The New York Giants defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 25-23, on Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium to remain undefeated in the preseason.
Despite the league-wide trend of sitting the starting units during the preseason, both the Giants and the Bengals had the majority of their first-team units on the field to start the game.
Getting the start in what is likely his final preseason game before the regular season, quarterback Eli Manning led a 15-play drive that resulted in a 41-yard field goal from Aldrick Rosas. Manning was 4-for-8 for 41 yards and a 65.1 passer rating.
Rookie and No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones then stepped in for Manning with the first-team offense—sans Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard. He was strong yet again in his third preseason game.
Jones was 9-for-11 for 141 yards and a 118.8 passer rating. He showed some nice touch on some deep throws while also showing some solid pocket mobility when pressure was applied. He led a scoring drive that that resulted in a Rod Smith touchdown.
Running back Jonathan Hillman scored a rushing touchdown while return man Brittan Golden took a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also muffed a punt on his next try.
Wayne Gallman led the backfield with eight carries for 31 yards. Golden led the wide receiver corps with two catches on four targets for 59 yards.
Cornerback Corey Ballentine led the defense with seven tackles (five solo). Rookie edge rusher Oshane Ximines recorded two sacks while Josiah Tauaefa and Sean Chandler recorded a sack.
The Giants wrap up the preseason on Thursday, Aug. 29, with a road trip to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots.
