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Bengals Quick Hits: Second Unit Offense Struggles, Josh Newton Has Growing Pains, Bengals Fall To Bears, 27-3

Defense holds Caleb Williams to three 3-and-outs to start, Evan McPherson hits from 54.
Mike PetragliaBy Updated:4 Mins Read
Chicago Bears wide receiver Nsimba Webster (83) is brought down by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta (45) on a catch in the second quarter Saturday. (Sam Greene-Cincinnati Enquirer)

CHICAGO — The Bengals second unit defense made a statement of sorts in their preseason matchup with Caleb Williams and the first team Bears offense. In Saturday’s 27-3 loss to the Bears at Soldier Field, the second-team defense and Evan McPherson’s 54-yard field goal to end the first half were the only highlights.

The Bengals are 0-2 this preseason and are just 2-8-1 in their last 11 dating back to 2021. The Bengals were their own worst enemy, committing 11 penalties for 123 yards, including four on special teams.

The Bengals defense, with Dax Hill and DJ Turner playing the first two series, held up quite well, forcing Williams to three 3-and-outs to start the game.

It wasn’t until former Bearcat receiver Tyler Scott beat Josh Newton downfield for a 42-yard defensive pass interference that the Bears were able to get on the board. Even then, the Bengals defense stiffened, holding to a 37-yard Cairo Santos field goal.

Rome Odunze, who had Chicago’s first first down on a 15-yard end around with 11:30 left in the second quarter, had Chicago’s second big play, a 45-yard sideline route, again over Newton as Caleb Williams scrambled and extended the play.

The Bengals got on the board when Logan Woodside repeated a drill from Thursday in the rain, going 30 yards in seven plays, capped by McPherson’s 54-yarder. Those would be Cincinnati’s only points as the Bengals suffered their worst preseason loss since 34-3 in the 2011 opener in Detroit against the Lions, the first game of the Andy Dalton-A.J. Green era.

Newton’s day of growing pains continued into the third quarter when Dante Pettis beat him on an out move on third-and-goal at the Cincinnati 4, allowing Tyson Bagent to find him for the uncontested touchdown.

Williams then avoided Travis Bell and Cedric Johnson on the pass rush, with Johnson losing his helmet. Williams scrambled for about five seconds before heading upfield for the 7-yard TD and a 10-0 Bears lead.

Logan Woodside looked impressive at points, including a fourth-and-1 conversion early in the second quarter, finding Trayveon Williams on a swing pass for a seven-yard gain.

Woodside drove Cincinnati into the red zone but was intercepted when he couldn’t pick up a corner blitz and was hit as he was passing. The ball flew into the air and was picked off by Amen Ogbongbemiga at the 16.

Other takeaways from Saturday:

  • Second team offensive line started and played into the second half with Woodside. Jaxson Kirkland at left tackle, Nate Gilliam at left guard, Matt Lee at center, Trey Hill at right guard and Cody Ford at right tackle.
  • Good stunt pickup by Woodside and good sit-down in space by Burton for Woodside to spot him on third-and-13 for a first down.
  • With Charlie Jones suiting up for warmups but changing into street clothes for the game, Jermaine Burton got reps on punt returns. He returned two punts for seven yards and two kickoffs for 58 yards.

  • Kris Jenkins Jr. with the sack on Caleb Williams after a nice push up the middle in the second quarter.
  • Ryan Rehkow had a very uneven day. His first punt went for just 42 yards and was returned seven up the middle for a net-35. His second punt traveled 40 yards but rolled another 16 for a net 56, with little hangtime. He recovered with a 51-yarder from the back of the end zone in the third quarter and the return team held Dante Pettis to a minus-3 yard return. But he also had a 43-yard low line drive down the middle with a 17-yard return in the fourth quarter for a net-26. He finished with six punts, 277 yards and average of 46.2 and net average of 40.0.

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    Bengals columnist and multimedia reporter since 2021. Jungle Roar Podcast Host. Reds writer. UC football, UC Xavier basketball. Joined CLNS Media in 2017. Covered Boston sports as a radio broadcaster, reporter, columnist and TV and video talent since 1993. Covered Boston Red Sox for MLB.com from 2000-2007 and the New England Patriots between 1993-2019 for ESPN Radio, WBZ-AM, SiriusXM, WEEI, WEEI.com and CLNS.

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