Cincy Jungle
We got the first taste of the Cincinnati Bengals playing a real opponent this season, as they lost their preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 34-27.
Who had a good night, and who left some to be desired? Let’s look at the winners and losers from tonight’s contest.
Joe Burrow: Burrow played a full quarter of action and looked to be in midseason form. In the most extensive preseason action of his career, Burrow came out on the first drive, completing six of seven passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. The incompletion was a ball off of Tee Higgins’ hands, Burrow patted his chest as if to say “my fault,” but Higgins could’ve caught it as well. On the second drive, Burrow looked just as crisp before firing a 36-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase.
Ja’Marr Chase: Coming off of a triple crown season, Chase looks to be ready to pick up where he left off. The 36-yard touchdown from Burrow was his last reception, but Chase caught three other passes, making all four of his targets completions. Chase was crisp in his route running, made an impressive sideline catch, and then did what he does best: made a defender miss on his way to the end zone.
Chase Brown: Coaches have sung Brown’s praises all offseason, and tonight, we saw glimpses of just how explosive he can be. Brown exploded through holes, fought off contact, and looked to be in a good rhythm in the run game. He only carried the ball five times, but his 23 rushing yards gave him a 4.6 yards per carry average. Brown was also a factor in the passing game, hauling in three receptions for 25 yards.
Tanner Hudson: With Mike Gesicki back, Drew Sample’s role is fairly safe, and Noah Fant is newly signed, Hudson’s role hasn’t felt the safest. Hudson played essentially the entire game, even after taking a big hit that looked to have shaken him up. Hudson scored the opening touchdown in the first quarter and finished the night with another touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter. Hudson won’t go away without a fight and will put more pressure on Tanner McLaughlin and Cam Grandy in the battle at the bottom of the tight end depth chart.
Scott Peters and the offensive line: Peters’ unit got their first taste of competition and, for the most part, played well. Rookie Dylan Fairchild looked prepared, and aside from a chop block call that was questionable at best, Lucas Patrick looked comfortable and solid at right guard. Amarius Mims and Orlando Brown Jr. were as expected, having solid nights at their respective tackle spots.
Joe Giles-Harris: The one defender to make an eye-popping play was linebacker Joe Giles-Harris. Early in the fourth quarter, Giles-Harris made an impressive play on a tipped ball, hauling it in for a diving interception. It appeared he ran it back for a touchdown, but after review, he was called down...
