PHILADELPHIA — If Friday night was meant to serve as a “separation” game, several Bengals have made it very difficult for Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin to make cuts this weekend.
During Cincinnati’s 30-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, many Bengals made their case to remain on the roster after 6 p.m. ET Sunday evening. The 3-0 record was Cincinnati’s first perfect preseason since going 4-0 in 2006.
Dohnte Meyers had a very impressive first quarter, with catches of nine, 17 and 25 yards, with the nine-yarder coming on third-and-7 to keep a drive alive. Charlie Jones had three first half punt returns, including a 31-yarder late in the second quarter. Jones also had a pair of nice catches for 36 yards while another receiver in a fierce fight for a spot – Ke’Shawn Williams caught four passes on four targets for 39 yards, including an 11-yarder from Sean Clifford in the third quarter for a touchdown. He fought through three Eagles for the TD.
This is the tightest race on the team. Assuming the top four receiver spots are spoken for in Chase, Higgins, Iosivas and Young, it comes down to Meyers (likely on), Charlie Jones, Mitchell Tinsley and Ke’Shawn Williams. for his part, Tinsley had one catch on two targets but it was for 31 yards.
Rookie tight end Jack Endries had two catches on three targets for 11 yards. Endries, the seventh-round pick from Texas, is trying to join Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Mike Gesicki and Erick All Jr. in a crowded tight end room.
The Bengals outgained the Eagles, 420-210.
The Bengals’ defense was impressive in the first half, holding the Eagles to 87 yards, with nearly half of those yards coming on the final drive of the first half after a fumble by Gary Brightwell.
While he’s not likely to make the squad, Kentrell Bullock was the star of the second half, finishing the game with 85 yards on 14 carries, and a six-yard touchdown run off the right side. Jamal Haynes capped off a big night in the run game for the Bengals with a 39-yard TD run with 4:31 remaining. The Bengals finished with 190 yards of rushing on 29 carries.
Landon Robinson and McKinnley Jackson opened at defensive tackle for the Bengals. The seventh-rounder Robinson almost certainly has done enough to land a spot on the first 53-man roster and avoid being exposed to the waiver wire.
The Bengals also lost a fumble to start the second half, when Tahj Brooks had the ball stripped from behind as he was falling to the ground after a strong 37-yard return to the Bengals 40.
The Bengals opened with a starting offensive line of left tackle Javon Foster, left guard Jacob Bayer, center Connor Lew, right guard Brian Parker II and right tackle Jalen Rivers. The battle for the swing/third tackle job appears to be coming down to the wire. Barring a trade or another outside acquisition, Foster would appear to have the advantage, as he has started at left tackle the last two preseason game, the quarterback’s blindside.
Evan McPherson has been the MVP of the Bengals offense this preseason, going 8-for-8 on field goals and 5-for-5 on PATs. He had another 58-yard field goal Friday, giving him three of 50-plus and two of 58 yards.
Josh Newton and Bobo Davis each had nice pass breakups in the first half, with Davis collecting an interception on the tip drill when a pass deflected off the hands of Makai Lemon. With Davis, he is of course secure in his spot but has Newton done enough to show the coaching staff he belongs?
Former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton led Philadelphia to its first touchdown on its second drive of the third quarter, capped off by a 5-yard naked boot to running back Carson Steele. Dalton finished the night 12-of-19 for 104 yards and the touchdown.
Other observations:
* Bengals led 9-3 at the half on three Evan McPherson field goals.
* Landon Robinson gets the start with McKinnley Jackson at DT.
* Isaiah Foskey and Antwaun Powell-Ryland split a sack to force 3rd-and-19
* Bobo Davis had a nice pass breakup in iso man-to-man coverage on the outside. Second quarter, Davis picked off a pass that went off the hands of Makai Lemon and returned it 16 yards.
* The bad… Davis got flagged for defensive holding late in second quarter giving Eagles automatic first down.
* Isaiah Foskey with the sack to force 4th and 15 at Bengals 27. Eagles settle for 45-year Jake Elliott FG.
* Bengals allowed field goal at the halftime gun in all 3 games.
* McPherson now 8-for-8 in FGs in preseason and 5-for-5 on PATs… had kicks of 29, 58 and 34 yards.
* Bengals outgained Eagles 201-87 in the first half.
* Josh Johnson 12-of-19 for 156 yards, started at QB for Bengals
* Tanner McKee 12-of-22 for 55 yards, started at QB for Eagles, not Andy Dalton
* False starts for Connor Lew and Jacob Bayer.
* Another great half for Dohnte Meyers 3rd-and-7 catch for 9 yards. Added catches of 17 and 25 yards on opening drive.
* Josh Newton also had a nice PBU in 1on1 coverage.
* Charlie Jones had 3 punt returns, including a 31 yarder late in 2nd quarter.
* Before his third-quarter fumble, Tahj Brooks looked strong running the ball, with six carries and 22 yards.
The Bengals must now cut their roster to 53 players by the NFL-mandated deadline of 6 p.m. ET Sunday evening. The Bengals will get back on the practice field on Sunday before practicing three more times Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Bengals open the season Sept. 13 at home against Tampa Bay.
