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CINCINNATI — Is it an opportunity lost if you didn’t lose anything?
The Giants are kicking themselves by playing just poorly enough to get handed an agonizing loss to the Steelers, but not a dent was made into their commanding lead in the NFC East.
Their 6-3 record has them comfortably in front of the underachieving Eagles and Cowboys, both 3-5. Just as the Giants lost last weekend, so, too, did every other team in the division. Status quo.
That’s all well and good, but the Giants don’t want to make it a habit. Historically, they falter this time of year and give away some or all the cushion they made such an effort to build up.
“We had tremendous opportunity that we did not take advantage of,’’ defensive tackle Chris Canty said. “We understand that you can’t let too many of those go by — not in this business. You’ve got to be on top of your game week in, week out. … But the great thing about it is, you get a chance to bounce back. It’s an opportunity for our team to re-establish who we are going up to Cincinnati against a very good NFC North football team.’’
One game stands in the way of the Giants and their very-late bye week, and losing to the Bengals (3-5) would not be an acceptable way to head into the break.
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Bengals DT Geno Atkins and DE Michael Johnson vs. Giants LG Kevin Boothe and LT Will Beatty.
The Bengals have 23 sacks this season, and Atkins (7) and Johnson (6) account for 13 of them. Atkins has the most sacks of any interior defensive lineman in the NFL, and Johnson, at 6-foot-7, has a long wingspan to help him reach his prey. The Giants have allowed just eight sacks, but two of them came last week vs. the Steelers.
OH, DOCTOR
After a promising 3-1 start, the Bengals have lost four straight and are teetering on the edge of contention extinction. Coach Marvin Lewis insists his team is in the right frame of mind and that his players “are where they need to be.’’ Asked if he has to serve as a psychologist for his young team, Lewis said, “No, no proctologist here. Or orthodontist. I’m keeping all my doctors hats in reserve.’’
SEE WHAT I SEE?
In the past three weeks, the Giants have allowed 238 rushing yards to the Redskins, 19 to the
Cowboys and 158 to the Steelers. Coach Tom Coughlin called last week’s showing against the run “soft,’’ which is about as unflattering a characterization as you can make. The Bengals
don’t run it great with former Patriots back Benjarvus Green-Ellis (3.4 yards per attempt), but he is a capable runner and the Giants are coming off a game in which backup Isaac Redman tore them to shreds.
By the way, the Bengals noticed.
“The Steelers ran the ball well on them, and hopefully we can do the same,’’ quarterback Andy Dalton said. “If we get the run game going, it opens things up. I feel like we can throw the ball as well, and we match up with them, but it would be good to get the run game going.”
FIRING BLANKS
Suddenly, Eli Manning is the 17th-ranked quarterback in the NFL, dropping like a rock after some un-Eli-like performances. He hasn’t been under the microscope like this in years. Is he tired? Is he in a (dare we say it?) slump? Have his receivers lost the ability to separate? No one is close to panicking, but the Giants need their franchise player to play like one.
HELLO, NEWMAN
The Giants enjoyed seeing Terence Newman when he started at cornerback for the Cowboys last season. They abused him. Heck, fullback Henry Hynoski, not known as a sky-walker, vaulted over Newman to pick up a first down. The Cowboys had seen enough of Newman, and he has resurfaced in Cincinnati.
“He’s got some rejuvenation over there,’’ receiver Victor Cruz said.
“Me and T-New, we’ve got some history,’’ added WR Hakeem Nicks, who will play even though his left knee swelled up this week. “He’s a sassy, veteran player. He knows our offense obviously from being in Dallas. We have to be cautious of that, but you know, at the same time do what we do.’’
DALTON MANAGING THE JOB
This will be the Giants’ first look at Dalton, the second-year quarterback who has thrown more touchdown passes (14) this season than Manning (12). Dalton has also thrown 11 interceptions, good news for a Giants defense that is tied for the league lead with 17 interceptions.
“He’s a manager of the game,’’ linebacker Michael Boley said. “He doesn’t take too many risks. Obviously he has some great skill players outside that can make up for any mistakes that he does have. Overall, he’s doing quite well.”
GREEN WITH ENVY
A.J. Green helped spice up the week by saying he sees holes in the Giants defense, which got Antrel Rolle riled up — “If he sees me he better duck.’’ Of course, Green spoke the truth. There are holes in the Giants defense, as the back end is not immune to giving up big plays. The Giants have faced plenty of quality receivers, but Green stacks up as the best yet.
“I think he’s a great receiver,’’ safety Stevie Brown said. “I thought that when I saw him coming out of Georgia. … He’s big, can run, makes great catches. He’s definitely a playmaker.’’
Corey Webster will get most of the snaps against Green, but Prince Amukamara will also get a shot. Either way, the cornerbacks are going to need help.
PAUL’S PICK
The Giants have played just two complete games all season, at Carolina and at San Francisco. This could be another chance for a big showing, but they are not clicking on offense, which could change in an instant. Bengals have lost four straight but were within one score in three of them.
GIANTS 27, BENGALS 24
paul.schwartz@nypost.com