Brian Daboll: “Seven points are not enough to win in this league”

In a game where the New York Giants defense gave them every chance to win, it was the offense that couldn't score. After a disheartening 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Brian Daboll didn't mince his words.

“It’s hard to win football games when you score seven points,” Daboll said. “That’s on me.”

Although Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stopped allowing passing touchdowns and limited his strong group of receivers, the Giants' offense stalled. A crucial red zone interception by Daniel Jones and failed third-down conversions were just part of the problem.

“We had a few chances throughout the game, but we just couldn’t take advantage of them,” said Daboll. “We turned the ball over on a good drive and got away with no points.”

Aggressive play calling, including attempts to go for it on fourth down early in the second half, did little to energize the offense. Daboll stuck to his decision.

“We had no points and I felt good about what we had,” he said. “But when you get seven points, that’s the reality. We have to do better.”

Special teams also faltered, with two missed field goals by Greg Joseph adding to the team's woes.

“We’re not going to make excuses,” Daboll said. “Seven points are not enough to win in this league.”

On a night where the defense did everything it could to contain Burrow and the Bengals' offense, the Giants' offensive misfires became their own undoing. Daboll summed it up: “We didn’t do well, and that starts with me.”

The Giants are now at a critical point in their season and need to find answers quickly. “We’ll go back, watch the film and figure it out,” Daboll said, taking full responsibility for the team’s poor offensive performance.