After dropping their preseason opener to the Cardinals, the Bengals flew to New York to take on the Giants in preseason game number two. The starters did not play in this one for the Bengals, as Zac Taylor continues to rest them. Cordell Volson was the only potential starter to play, as he continues to vye for the spot. However, the Giants did decide to play their starters for much of the first half. It was a good test for the Bengals reserves.
It was a slow start for both offences. The Giants were stuffed on 4th &1, the Bengals went three and out, and then Daniel Jones had his pass deflect off of the TE Bellinger’s hands and right to Daxton Hill who laid out for the interception.
On their second drive, the Bengals added a field goal. It was a 50 yarder for McPherson. However, the Giants did answer on their next drive. It was the David Sills show for the Giants, as he went for over 40 yards on the drive. It ended with a Corbin 2 yard TD run. The Bengals were then able to answer with a couple more field goals. The second one came after the Giants fumbled on the kickoff return, which set the Bengals up deep. The offence did stall out, but points were put on the board. 9-7 Bengals at the half.
The Bengals opened the scoring in the 2nd half. After Kwamie Lassiter made a couple of good catches early in the drive, Trayveon Williams got the majority of the touches to help lead the Bengals down the field. Williams capped off the drive with a 1 yard TD run. The Giants would add a field goal right at the start of the 4th quarter, making it 16-10 Bengals with just under 15 minutes left.
Later, Evan McPherson missed his first kick of the preseason, as his 58 yard attempt drifted wide. This set up the Giants with good field position. Driving down the field, an offensive pass interference call put the Giants in a 3rd & 14 situation. However, Davis Webb found Bachman open in the middle for a 16 yard gain. A couple of plays later, Webb found Bachman for a 22 yard TD. A successful 2 point conversion made the score 18-16 Giants.
On the next Bengals drive, Jake Browning spread the ball around a bit, involving Jacques Patrick, Kendric Pryor, Kwamie Lassiter, Scotty Washington, and Trent Irwin. They were able to work their way down the field, and had some help with a 15 yard pass interference call going their way. Cincinnati ended up on the 3 yard line. It was 2nd down, and Jacques Patrick was able to plunge it in for the score. Kwamie Lassiter dropped the pass on what would have been a successful 2 point conversion. With it being unsuccessful, the score remained 22-18 for the Bengals.
The Giants got the ball back, and in only three plays, Davis Webb had them close to midfield. Later in the drive, the Bengals had a chance to end it, with the Giants needing to convert on 4th & 1. However, Platzgummer ran the ball for a 3 yard gain. Shortly after, Webb found Bachman for another TD, making it 25-22 Giants.
Cincinnati got the ball back with 35 seconds left on the clock. Jake Browning was able to complete two 16 yard passes to Lassiter, putting the ball at the Giants 43 yard line. Unfortunately, a false start penalty pushed them back to the 48, and they were unable to recover. Attempting to get the yards back, a quick pass to Trenton Irwin was called. But the play never had a shot, as it was blown up immediately. Fox delivered a big hit on Irwin, causing him to fumble the ball. He also recovered it, ending the game. Giants win 25-22.
The Bengals return home next week to face the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason finale.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)