Bengals @ Giants
Final Score: Bengals 17 – Giants 7
Writer: Darian Hudock (@DarianQB_List)
During the 3rd quarter of Sunday night’s game, the play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico commented “Kind of a weird game huh” and I could not have said it better. After an early score on a 38-yard scamper from Joe Burrow, the game went silent leading to a 7-0 score at half. Immediately after the half, the Giants made a strange decision to go for it on fourth down from their 38-yard line and turned the ball over. However, that didn’t matter as the Bengals fumbled three plays later! The Giants tied the game 7-7 but were unable to stop the Bengals’ offense from scoring again despite creating constant pressure against Burrow. Ultimately the Giants’ offense and kicking team sputtered out and fell short, turning the ball over on downs and missing two field goals over the team’s final three drives. In a game with a 45.5 point over/under, the lack of offense was shocking but made for an exciting if not strange game.
Three Up
- Tee Higgins – Third week in a row he’s led the team in targets, looks like the first option
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. – Great footwork and receiving ability, performed well enough to earn time moving forward
- Chase Brown – Took over the backfield and out-touched Zach Moss 12-7
Three Down
- Andre Iosivas – Obvious third option behind Chase and Higgins
- Zach Moss – Gave up work to Brown
- Jaylin Hyatt – Couldn’t produce anything despite the increased opportunity
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: 19/28, 208 Yards, 4 Rushes, 55 Yards, 1 TD
Joe Burrow getting sacked four times, no surprise there. Burrow’s 38-yard rushing touchdown…okay there’s some surprise warranted for that. Burrow did what he could in this game, frequently showing impressive mobility inside and out of the pocket. His first quarter rushing touchdown was particularly impressive as it saw Burrow read the offense and instantly tuck into an untouched walk-in score. As a passer he was predictably impressive, focusing heavily on star wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’marr Chase to move the ball down the field. While the box score may look a little weak, Burrow desperately needs help from his offensive line moving forward.
Running Back
Chase Brown: 10 Rushes, 53 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
It appears a change has occurred in the Cincinnati backfield. While it could be due to Zach Moss’ potentially injured ankle, Moss carried no injury designation into Sunday night’s game. Chase Brown started the game and out-touched Moss on the ground and through the air. A 30-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining to make it a one-score game inflated his rushing numbers, but Brown also had a two-yard touchdown called back due to a penalty earlier in the game. Brown’s usage in this offense cannot be ignored moving forward.
Zach Moss: 6 Rushes, 13 Yards, 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
For the first time this season, Moss wasn’t the lead back in Cincy’s backfield. He still was used in obvious passing situations however he was often a blocker. The Giants’ defensive line was living behind the line Sunday night, and no running lanes were available to Moss. If the 7-12 split with Brown continues, Moss will plummet in his usability as a fantasy asset.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 72 Yards
From the moment the opening whistle rang, the Giants made it clear they wanted to restrict Ja’Marr Chase’s ability to beat them. Double-teamed on almost every play in the first half, going into the break, it appeared Chase was going to have a quiet game. They couldn’t keep him down for long, with Chase catching a 33-yard reception on a broken play that saw him and Burrow seemingly mind-meld to open up the defense. Chase remains one of the most dangerous players in the NFL with the ball in his hands, and his place in the Bengals’ offense keeps him as one of the best fantasy options to exist.
Tee Higgins: 7 Targets, 7 Receptions, 77 Yards
Lucky week for Tee Higgins. For the third straight week, Higgins has led the Bengals in targets, frequently being looked to as the first option in close-to-the-line routes where he can use his frame to body out defenders. Higgins also showed multiple times Sunday night his strong hands in traffic, constantly catching the ball regardless of how the defender was playing him. The Bengals look like a completely different team with him on the field, and he is making the most of his opportunity thus far in 2024.
Andre Iosivas: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 36 Yards
If fantasy managers had hopes of Andre Iosivas becoming a consistent target earner in this offense it appears they will have to wait one more week, if not more, to have their hopes come true. For the majority of the game, Yoshi was quiet. His lone big play came on a roll-out connection with Burrow to set up the game-icing touchdown. It is worth noting that Burrow seems to look for Iosivas in the red zone, with his uncaught target coming in the end zone.
Eric All Jr.: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards
While his day was relatively quiet, the big news was the rookie’s use at the top of the tight end depth chart. His large frame allows him to play snaps in multiple situations, and if he can keep this snap rate up it could lead to sneaky fantasy success.
Mike Geisicki: What are stats? ZERO EVERYTHING
He was on the field, but the most memorable moment of his night was Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns blowing past him in roughly 0.5 seconds for a sack. Fellow tight end Eric All appears to have taken over the prominent receiving tight end role.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 22/41, 205 Yards, 1 INT, 11 Rushes, 57 Yards
A typical Daniel Jones game. Jones displayed inconsistent accuracy and decision-making skills. He failed to connect on multiple easy routes early in the game and struggled to rebound. Where Jones excelled as always was when running the ball. Jones remains a constant threat on the ground, both in broken plays and in designed quarterback runs. Hopefully, the return of his rookie star wide receiver can help get Jones back to where he was the last couple of weeks.
Running Back
Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 17 Rushes, 50 Yards, 1 TD, 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 57 yards
In his second week filling in for the injured Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy once again impressed both running the ball and in pass-catching situations. While running the ball he displayed smooth moves working behind his line to find blocks. The passing game is where Tracy really shined, showing his background as a wide receiver consistently throughout the night. When faced with tacklers one-on-one, Tracy can get both feet off the ground simultaneously before making a cut, something frequently seen in elite route runners. Tracy did a great job proving he should remain a focal point of the offense even when Singletary returns from injury.
Eric Gray: 3 Rushes, 13 Yards
Gray only saw the field to offer Tracy a breather and was unable to make any significant plays in the opportunities he was given.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Darius Slayton: 11 Targets, 6 Receptions, 57 Yards
Darius Slayton was New York’s most impactful player on the offense Sunday night, though that isn’t saying much. The only exciting play of the game for the Giants came from Slayton on a 56-yard catch and run. Unfortunately, that play was called back due to a penalty, leaving the Giants without much to be excited about. Slayton did showcase great speed and strong hands in coverage, things that will be important as he looks to maintain his role in a receiver corps that is going to be adding a very hungry mouth soon.
Wan’Dale Robinson: 11 Targets, 5 Receptions, 50 Yards
From the start, it appeared Jones was slightly off with his normally steady target in Wan’Dale Robinson. On the first two throws his way, despite Robinson being open, Jones’s ball placement was nowhere close to being catchable. As the game proceeded, Robinson was able to catch some underneath routes and create some PPR value but was unable to break away from tacklers for a big play. Another game with a 27% target share will give fantasy managers hope for Robinson moving forward, especially with Malik Nabers coming back soon to help take the team’s attention off him.
Theo Johnson: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards
Theo Johnson is not a focal point of this offense. He was frequently used as a blocker and garnered few targets on the night. When targeted he was usable as a pass catcher but isn’t on fantasy radars at this point.
Jaylin Hyatt: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Despite the opportunity provided by rookie sensation Malik Nabers missing his second consecutive game, Jaylin Hyatt was unable to produce much of anything on Sunday night. His route participation was high, but he couldn’t seem to create separation despite his outstanding quickness and speed.