EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants’ 25-22 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals gave us a whopping dose of each what we love — and hate — about preseason soccer.

The Kayvon Thibodeaux damage was the scariest. The No. 5 general choose mendacity on the MetLife Stadium turf was one thing on one needed to see, although it seems earlier than Monday’s MRI that the Giants might have dodged a bullet.

There was additionally a knee damage to spectacular rookie linebacker Darrian Beavers, a concussion suffered by placekicker Graham Gano and a rib damage sustained by C.J. Board.

The flip facet of that’s that some fantastic moments come out of those video games for gamers who might by no means get to duplicate them in regular-season NFL motion.

Quarterback Davis Webb and extensive receiver Alex Bachman shared such a second Sunday night time.

Webb, drafted within the third spherical by the Giants in 2017, by no means received an opportunity in New York — jettisoned by a brand new regime for Kyle Lauletta a yr later. Having adopted GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll from the Buffalo Payments again to the Giants, Webb went 22 of 27 for 204 yards and threw two fourth-quarter landing passes because the Giants got here again twice within the last 15 minutes.

“He was in fairly good command,” Daboll mentioned. “He’s been on this offense, he hasn’t been in it for six months, he’s carried out it for years. He has full command of what we’re doing.

“Davis has a full grasp of what we run, how we run it, we all know what he likes. There’s time invested. Three years of time invested with a participant, that goes a good distance.”

A lot of Webb’s second-half success got here throwing the ball to Bachman, who has spent most of his time with the Giants since 2019 on the follow squad. In all that point, he has solely appeared in 4 regular-season video games.

Sunday, Webb focused Bachman an astounding 14 occasions in simply two quarters of motion. The 6-foot, 190-pound 26-year-old responded with 11 receptions for 122 yards, catching landing passes of 22 and 15 yards, the latter of which was the game-winner with :35 to play.

Bachman mentioned the 11 catches have been greater than he had in any recreation in school at Wake Forest.

“I’m sort of speechless,” Bachman mentioned. “My mother and father [Leslie and David Bachman] have been within the stands. I’m glad they have been right here. I used to be simply grateful to have some alternatives, for the employees to consider in me.

“They stored calling up performs the place I knew Davis was going to feed me the ball.”

Bachman, making an attempt to shake the notion of being a follow squad “emergency” participant and make the 53-man roster, additionally had an 11-yard punt return and a solo sort out on kickoff protection.

Bachman mentioned he had a number of “constructed up emotion” after his time with the Giants.

“It hasn’t at all times been easy,” Bachman mentioned of his time with the Giants. “We haven’t gained a number of video games since I’ve been right here and I haven’t had a number of alternatives. I’m only a man who’s at all times stored his mouth closed and labored, simply hoped for a possibility. That chance got here tonight.”

Bachman was much more thrilled concerning the particular groups sort out he made after his first landing, tackling Bengals’ kickoff returner Kwame Lassiter on the 17-yard line.

“I’ve been ready for T-Mac [special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey] to let me unfastened,” Bachman mentioned. “I’ve been on scout group kickoff for 3 years now.”

Perhaps the particular night time they’d Sunday gained’t imply something as soon as the common season rolls round. It was, although, a type of issues we love concerning the preseason — sudden heroes getting a second within the solar.

Fast ideas

I don’t need to spoil ‘Kudos & Moist Willies,’ however listed below are just a few fast ‘issues I believe’ after Sunday’s recreation.

• I believe the information won’t be good for Beavers after he undergoes his MRI on Monday, and I do know I’ll really feel terrible for him if my suspicion is confirmed. He’s a pleasant younger man and has been exhibiting indicators of maybe changing into a very good participant.

• I don’t suppose any of the Giants’ backup cornerbacks distinguished themselves.
• I believe the makeshift offensive traces — each the first- and second-half teams — deserve large props. No sacks and solely two quarterback hits in 54 cross makes an attempt. Wonderful, contemplating what the Giants have been working with.
• I believe it was enjoyable to look at punter Jamie Gillan kick area targets and additional factors, and Julian Love maintain for the primary time ever, however I hope it by no means involves that in a regular-season recreation.
• I believe it was attention-grabbing to see David Sills get first-team reps, and catch 5 passes from Daniel Jones for 56 yards. There’s an apparent consolation between the 2 that may’t — or shouldn’t — be dismissed.