Knock on wood, but there is an almost incomprehensible fact about the Giants’ offensive line this season. The starting five up front — left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz, right guard Greg Van Roten and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor — have played every single snap together for five consecutive games. Yes, the same group that didn’t play one snap together for basically all of training camp because of injuries is staying healthy and meshing in a way that this franchise has craved for about a decade. And what a difference that chemistry and continuity make for a group of experienced veterans. Aside from Schmitz being a second-year pro, the other four starters came into the year with 204 career starts. it turned out to be a blessing in disguise that former first-round pick Evan Neal started camp on the PUP list, because that forced the Giants to move Eluemunor to right tackle and later sign Van Roten to play right guard. Eluemunor the most passing-blocking snaps (201) without allowing a sack this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite the Giants sitting with a meager 2-3 record going into a Sunday night showdown with Cincinnati at MetLife Stadium, the offensive line is actually looking pretty … good? “I think they’ve been consistently really good,” said quarterback Daniel Jones, who also has played every snap after missing 11 games with neck and knee injuries last year. “They’ve played at a high level and protected well against a lot of good pass rushes. I think that helps being able to get through my reads and get the ball out on time. It helps knowing that you’re going to be protected.” Jones was pressured on only 10 of his 40 dropbacks in the Giants’ 29-20 win last Sunday in Seattle. His ability to cycle through reads because of the protection was never more apparent than when he initially locked onto Wan’Dale Robinson along the right sideline before shifting his eyes left toward Darius Slayton and unloading a 30-yard touchdown pass. By many metrics the pass protection has been strong week in and week out, and that’s allowed head coach Brian Daboll to get creative with his play-calling and scheming open receivers. And when Jones has more time, he’s undoubtedly less tentative in the pocket as well. “It starts up front — those five guys seeing the game through the same set of eyes,” Daboll said. “Without those guys, you’re not getting plays downfield or an efficient passing game and pass protection or the screen game.” While the run blocking has been uneven, the Giants turned a corner in that department against the Seahawks with a season-high 175 rushing yards on 34 carries. That should continue against a Bengals defense that has really struggled during the team’s surprising 1-4 start with the third-most rushing yards allowed per game (151.4) and the second-most points allowed per game (29). But the Giants, who will be without wide receiver Malik Nabers and possibly running back Devin Singletary again because of injuries, need to go out and actually do it. That has been easier said than done at home, where the Giants have yet to score a touchdown — let alone win a game — in two games against the Vikings and the Cowboys. Jones noted that producing in the red zone — and situationally in general — will be crucial. The offense is 0-for-5 in scoring touchdowns when reaching the opponent’s 20-yard line at home, and it has converted 35 percent of its third downs at home versus 39 percent on the road. Jones also has staggering splits at home versus the road — 27 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in the Meadowlands versus 41 touchdowns and 14 interceptions everywhere else — but isn’t dwelling much on it. “The football field is the same and it’s about going out and playing well, regardless of where you are,” Jones said. “I’m excited to get out there. I think we all are. It should be an awesome atmosphere for football.” Still, everything is pointing toward the Giants being capable of trading blows with Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ high-powered offense, which ranks fourth in the league in points per game (28). This is a gut check for both teams. The Bengals need a win to avoid being realistically eliminated from playoff contention. The Giants need a win to show that their spirited road efforts can translate to their home field in a big primetime moment, and rejuvenate their own playoff hopes by evening their record to .500 for the first time since Week 2 of last season. It if it goes New York’s way on Sunday night, there’s a good chance that the offensive line will play a pivotal role. “This is a veteran group,” Daboll said. “They mesh well together. They meet a lot. They’re smart. If they make a mistake on something, usually by the next play or the next game, it’s corrected. They know how to handle themselves in the classroom to get ready for a game. And then the communication part of it during the game is important.” Giants Gameday The Game: Bengals (1-4) at Giants (2-3), MetLife Stadium, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC) The Line: Cincinnati by 3.5 History: The Bengals lead the all-time series, 6-5, dating back to 1972. The Giants have won the last two matchups in 2020 in Cincinnati and in 2016 in East Rutherford. Key Matchups: Giants LT Andrew Thomas vs. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson: This is the most star-studded individual matchup. Thomas is an All-Pro who has essentially won against every pass rusher he’s faced this season besides Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks last year and has been excellent so far this year with three sacks and 22 pressures. Giants WR Darius Slayton vs Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt: Slayton’s 122 receiving yards last week were the third-most of his six-year career. He needs to step up again, especially with Malik Nabers still sidelined by a concussion. Taylor-Britt has five passes defended and an interception. Giants CB Deonte Banks vs. Bengals WR Jamar Chase: Banks has struggled at times while traveling with opposing teams’ best receivers, but he had a solid game last week by holding Seattle’s DK Metcalf to four catches for 55 yards. Chase is an elite foe as he ranks second in the NFL with 493 receiving yards and is tied for first with five touchdowns. Giants OLB Azeez Ojulari vs. Bengals RT Amarius Mims: With Kayvon Thibodeaux out for potentially a month or longer, Ojulari’s big opportunity in a contract year starts now. He’s had one sack and two QB hits in a rotational role so far. The rookie Mims was the No. 18 overall pick in this year’s draft but didn’t play until Week 3 because of a pectoral injury. Injury Report: Giants: OUT: WR Malik Nabers (concussion), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist); QUESTIONABLE: RB Devin Singletary (groin), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), P Jamie Gillan (left hamstring). Bengals: DOUBTFUL: CB DJ Ivey (knee); QUESTIONABLE: HB Chase Brown (quadricep), CB Mike Hilton (knee). Giant Facts: The Giants have the NFL’s worst record (12-34) in primetime games since 2013. Their only primetime game of the season until this one was a Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. … The Giants’ league-high 22 sacks are only one fewer than the 2015 Giants accumulated for an entire season. … The Giants have the 10th-fewest penalty yards (238) among teams that have played five games. The Prediction: Giants 27, Bengals 24