Cincinnati Bengals 31 – New York Giants 13

Bengals Crush Giants 31-13: The Cincinnati Bengals crushed the New York Giants 31-13 earlier today at Paul Brown Stadium. With the loss, the Giants fall to 6-4 heading into their bye week.

Statistically, the game was close as the Giants held advantages in first downs (21 to 15), total offensive plays (70 to 58), total net yards (318 to 275), and net yards rushing (129 to 76). Net yards passing and time of possession were almost identical. But there was another big punt return allowed by the Giants this week and the offense turned the football over four times.

The Bengals led 17-6 at halftime. The Giants only gained one first down and 23 yards on their first two possessions. The Giants had to settle for a short field goal after recovering a fumble on a punt return at the Cincinnati 27-yard line. After another three-and-out, the Giants finished the first half with a 14-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in another field goal by PK Lawrence Tynes.

Meanwhile, the Bengals scored two touchdowns on their first two possessions. They drove 79 yards in five plays to start the game to go up 7-0 with the big pass being a 56-yard touchdown strike from QB Andy Dalton to WR A.J. Green. After a three-and-out by the Giants, a 68-yard punt return set the Bengals up on the Giants’ 11-yard line. Three plays later, on 3rd-and-10, Dalton threw his second touchdown for a 14-0 advantage.

The Bengals did turn the football over on downs on their third possession of the first half, but their final drive resulted in a 15-play, 60-yard drive that added a 28-yard field goal.

The second half was a disaster for the Giants. On the Giants’ first six possessions of the second half, they went three-and-out, turned the football over on downs once, and turned the football four other times (two interceptions by QB Eli Manning, a fumble by Manning, and a fumble by HB Ahmad Bradshaw). The Giants only touchdown came on their last drive when the game was out of reach 31-6.

The Bengals only picked up four first downs and 62 net yards in the second half of the game, but two interceptions by Manning set up the Bengals on the Giants’ 12 and 16 yard lines. The Bengals turned those two turnovers into 14 more points and a commanding 31-6 lead in the third quarter. Game over.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 29-of-46 for 215 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. WR Hakeem Nicks caught nine passes for 75 yards. WR Victor Cruz was held to three passes for 26 yards. Bradshaw carried the football 10 times for 57 yards while HB Andre Brown carried the ball seven times for 65 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, the Giants did not pick up one sack or force one turnover.

Lowlights of the game are available at NFL.com.

Injury Report: WR Domenik Hixon and S Tyler Sash both left the game with ankle injuries.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference is available at Giants.com.

Post-Game Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of the following player media Q&As after the game are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• WR Victor Cruz (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• LB Chase Blackburn (Video)
• CB Corey Webster (Video)

Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were WR Jerrel Jernigan, TE Adrien Robinson, DE Adewale Ojomo, DT Marvin Austin, LB Jacquian Williams (knee), LB Keith Rivers (calf), and S Kenny Phillips (knee).

Giants Activate Hill to 53-Man Roster; Place Coe on IR: On Saturday, the Giants’ activated safety Will Hill to the 53-man roster from the Reserve/Suspended List. To make room for Hill, the Giants placed CB Michael Coe (hamstring) on Injured Reserve.