After dropping their first preseason game to Green Bay, the Bengals were at it again in Atlanta for their second preseason game. It was largely an uneventful game, though it did feature some moments of intensity that changed the course of the game. For the Bengals, Jonah Williams was the only offensive starter to see the field, while the defensive starters saw some action on the first drive.
The first quarter featured one drive for each team. Atlanta started with the ball, and drove inside the Bengals 10 yard line. However, the Bengals defence did not break. Mike Hilton tipped a pass that was then intercepted by Joseph Ossai. The Bengals also drove deep into Atlanta territory, but turned it over on downs, failing to convert on 4th & short.
In the 2nd quarter, the Falcons went up 3-0. The Bengals were having trouble moving the ball, but Siemian and the rest were able to string together a few completions to get into field goal range late in the half. McPherson nailed the 50 yard attempt, evening up the score at the break.
The Bengals opened the 3rd quarter with a field goal drive. It was Browning at QB now, and connections with Chris Evans and Shedrick Jackson helped move the ball down the field.
Atlanta answered with a TD drive. A 28 yard pass from Heinicke to Arcega-Whiteside was the highlight of the drive. Ruled down at the 1, Washington was able to punch it in a play later.
Neither team could get much going afterwards, until late in the 4th quarter. Browning led an 80 yard drive, making a few short completions, and then using his legs to rack up the yards. An 18 yard completion to Iosivas then set the Bengals up at the Atlanta 5. On 2nd down, Chase Brown punched it in for the team’s first TD of the preseason, giving the Bengals a 13-10 lead with 50 seconds left.
With former Bengal Logan Woodside in at QB for the Falcons, some intermediate passes were completed to enter into Cincinnati territory. With 11 seconds left, Woodside took a shot at the endzone, but DJ Ivey broke it up to prevent the loss. Koo’s field goal attempt, however, was successful, and the game ended in a 13-13 tie, with overtime no longer existing in the preseason.
The Bengals will conclude their preseason next week in Washington against the Commanders.