained 129 yards on just 18 carries for an average of 7.2 yards per carry. According to NGS, Tracy generated a +47 rush yards over expected on Sunday, the most by a Giants running back since Week 11 of last season, aided by his four runs of 10+ yards.

“I would say the butterflies is something that is always going to happen on game day,” Tracy said after his breakout game. “I prepare the right way; I have people around me that help me prepare, help me throughout the week, help me with film study, knowing the backers, knowing the D-line. For me personally, when you get out there after that first snap, the butterflies need to go away. You have to stay focused, understand the game plan, and rely on your fundamentals and technique.”

It remains to be seen if Singletary, who was a limited participant at practice throughout the week, will return for the Week 6 matchup on Sunday Night Football. But whether or not the veteran is on the field against the Bengals, Tracy likely earned himself a role in the offense. The Bengals enter this week’s game ranked 30^th in the league with an average of 151.4 rushing yards allowed per game, as four of their five opponents have recorded 149 yards or more on the ground.

“I don’t think he surprised me,” assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said Thursday about Tracy’s performance. “He’s been putting in great work all through camp, since he’s gotten here really. He puts really good intent into the meeting rooms and on the practice field he tries to be as detailed as can be. And (Running Backs) Coach (Joel) Thomas has done a nice job of getting him up to speed. So, no, there’s no surprise there. He’s a good player and it’s a guy that we expect him to do what he does.”

With Nabers sidelined for last week’s game, the offense needed other players to step up. Enter Theo Johnson. The rookie tight end caught just three passes for 37 yards across his first four games. But against the Seahawks, the 6-foot-4 Johnson caught all five of his targets for 48 yards. Twenty-eight of those yards came after the catch, which ranked as the second-most on the team in Week 5.

“He brings, obviously, a big body presence in the middle of the field and even out wide, getting him matched up on some smaller defenders,” Jones said Wednesday about the rookie tight end. “We have a lot of confidence in him. I know there was something made about him not having as many opportunities early on, but we have a ton of confidence in him, and you saw on Sunday what he can do and his physicality, his size and strength in the middle of the field.”

“Theo is a young player and he’s continuing to grow each and every day,” Kafka added on Thursday. “You see it in the meeting rooms. He’s getting more comfortable with it. You see it on the practice field. I think the more opportunities that come his way, he’s going to make those plays. That’s really for any young player. You’re getting into what the NFL game is like. You’re getting more comfortable and more confident and Theo is doing that.”

The Bengals struggled to contain the Ravens’ tight ends last week. Mark Andrews registered four receptions for 55 yards, Isaiah Likely caught two touchdown passes, and even Charlie Kolar, the team’s No. 3 tight end, got into the action with three catches for 64 yards and a score.

This week’s game against the Bengals will be the toughest test to date for the Giants’ defense. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is playing like an MVP candidate through the first stretch of the season. Burrow has completed 72.3 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards, a league-high 12 touchdowns, and just two interceptions for a passer rating on the season of 113.6. Despite last week’s loss to the Ravens, the 27-year-old still completed 76.9 percent of his attempts for 392 yards, five touchdowns, and a 137.0 passer rating, all of which set new season-highs, although he did throw his second interception of the season.

The Bengals have one of the most talented wide receiver duos in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase ranks second in the league with 493 receiving yards, while his five receiving touchdowns are tied with Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans for the most in the NFL. He is coming off a breakout performance against the Ravens, in which he reeled in 10 passes for a whopping 193 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins missed the first two games of the season but returned in Week 3. The fifth-year wideout has started to get going over the last two weeks, catching six passes for 60 yards in Week 4 before pulling in nine receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns last week. Andre Iosivas, the team’s third receiver, has registered 12 receptions for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while Mike Gesicki, the starting tight end, has 17 receptions for 178 yards.

“They’re two different types of players, both outstanding at what they do,” Daboll said about Chase and Higgins. “They put Chase everywhere. He can take it from a one-yard pass, 80 yards. Over 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns, 34, whatever it may be. He’s as good as it gets. And then throw Higgins in there, who’s a top pick of the second round, who’s big. Even when he’s covered, he’s not covered. It’s very challenging. That’s why they put up so many points. When you add Burrow to the mix, who’s one of the premier passers in this league, it’s difficult.”

Cincinnati has a two-headed rushing attack, led by veteran Zack Moss. The fifth-year running back has carried the ball 57 times for 211 yards and two touchdowns while catching 15 passes for an additional 124 yards and a score. But not far behind Moss in terms of touches is Chase Brown, who has recorded 41 rush attempts for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Brown has also caught 10 passes for 39 yards and another touchdown. Moss injured his ankle in last week’s loss to the Ravens, so his status should be monitored throughout the week.

Moving over to the Cincinnati defense, everything starts up front with defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The veteran pass rusher leads the team with three sacks, three quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss, and has racked up 22 total pressures through five games. Hendrickson had a season-high seven total pressures on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson last week, according to PFF.

Elsewhere on the defense, defensive end Sam Hubbard has one sack and three quarterback hits, while linebacker Logan Wilson has a team-high 52 total tackles (29 solo) to go with his four quarterback hits. Linebacker Germaine Pratt is right behind Wilson with 51 total tackles (28 solo) and has a team-high two forced fumbles. Former Giant defensive tackle B.J. Hill just returned to game action last week after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury.