CHICAGO – The Bengals acquired an extended take a look at their backups Saturday at Soldier Discipline throughout a soggy preseason recreation, whereas the Bears rolled out their starters and took a 27-3 victory.
With their starters on the sidelines and their reserves negotiating a drenched area, the Bengals flip to Thursday’s preseason finale in opposition to the Colts at Paycor Stadium, which will even function Tuesday’s joint apply between the 2 groups.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 NFL Draft’s total No. 1 decide, spiced his house debut with a seven-yard scrambling landing for a 10-0 lead late within the first half, however the Bengals’ second protection did not give him a lot.
The Bengals’ solely starters who took the sphere Saturday had been the 2 vying for the spot reverse No. 1 cowl cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. Dax Hill and DJ Turner had their palms full in opposition to Williams and the Bears’ fleet of receivers, however that second protection confirmed up nicely in opposition to the Bears’ Ones.
They opened the sport with three three-and-outs. Backup slot cornerback Jalen Davis made two huge performs early: a go defensed on perennial Professional Bowler Keenan Allen and a third-down cease on a dump go over the center to tight finish Gerald Everett.
Rookie cornerback Josh Newton working within the slot stopped the third sequence on third-and-two when he acquired his hand on a slant to 1,300-yard receiver DJ Moore.
At that time, Hill was carried out after two sequence whereas Turner labored the third.
They had been each out for the fourth sequence when the Bears lastly acquired their first first down three minutes into the second quarter: They needed to resort to a 16-yard end-around by rookie vast receiver Rome Oduzne when the first-round decide jetted away from rookie linebacker Maema Njongmeta.
Njongmeta, who led the workforce with 10 tackles final Saturday, had one other productive effort. He had eight extra tackles within the first three quarters.
Williams then lastly made a giant play, however it got here courtesy of a penalty when Newton was known as for go interference vast receiver Tyler Scott’s 43-yard route down the center of the sphere. That put the ball on the Bengals 15, however the protection rebounded with rookie deal with Kris Jenkins Jr.’s sack and deal with Zach Carter’s cease of a brief go to power a area aim.
Williams acquired his landing within the final two minutes of the half and flashed the athleticism that gained the Heisman Trophy. The proper-hander rolled left and threw a dime to Odunze working with Newton for 45 yards.
Then on third down from the Bengals 7, he escaped two defenders within the backfield and rolled down the fitting sideline for a landing. Williams completed six-of -3 for 75 yards and 64.6 passer ranking.
Evan McPherson’s first kick as a $16.5-million man was good from 54 yards on the final play of the half to chop the Bears result in 10-3.
A robust kick return by rookie vast receiver Jermaine Burton, this one for 29 yards on a kickoff with 1:26 left within the half, allowed quarterback Logan Woodside to drive for the factors. Woodside completed the half 15 of 20 for 119 yards and noticed lots of his drives damage by penalties. The Bengals had six for 83 yards within the half, three on third down.
With punt returner Charlie Jones (knee) enhancing however not taking part in Saturday and kick returner Chris Evans (knee) out for the yr, Burton did each within the first half and confirmed some pop. Together with the 29-yard kick return, he had a 24-yard punt return negated by penalty.
Penalties plagued the Bengals. As they navigate the brand new kickoff rule, they had been known as for holding on the primary three kickoffs of the second half.