EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Let's be honest: Sunday's showdown between the Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals isn't exactly the most glamorous matchup of the NFL season so far.

The Giants offense is mired in a slump, the Bengals have lost four straight games and these two teams have committed a combined 14 turnovers in the last four weeks. It hardly sounds like a game-of-the-week contender, much less one of the most anticipated encounters of the year.

But...