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AT FIRST GLANCE **

After spending a week in Cincinnati where they held two joint practices with the Bengals, the Giants kicked off their 2015 preseason with a 23-10 loss on Friday night at Paul Brown Stadium.

**>> WATCH GIANTS VS. BENGALS HIGHLIGHTS**

WHAT'S NEXT

In their second preseason game, the Giants will host the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22, for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

In four series with Eli Manning under center, the Giants netted 15 plays for 28 yards, resulting in three punts and a missed field goal. Unable to move the chains until running back Andre Williams turned a short pass into a 16-yard gain on the fourth drive of the game, Manning went 4 of 8 for 22 yards before his night ended early in the second quarter. While Ryan Nassib relieved Manning, the first-team offensive line, however, stayed on for a fifth drive with the backup quarterback. 

That led to a an eight-play, 67-yard scoring drive that was capped by a goal-line dive into the end zone by running back Orleans Darkwa, who finished as the Giants' leading rusher with nine carries for 52 yards.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

One series was all the Bengals needed to see from quarterback Andy Dalton, who completed all three of his passing attempts for 31 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown to wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. Assessing the Giants' performance, linebacker Jon Beason said he would have liked to see a faster start by the defense, which allowed 29 first downs in the game. Heading into the opener, there was curiosity surrounding who would start at safety in the wide open competition. We got our answer for the night as rookie second-round pick Landon Collins and veteran Jeromy Miles received the start.

**>> GAMEDAY TWEETS FROM CINCINNATI**

Meanwhile, Markus Kuhn saw first-team reps at defensive tackle as the versatile Cullen Jenkins started at defensive end opposite Robert Ayers Jr. Jenkins combined on a sack with defensive end Damontre Moore, and defensive tackle Carlif Taylor notched the second of two on the night. In the turnover department, defensive back Trevin Wade grabbed the first interception of the preseason and returned it 61 yards. Wade also had the first interception of training camp practices.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS

The Giants received a spark in the return game as Akeem Hunt, an undrafted rookie out of Purdue, returned a kickoff for 70 yards in the first quarter. First-year Giants and former Cowboys Dwayne Harris returned two punts for 11 yards. Kicker Josh Brown made a 41-yard field but missed a 53-yarder wide right earlier in the first quarter.

DID NOT PLAY

CB Prince Amukamara (groin), OL William Beatty (PUP, pectoral)) , Safety Nat Berhe (calf) , CB Chykie Brown (knee), WR Victor Cruz, LB Jameel McClain (neck), OL Geoff Schwartz (ankle).

LINEUP CHANGES

Jayron Hosley started in place of Amukamara at RCB; John Jerry in place of Schwartz at RG; Preston Parker in place of Cruz at WR.

GAME CAPTAINS

WR Preston Parker, LB Mark Herzlich, DT Markus Kuhn

GIANTS INJURY REPORT

Safety Landon Collins was taken to the locker room in the first quarter for x-rays on his knee. They were negative, but the rookie did not return to the game. Fellow safety Mykkele Thompson suffered an Achilles injury early in the second quarter and did not return. Cornerback Trumaine McBride left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and also did not return. Cornerback Jayron Hosley underwent an MRI on his neck and was evaluated for a concussion.