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Studs and duds from New York Giants’ Week 6 loss to Cincinnati Bengals

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The New York Giants had an opportunity to end their prolonged primetime slump on Sunday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals but instead, wilted as they usually do under the bright lights — especially at MetLife Stadium.

Not only did the Giants fail to generate any notable offense against one of the league’s worst defenses, they wasted their own prime defensive performance. Shane Bowen’s unit limited Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to just 208 yards passing and zero touchdowns through the air.

But it was all for naught as the Giants dropped the game, 17-7, and fell to 2-4 on the season.

Here’s a quick look at the studs and duds (and studly duds) from Sunday’s loss:

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

In the absence of Kayvon Thibodeaux (IR), Azeez Ojulari stepped up and had his best game in years. He recorded four tackles (two solo, two for a loss), two QB hits, 2.0 sacks, and was in on a forced fumble that was ultimately credited to fellow linebacker Bobby Okereke. Ojulari also recorded six total pressures, which was the most of any defensive player in Week 6 (Monday Night Football yet to be played).

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

After an impressive string of performances, Bad Daniel Jones returned on Sunday night and effectively cost his team the game. He was picked off in the red zone on an attempted throw that never should have been and then missed several open receivers later in the game. He got little help from those around him but with a better performance, could have overcome those issues and cashed in thanks to his team’s impressive defensive performance. Two steps forward, one step back.

Luke Hales/Getty Images

If not for the performance of Ojulari, the NFL world would be praising linebacker Brian Burns for his true breakout game in a Giants uniform. He was all over the field, recording eight tackles (four solo, two for a loss), two QB hits, one sack, and four total pressures. It was easily his best game as a Giant and came against one of the top offenses in football.

Luke Hales/Getty Images

The Giants simply can not rely on their special teams unit as their Week 5 performance appears to have been a fluke. On Sunday night, in a low-scoring contest, replacement kicker Greg Joseph missed two fourth quarter field goals — one that would have tied the game and a second that would have allowed the team to attempt an onside kick. Yes, Joseph had a new holder (punter Matt Haack), but each hold appeared fine.

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

When is nose tackle Dexter Lawrence not a stud? Sunday night was no exception even though he was overshadowed by Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari, but their dominant games directly correlate to what Sexy Dexy was doing inside. He finished the game with three tackles (two solo, one for a loss), one QB hit, and one huge sack on third-and-goal that prevented a potential Bengals touchdown. But make no mistake about it, Lawrence’s impact goes well beyond the box score.

Kevin Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Even before left tackle Andrew Thomas was injured (foot) on the Giants’ lone scoring drive in the third quarter, he was struggling with Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, allowing at least one sack and later being called for an illegal man downfield penalty that really cost the offense. It was an uncharacteristically bad game for Thomas and the offensive line as a whole (the right side was equally poor).

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It was far from a perfect game for cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, but he played the old role often deployed by Bill Belichick quite well. He traveled with superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with a safety shadowed to his side and when all was said and done, Chase finished the game with just five receptions for 72 yards. It was a “you take it” performance.