Joe Burrow runs for a TD and the Bengals' defense carries them past the Giants, 17-7

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Joe Burrow scored on a career-long 47-yard run on the opening possession, and the Cincinnati Bengals' defense carried them to a much-needed 17-7 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night.

Evan McPherson made a go-ahead 37-yard field goal in the third quarter after a botched snap and hold contributed to him missing a potential game-winning kick a week earlier. And Chase Brown scored on a 30-yard run with 1:52 to play — one play after he fumbled and the ball rolled out of bounds — to give the Bengals (2-4) some hope after a dismal start.

Rookie Tyrone Tracy ran for a 1-yard touchdown for the Giants (2-4), who are winless are home in three games and have one scored one touchdown. They failed to take advantage of a Bengals defense that came in ranked 31st in the league in scoring.

The Giants punted four times in the first half. In the second, they turned it over on downs twice and Greg Joseph missed two field goal attempts.

The high-scoring Bengals were coming off a heartbreaking 41-38 overtime loss to visiting Baltimore, their second defeat this season in which Burrow and the offense put up more than 30 points. McPherson's missed kick contributed to the defeat, but the Bengals also could not stop the Ravens and Lamar Jackson.

This time, Cincinnati was led defensively by Trey Hendrickson, who had two sacks, and linebacker Germaine Pratt, who intercepted Daniel Jones near the goal line in the first quarter.

After Tracy's TD run tied the game, the Bengals quickly re-took the lead as Burrow danced in the backfield to give himself time to find Ja’Marr Chase on a 33-yard pass to the Giants 37. McPherson converted his go-ahead field goal with 41 seconds left in the quarter.

New York had a chance to tie the game soon after, but Joseph missed a 47-yard attempt when the kick took a hard left as it neared the uprights.

The Giants had one more chance to tie it late in the fourth quarter, but a crossing pass to Darius Slayton was broken up by DJ Turner. Burrow kept the ensuing drive alive with a 29-yard first-down pass to Andrei Iosivas.

The Bengals then got lucky on the next play when Brown fumbled at the Giants 30 and the ball rolled out of bounds after safety Jason Pinnock failed to recover it.

The Giants, who had not scored a touchdown in their first 10 quarters at home this season, finally found the end zone on Tracy's 1-yard run with 5:48 left in the third quarter. It capped a 16-play, 79 drive that featured two fourth-down conversions by Tracy. The possession began after Zack Moss lost a fumble.

Burrow put the Bengals ahead with his legs instead of his arm. After scrambling for a first down on the third play from scrimmage, he was not touched in rumbling 47 yards for a TD on a third-and-18 play.

The Giants played without playmaking rookie receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) and starting running back Devin Singletary (groin) for the second straight week, and Nabers’ absence showed.

Jones went 22 of 41 for 205 yards. Burrow had similar numbers — 19 of 28 for 208 yards — but made the plays that mattered.

Bengals: Burrow was evaluated in the sideline medical tent after a big hit by Brian Burns but returned on the next series.

Giants: WR Darius Slayton was evaluated for a concussion and returned.

Bengals: At Cleveland next Sunday.

Giants: Host their former star running back Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) escapes from Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Isaiah Thomas (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Jalen Davis (35) celebrates a missed field goal by the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) runs past Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, center right, and New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talk on the field before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates with running back Chase Brown (30) and guard Cordell Volson (67) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The New York Giants lost by winning.

A rare victory — 45-33 over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday — knocked the Giants out of control for the coveted No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

So much for Shedeur Sanders’ Giants-themed cleats unless New York trades up to get the Colorado quarterback.

The Giants (3-13) dropped from first to fourth in the draft order, with the Patriots (3-13) moving up to No. 1. New England doesn’t need a quarterback because rookie Drake Maye has been one of the team’s few bright spots this season. But the Titans (3-13) currently sit at No. 2 and they will be seeking a franchise QB at No. 2. The Browns (3-13) should do the same if they stay at No. 3. Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward won’t be around if New York has to settle for the fourth pick.

That’s why Giants fans were angry after witnessing the team’s first win at MetLife Stadium this season.

“The playoff is out of contention, you understand what they’re saying,” quarterback Drew Lock said after throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. “But at the same time, it’s nice to say we’re going to go work, we’re going to keep doing this, we’re going to keep pushing, the season’s not over, we’ve got two games left to be able to come out and win this one — that’s the goal every single week, come out and win and work as hard as we can to do it."

Players aren’t going to tank football games. It’s a violent, physical sport and it would be dangerous to play to lose. Plus, there’s too much pride involved and other factors. Guys are playing for contracts and there are few job guarantees in the NFL.

“We’re obviously not tanking,” said wide receiver Darius Slayton, who screamed an expletive about tanking after catching a 32-yard TD pass. “At the end of the day, we have a job to do. This isn’t basketball, it’s not golf, it’s not tennis. Football, you get hit, so I’m not (going to) go out there and just let people tee off on me just to tank.”

Getting coaches on board to play not to win would be a tough task, too. Brian Daboll has no incentive to care about draft positioning if his job status is uncertain. General manager Joe Schoen also could be fired, so this decision should have come from the top. Start a third-string quarterback and bench key starters. That’s how teams give themselves a better opportunity to lose.

The Giants didn’t do that. The repercussions of this victory could set the organization back a few years if New York doesn’t end up with a franchise quarterback.

That’s not Daboll’s concern. He breathed a sigh of relief after the Giants avoided becoming the first team to go 0-9 at home.

“I see these coaches every day come in and are consistent. It’s hard to be consistent in an inconsistent league when things go ... It’s not great,” Daboll said. “We haven’t had a good record. I firmly acknowledge that and I accept responsibility for that. But their commitment to doing things the right way, day in and day out, staying late and putting together plans much like the players when we’re down and we got two wins. We have the right kind of people. It was good to get a win at home, I’ll say that. It was good to get a win at home. But it means more to me for the players and the coaches.”

Las Vegas, another team that needs a franchise quarterback, was in contention for the top pick before winning consecutive games. Now, the Raiders (4-12) are sitting at No. 8.

“We don’t do this to lose,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said last week. “We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. Don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that (stuff) matters to us. What matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”

Even if winning ends up hurting the franchise.

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) celebrates with tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) after Lock scored a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)