CINCINNATI — Daniel Jones completed a difficult week with an encouraging performance on Thursday night, leading the Giants to a touchdown during a 25-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Zac Taylor’s first home game as coach.

In a GQ article published Tuesday, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said he was stunned that the Giants had drafted Jones, a quarterback from Duke, in the first round. Mayfield tried to tamp down the comment and texted Jones to explain his remarks.

Jones got into the game on the Giants’ second series and went 9 of 11 for 141 yards the rest of the half. He had completions of 35 yards to Brittan Golden and 27 yards to Darius Slayton on a seven-play touchdown drive, a solid all-around showing for Jones, who is expected to be Eli Manning’s eventual replacement.

Manning led an opening 15-play series that ended in a field goal and included five plays that gained at least 9 yards. Manning was 4 of 8 for 41 yards. In three preseason games, Manning is 9 of 13 for 86 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.