The Bengals were back at it for week 2 of the preseason. After beating the Detroit Lions in week 1, they were set to take on the Chicago Bears.
Last week, the Bengals gave a couple of drives to the starters. But this time around, they sat. The Bears, meanwhile, did give a drive to their starters, so it was a good test for Cincinnati’s second team.
Williams, and what amounted to most of Chicago’s starting offence, strung together some good plays. But then, a holding penalty on 1st down set them back. The defence was able to force three straight incompletions, leading to a field goal. On their first drive, the Bengals would soon tie the game. A 14 yard catch by Dohnte Meyers was the highlight of the drive, and McPherson hit a 25 yard chip shot.
3-3.
Another Bears field goal saw them retake the lead in the 2nd quarter. Then, after the two teams traded punts, the Bears would turn it over on downs at the Cincinnati 41. This opened up an opportunity for the Bengals with good field position.
Off the turnover, Josh Johnson completed three straight passes, to Tanner Hudson (11 yards), Charlie Jones (9 yards), and Mitchell Tinsley (17 yards), respectively. A few plays later, he found Colbie Young from 17 yards out for the TD.
10-6 Bengals.
A 6 yard TD pass from Johnson to Hudson saw the Bengals extend their lead. The drive was aided by a 19 yard screen pass to Tahj Brooks a little earlier. Chicago would add another field goal, and the Bengals went into the half with an 8 point lead.
17-9 Bengals.
Sean Clifford came out at QB in the 2nd half for the Bengals. His first two passes were both completions, the first going to Ke’Shawn Williams for 11 yards, and then to a wide open Charlie Jones for 26. Clifford would later find Williams again for 13 yards, and the drive ended with an over the shoulder TD pass to Noah Thomas.
In the 4th quarter, Evan McPherson would add a 58 yard field goal, which turned out to be the final score of the game.
27-9 Bengals, final.
The Bengals have won both of their first two preseason games, and will close it out next week in Philly, as they take on the Eagles.
Thumbnail Image Via: Maize & Blue Nation (CC)