Three things to watch when the Giants take on the Bengals in their third preseason game Thursday night:

Running with a purpose

Running backs Paul Perkins and Rod Smith are vying for one roster spot and are staging a competitive battle this summer. Perkins lost a fumble in the first game, Smith lost one in the second game. There is not much separating these young-ish veterans.

Ryan king

Can Ryan Connelly actually win a starting job? The rookie inside linebacker from Wisconsin has worked with the first team, a crack in the lineup opened with Alec Ogletree sidelined by a hamstring issue. Connelly has impressed the coaching staff and here is another opportunity for snaps with the first-team defense.

Receiving a chance

No one has done more to force his way onto the roster than WR T.J. Jones. He took the production he displayed in practice and translated it to the preseason games, a prerequisite that allows an outsider to become an insider.