Who’s going to win on Sunday Night Football?
The New York Giants return to MetLife Stadium to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football.
On paper, this is a matchup between two teams who are trying to avoid a disastrous season. The Giants are 2-3 following a stunning special teams play to upset the Seahawks, while the Bengals have fallen to 1-4 following a special teams gaffe that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
So will the Giants climb to .500 on the season, or will the Bengals put the breaks on their early-season skid?
Tony DelGenio
Fun but irrelevant fact: In 54 years of inter-conference play, the Giants have faced the Bengals at home only four times, all Giants wins by 7 points or less. Not-so-fun but relevant fact: Joe Burrow is a top five NFL quarterback, maybe top 3. Burrow fares almost as well with pressure as from a clean pocket and blitzes have little effect on him. Fortunately, Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has seen him in each of the past three seasons. I’ll guess that he will drop seven into coverage most of the time, bracket elite wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase as much as possible, and hope that Cor’Dale Flott or Adoree’ Jackson can handle Tee Higgins. Whether he can make it work may decide the outcome.
The Bengals’ defense is why Cincinnati is 1-4. They are a terrible tackling team and their pass rush has been lacking except for Trey Hendrickson. The secondary is not as good as Seattle’s; look for the Giants to try to pick on cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (three TDs surrendered) and S Geno Stone (two TDs surrendered). The strength of the defense is at inside linebacker, where Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt are strong against the run. That means that Daniel Jones will have to defy my assertion that he doesn’t like playing at home and carve the Bengals’ D up through the air. Having Malik Nabers would help, but he did fine without him last week.
Pick: Giants
Chris Pflum
I don’t think the Giants are nearly as bad as they looked against the Minnesota Vikings, nor are they quite as good as they looked against the Seattle Seahawks.
I also don’t think Cincy is nearly as bad as their 1-4 record would suggest either. Their offense has turned into one of the most efficient in the NFL, and their defense has had to contend with Pat Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jayden Daniels — two perennial MVP candidates and a rookie who’s getting MVP chatter.
The Bengals have had the second-most efficient offense in the NFL and so far Joe Burrow is playing the best football of his career — he’s at a career high in completion percentage, adjusted net yards per attempt, touchdown rate, interception rate and sack rate.
This game will probably come down to which team can get off the field when they need to, or finish a drive when they need to. Right now, I’m not sure the Giants can slow Cincy’s offense enough to keep the pressure of their own offense.
Ultimately, I’m going to go with the Bengals because I think they’re a team with championship experience in desperation mode.
Pick: Bengals
Nick Falato
The Giants COOKED last week in Seattle and returned to MetLife for a prime time matchup against the 1-4 Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow and Co. have seen better days, but their four losses are by a collective 15 points. They’re playing in close games, and the ball hasn’t entirely bounced their way.
Still, the offense recovered from their initial slow start. They’ve scored over 30 points in their last three matchups; they scored 25 against the Chiefs in a 26-25 Week 2 loss. They currently rank in the top in yards gained, top five in points scored, and fifth overall in passing yards per game.
Lou Anarumo’s defense is not the defense from their 2021 Super Bowl run. They rank 31st in points against, 26th in yards allowed, and they’re 30th in rushing yards allowed per game. They’re 19th in passing yards allowed per game. The Giants should be able to run the football against this front.
Cincinnati started last season slowly, with a 1-3 record, before winning four in a row. They then lost a close one to Houston, and quarterback Joe Burrow was lost for the season the following week. I really want to go with New York here, and it’s very plausible they win; this victory in prime time against an offense like the Bengals — after defeating Seattle on the road — could be the spark that effectuates a significant change with the Giants franchise. The Giants will play well, but I’m going with Cincinnati.
Pick: Bengals
David Hartman
Last week, I continued my trend of picking the wrong side and I’m now 1-4 with my Giants’ picks. So whoever I pick, you should go the other way if you want to make some bank. The Giants have been unpredictable, and all of their games other than the home opener with the Vikings were up for grabs in the fourth quarter. They return home after a rousing road win in Seattle to face a 1-4 Bengals team that is desperate. With Joe Burrow in the fold, Cincinnati has been one of the AFC’s powers, and with a loss this week their postseason aspirations would be all but dashed and especially in their tough division.
After Losing a shocker to New England in Week 1, Burrow and the Bengals’ offense have been on fire, but their defense really has let them down. They dropped a heartbreaker in a shootout with the Ravens last week (41-38) and their beleaguered secondary took a big hit with starting CB Dayton Hill suffering a season-ending ACL tear in the game.
The Giants may or may not have Malik Nabers back for this game. Darius Slayton stepped up in his stead and I’m confident in his ability to do so again if needed. Lou Anarumo’s defense hasn’t had any answers the past few weeks and I think the Giants’ balanced attack can cause problems for them. Both teams are going to be scoring on Sunday night, and I’m hesitant to pick the Giants in a shootout with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and especially with Kayvon Thibodeaux out after having wrist surgery. Both defenses could have major problems getting off the field.
I want the Giants to win and I think they can, so I’ll take the Bengals, all but ensuring a Giant victory in prime time. And if I may, let’s go Mets!
Pick: Bengals
Valentine’s View
I have gone back-and-forth on this one all week. I am honestly still not sure I am comfortable with the pick I am about to make.
On one hand, the Bengals have a prolific offense that is fourth in the league in points scored. Cincinnati has scored 33 or more points in each of its last three games. Can the Giants slow down Joe Burrow & Co.? If they can’t, can a team that has yet to score a touchdown at home this season possibly score enough points to keep up?
On the other hand, the Giants have won two of three and played what might have been their best game since 2022 in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants have rushed the passer well, even though they will be without Kayvon Thibodeaux. If Tae Banks plays well, the secondary is showing signs of being better than given credit for. The Bengals have an atrocious defense that is 31st in the league, so the Giants should be able to move the ball.
There are the MetLife Stadium and prime time factors to consider. The Giants are 0-2 at home this year. During the Daniel Jones/Dexter Lawrence/Darius Slayton era they are 2-17 in prime time games.
So, what to do?
I am going to be an optimist. I am going to believe that things have to turn eventually for the Giants. Last Sunday’s victory over Seattle gave 2022 vibes. I will choose to drink the Kool-Aid, while well aware that the New York Football Giants are always capable of making me spit it back up.
Pick: Giants
