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

“It’s hard to win football games when you score seven points,” Daboll said. “This one is for me.”

Despite limiting Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to zero passing touchdowns and limiting his powerful group of receivers, the Giants’ offense sputtered. A crucial red zone interception by Daniel Jones and failed third-down conversions were only part of the problem.

“We had some opportunities throughout the game, but we just couldn’t take them,” Daboll said. “We turned the ball over after a good drive and walked away with no points.”

Aggressive play-calling, including going on fourth down early in the second half, did little to spark the offense. Daboll stood by his decision.

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

Special teams also faltered, with two missed field goals by Greg Joseph compounding the team’s problems.

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

On a night when the defense did everything it could to contain Burrow and the Bengals’ offense, the Giants’ offensive failures themselves became their downfall. As Daboll summed it up: “We didn’t execute it well, and it starts with me.”

Now at a critical juncture in their season, the Giants will need to find answers quickly. “We’ll go back, watch the film and find out,” said Daboll, who took full responsibility for the team’s lackluster offensive performance.