CINCINNATI — It was a time for Bengals back-ups to shine and, for the most part, they certainly did in a 27-9 win over the Chicago Bears Saturday night before an impressive preseason crowd of 63,562 at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals improved to 2-0 while the Bears dropped to 1-1 in the preseason.
Josh Johnson finished 15-of-23 in the first half, led a pair of impressive first-half touchdown drives and capped them off with touchdown passes of 17 yards to Colbie Young and six yards to Tanner Hudson.
The Bengals’ depth was on full display on both sides of the ball.
Colbie Young had a significant first half. He hauled in another nice catch on the sideline for a first down for 18 yard and was 2-for-7 on his other seven targets, including a Johnson toss to the end zone that was knocked away at the last moment. Moments later, Johnson went back to Young and the rookie beat corner Dontae Manning for a 17-yard TD. He had three catches, 48 yards for Young.
Dohnte Meyers continues to flash, five catches on six targets for 41 yards, including a first down grab of 14 yards with nice separation. Meyers also had a nice “jet motion” run for nine yards. Meyers also had a punt return of nine yards to the Bengals 37 before the half.
The Bengals went with a starting offensive line of RT Javon Foster, RG Cody Ford, C Connor Lew, LG Brian Parker II, LT Jalen Rivers. Jacob Bayer replaced Connor Lew with seven minutes left in second quarter.
About the only thing that went wrong was Ford committing four penalties, two offensive holding and two false starts. Evan McPherson was called for not getting the opening kick in the legal landing zone inside the 20. For the second straight week, the Bengals gave up points at the halftime gun as Cairo Santos connected on a 44-yard field goal, his third field goal of the half.
The Bengals featured second and third-string defensive players battling for jobs like linebacker Swayze Bozeman, corner Josh Newton and safety Russ Yeast and they held their own against Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who played just one series. With Williams starting the game at the Chicago 40, he was driving down the field before a holding call stalled the Bears just outside the red zone, highlighted by a nice defensive cover from DJ Ivey on Rome Odunze on third down. The Bengals managed to hold the Bears to a field goal and Williams’ night was done after one series, completing 2-of-5 passes for 28 yards.
Sean Clifford started the second half and looked impressive, leading the Bengals on a six-play, 70-yard drive, capped by a nice back-foot toss to the corner of the end zone to Noah Thomas for a 24-9 lead. Clifford finished 10-of-15 for 126 yards. Clifford’s only mistake was an interception he threw on a deep out for Jack Endries that was picked off by Skylar Thomas with 12 minutes left.
Bears back-up QB Case Keenum was 9-of-17 for 119 yards.
The Bengals conclude the preseason next Friday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, when none of the starters or draft picks are expected to play.
Other takeaways:
* Evan McPherson with a 25-yard FG but a rare mistake of not getting the opening kick into the landing zone inside the 20. McPherson was flagged for the same in joint practice Thursday, though video indicated it landed just inside the 20.
* Second straight week, Bengals give up points at the halftime gun. Santos with his third FG from 44 yards.
* Every rookie draft pick played with the exception of Cashius Howell.
* DTs Landon Robinson and Howard Cross III had good moments of push, each with a batted pass at LOS.
* Robinson also had a sack in the third quarter and saluted the crowd in celebration, a tribute to his Naval service academy time. He had another half-sack with Isaiah Foskey in the fourth quarter.
* Josh Newton got beat for a 36-yard completion to Jahdae Walker down left sideline.
* Ja’Sir Taylor in coverage on 4th down incomplete pass as JP Richardson couldn’t hold on.
