Instant Analysis: Giants fall to Bengals, 17-7

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

Once again, the Giants played without their top receiver and rusher. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was still the NFL leader in receptions entering Week 6, missed his second consecutive game since suffering a concussion against the Cowboys on Sept. 26. Running back Devin Singletary, meanwhile, was limited in practice this week with a groin injury and was eventually downgraded to out.

Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr., a fifth-round draft pick, ran for 129 yards on 18 carries in his first career start last Sunday. It was tougher sledding against Cincinnati, who held him and fellow running back Eric Gray to 10 yards on five carries in the first half. Tracy got going after the break, however, and finished with 50 yards and his first NFL touchdown on 17 rushing attempts. The converted wide receiver also tied Darius Slayton for the team lead in receptions (six) and receiving yards (57).

The Giants were unsuccessful on their first trip to the red zone, where Daniel Jones threw an interception to linebacker Germaine Pratt. Jones was hit by former Giants defensive lineman B.J. Hill as he attempted to throw the ball away on the play.

Jones finished 22 of 41 for 205 yards and the interception while being sacked twice.

With a Giants takeaway in between, Brian Daboll kept the offense on the field for a pair of fourth-and-two situations from their own territory on back-to-back possessions to start the second half. On the first attempt from the Giants 38, cornerback Mike Hilton deflected a pass intended for wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

After Micah McFadden got the ball back for the Giants, Tracy took a pitch from Jones and gained four yards for a successful conversion. Tracy kept the drive alive with another fourth down conversion before punching in a one-yard touchdown run for the Giants’ first points of the game with 5:48 left in the third quarter. The play was set up by an 18-yard pass interference penalty drawn by Darius Slayton in the end zone.

The fourth down drama didn’t end there. After the Bengals retook the lead, Jones converted a fourth-and-short on a quarterback sneak early in the fourth quarter. It led to a potential game-tying field goal attempt, which Greg Joseph missed wide left with 10:27 left in the fourth quarter.

Overall, the Giants were 5 of 15 on third down conversions and 3 of 5 on fourth down. The final fourth down attempt was thwarted by Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II on a pass intended for Darius Slayton. Cincinnati took over on downs with 3:01 to play and a 10-7 lead.

Cincinnati’s defense had allowed 29.0 points per game before Sunday, second-most in the league.