The Cincinnati Bengals played their first preseason game on Thursday night, taking on the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
The Bengals starters got some action, as expected, with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins all playing a big chunk of the first quarter.
Joe Burrow went 5-for-6 with 39 yards, taking the majority of his snaps from under center as Taylor tries to develop that part of his game. Orlando Brown told new sideline reporter Joe Danneman that running the offense from under center gives the unit a few more layers they can use, so there is a reason they will continue with the install despite growing pains.
Ja’Marr Chase had one target and one catch for 16 yards. Tee Higgins did not record a catch. Colbie Young had two catches for 28 yards as Joe Flacco targeted him multiple times. Young also got a snap with the first-string offense.
Tight end Tanner Hudson, who has been hot in camp, posted two catches for 20 yards. He was targeted three times. Andrei Iosivas caught two passes on two targets for 20 yards as well. Late-round pick Jack Endries had a huge game with three catches for 25 yards and a score.
The low point for the starters came when Detroit Lions edge rusher Eric O’Neill beat Cincinnati left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. on a speed rush and recorded a QB hit on Joe Burrow, taking him to the ground on a 3rd-and-4 play, forcing an incompletion and a long field goal. Burrow was sacked on his first drive as well.
Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie’s Chalkboard and Fox 19 said it was a “boring” showing from the offense, which he said was good given there were no injuries or ugly turnovers from the starters. There was some drama surrounding Joe Burrow and a potential injury, as he checked out his arm after the play where O’Neill hit him. He was also seen stretching his lower half while on the sideline.
Kris Jenkins Jr. had a big night, posting five tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. He was second in tackles behind Joe Giles-Harris, who had nine. A super-large and athletic defensive tackle, Landon Robinson, who was a late-round draft pick by the Bengals after winning the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, posted two tackles and half a sack. Dexter Lawrence did not record a tackle.
Barrett Carter did not record a tackle, but backup Oren Burks had four tackles, and Demetrius Knight Jr. had one. Defensive end Boye Mafe had two tackles as well. Jordan Battle had an interception early in the game, and Russ Yeast sealed the game with an interception on the Lions' final drive after Luke Altmyer overthrew his target.
Cincinnati won 16-14. Their next preseason game will be against the Chicago Bears on August 22 in Cincinnati.