Stock up, down after New York Giants’ 17-7 loss to Cincinnati Bengals

The ebbs and flows of quarterback Daniel Jones are long past tiresome. The enigma is far from entertaining at this point and Sunday’s performance is another example of why. DJ had been one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks over the past month but you would’ve never known that against the Bengals. He was back to making bad decisions, including an attempt to throw while being hit in the red zone leading to an interception. At a minimum, that cost the Giants three points. It’s maddening.

A healthy Azeez Ojulari is a very good player. He always has been and he always will be so long as he can remain on the football field. In the absence of fellow linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (IR), Ojulari stepped up to the plate and responded with his best game in years, including 2.0 sacks and an NFL-leading six total pressures. He was also in on a forced fumble, although scorers credited that to Bobby Okereke.

Why? Why, why, why can’t the Giants just find some level of consistency at kicker and on special teams? Greg Joseph, replacing the injured Graham Gano, missed two fourth quarter field goals, including one that would have tied the game. His inaccuracy made head coach Brian Daboll uncomfortable enough to pass on a 54-yard attempt. Had Joseph made those two kicks and Jones not thrown an ugly pick, the Giants would have had +9 on the scoreboard (17-16) and that 54-yard kick that wasn’t could have been the difference in the game.

Linebacker Brian Burns was overshadowed by Ojulari on Sunday night but deserves the very same praise. In Thibodeaux’s absence, he had his breakout game in a Giants uniform, recording two tackles for a loss, two QB hits, one sack, and four total pressures. This is what general manager Joe Schoen had in mind when he traded for Burns and then signed him to a massive contract.

A lack of opportunity can no longer be blamed for Jalin Hyatt’s struggles. The second-year wide receiver has taken 112 offensive snaps over the past two weeks, resulting in one catch for six yards on four targets. Even the argument that he’s not being targeted enough holds little water as Hyatt has been bullied at the line and physically removed from his designed routes. He is not developing the way the Giants had hoped.

This spot could have easily gone to Dexter Lawrence (once again) or perhaps even Cor’Dale Flott, but Tyrone Tracy’s emergence isn’t something that should be swept under the rug. Yes, he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on Sunday night which is far from enough, but that wasn’t entirely his burden to shoulder. The offensive line struggled. More importantly, Tracy displayed the impressive versatility that excited the Giants when selected him in the 2024 NFL draft. He can line up at wide receiver and exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties, and he’s got sure hands. He hauled in all six of his targets for 57 yards, leading the team. He also scored his first NFL touchdown.