N.y. Giants Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals Picks and Predictions October 13th 2024

Underperforming Bengals Must Not Falter Against Injured Giants

As two squads striving to reclaim their seasons gear up for battle, the New York Giants are set to welcome the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday evening in East Rutherford, N.J. Both franchises have encountered considerable challenges early on, yet while the Giants (2-3) are buoyed by a vital road triumph against the Seattle Seahawks, the Bengals (1-4) are still grappling with a series of letdowns.

Giants Seeking .500 Performance

The Giants return home following a 29-20 victory over the Seahawks, aiming to even their record and achieve a .500 status for the season. They delivered a season-high performance in Seattle, accumulating 420 total yards while limiting the Seahawks to their lowest scoring output of the year. New York’s defense has been a noticeable strength, permitting just 20.8 points per game thus far, and the offense seems to be hitting its stride.

Nonetheless, the Giants are contending with significant injuries that could hinder their efforts to gain traction. Star outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is out for an indeterminate period after wrist surgery. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has been in the concussion protocol, is showing improvement but remains a day-to-day evaluation.

On the offensive front, running back Devin Singletary was a restricted member practically speaking recently in the wake of missing the Seattle game because of a crotch injury. Lead trainer Brian Daboll expressed that Singletary is “gaining ground” and could get back to the field on Sunday night, giving a vital lift to the Giants’ hurrying game.

Protective tackle Dexter Lawrence has been a prevailing presence on safeguard, recording six sacks north of five games, the most by a Giants player at this crossroads beginning around 2011.

“It’s no easy task,” Daboll remarked about Lawrence’s impact, observing that opponents have turned to double- and triple-teaming him. “There were occasions last week where three players were on him. … We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Bengals Longing for a Victory

Conversely, the Bengals find themselves in a precarious state at 1-4, struggling to establish footing in a season that many anticipated would be far more fruitful. They enter this contest following a gut-wrenching 41-38 overtime defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, a match where they maintained three separate 10-point leads in the second half but allowed each to slip away.

Despite a remarkable individual display from quarterback Joe Burrow, who achieved a career-high five touchdown passes, the Bengals couldn’t hold onto their lead. Burrow concluded the game completing 30 of 39 passes for 392 yards and a 137.0 passer rating, connecting with key receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for two touchdowns each. However, a late-game interception from Burrow and a miss on special teams—where the holder mishandled a snap on a potential game-winning 53-yard field goal in overtime—sealed their fate.

Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor understands that his team must concentrate solely on this week’s confrontation against the Giants to revamp their season.

“We’re five games into the season,” Taylor stated. “I’m cognizant of the chatter. We’re 1-4, and we must take responsibility for all of that. It’s insufficient. We possess too much talent to be in this predicament.”

Taylor stressed the need to focus rather than looking ahead, honing in on the Giants.

“How do we overcome the New York Giants? How do we have a successful week, and how do we return to winning ways? If you observe the AFC, there are numerous opportunities ahead, and we simply need to capitalize on them,” Taylor noted.

Bengals’ Offensive Promise

Despite their pitfalls, the Bengals have demonstrated offensive productivity, scoring 30 or more points in their last three games. They currently rank tied for fourth in the NFL in scoring (28 points per game), ninth in total offense (359 yards per game), and fifth in passing offense (263 yards per game). Burrow and his receiving crew remain among the league’s most potent combinations, and if the Bengals’ defense can uphold its responsibilities, they possess the capability to outscore nearly any opponent.

However, defensive lapses have plagued Cincinnati, and they will require a more comprehensive performance on both ends of the field if they hope to prevent the Giants from gaining momentum in front of their home crowd.

Giants’ Diverse Offense

For the Giants, their triumph over Seattle highlighted the diverse offense they’ve been striving to establish all season. Quarterback Daniel Jones has managed games effectively, while the offense has profited from essential contributions from wide receivers and a more consistent ground attack.

New York’s capacity to control the rhythm and play sound guard could give them a benefit over a Cincinnati group that has attempted to protect leads. Dexter Lawrence’s capacity to upset Cincinnati’s hostile line will be key, as the Giants hope to restrict Tunnel’s capacity to expand plays and find his receivers downfield.

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Key Matchup and Series History

The Giants’ safeguard, drove by Lawrence, will be entrusted with containing Tunnel and the Bengals’ strong passing assault. On the other side, the Bengals’ protection needs to move forward and finish off games — a test that has tormented them all through the season. On the off chance that Cincinnati can return to essentials protectively and stay away from the psychological blunders that have cost them leads, they ought to have the option to exploit the Giants’ physical issue issues.

By and large, the Bengals hold a slight edge in the series, driving 6-5 through 11 games. The Giants, nonetheless, won the latest gathering 19-17 in Cincinnati back in 2020. Curiously, that game was the main time in the last 11 experiences that the opposing group has left away with a triumph, a pattern the Bengals desire to switch on Sunday night.

What’s In question

For the Bengals, Sunday’s down is basic. Sitting at 1-4, they can’t manage the cost of another misfortune to stay in the discussion for a season finisher spot. A triumph could give a truly necessary spirit lift and assist with turning their season around before it’s past the point of no return.

For the Giants, a success would get them back to .500 and keep them in the chase in the NFC. While they are managing key wounds, areas of strength for an at home could give them the certainty they need to continue to gather speed as the season progresses.

With the two groups frantic to get their seasons on target, Sunday night’s matchup vows to be a hard-faced conflict between two clubs with a lot to demonstrate.