Still hunting playoffs, 3-7 Giants visit Burrow-less Bengals
COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) » Despite losing their first five games and starting 3-7, the New York Giants find themselves in a surprising playoff derby in the NFC East.
The Giants are in the thick of it and have already beaten divisional rivals Washington (4-7) twice, and split games with Philadelphia (3- 6-1).
Now they go on the road to face Cincinnati (2-7-1) on Sunday andare inposition to take advantage of the Bengals’ recent misfortune. Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season- ending knee injury in last week’s loss to Washington, and the Bengals are expected to start either practice-squad QB Brandon Allen or Ryan Finley, who seemed overwhelmed when he had to enter the game suddenly after the team’s franchise QB was carted off.
Before a bye week, the Giants beat the Eagles 27-7 after they squeaked by Washington 23-20. With six games to play, they’re trying not to
think about the possibility of the playoffs — yet.
“It’s kind of hard for us to look that far ahead ,” defensive end Leonard Williamsacknowledged “If we do something like that, we might mess around and overlook a team.”
The Giants realize it’s unusual for a team to start the way they did and not be dwelling in the divisional basement, playing out the games with eye on next season—like the Bengals.
“It’s a unique opportunity for us,” New York tight end Evan Engram said. “Yeah, it’s a lot of meaningful football for us. We’re heading into it with the right mindset, getting ready for it.”
The renewed energy and hope generated by Burrow’s exciting play in Cincinnati was extinguished when he was sandwiched between two Washington defenders after throwing a pass Sunday. His left knee was bent in an unnatural direction. It’s not an overstatement to say theteam was in shock.
“We don’t have any time to hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves,” Bengals secondyear coach Zac Taylor said.
CHANGING IT UP
This will be the Giants’ first game with Dave De Guglielmo in charge of the offensive line. Before the bye week, coach Joe Judge fired O-line assistant Marc Colombo. Judge wanted to hire DeGuglielmo as a consultant, and Colombo objected a little toomuch.
After a slow start, the young line has been performing well, particularly in establishing the running game. New York has gained at least 100 yards rushing in six of the last seven games.
GROUND DOWN
Cincinnati’s offense was forced to become even more one-dimensional after featured back Joe Mixon went out with a foot injury suffered in Week 6 against the Colts. His backup is the sturdy Giovani Bernard, known more for his reliable blocking and pass catching. He is questionable after dealing with a concussion.
Between Bernard and Samaje Perine, the Bengals managed just 37 yards on14 carries last week.