Man, time sure does fly! It’s hard to believe training camp and the preseason are complete and we are now in a short holding pattern waiting for the regular season to kickoff for the Bengals in a little over a week.
The Bengals had a solid preseason finishing with a 3-1 record. A quick review/recap of the 4 preseason games:
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8/8/13 – Game 1 – at Atlanta Falcons
I attended this game and even though the starters didn’t play much it was good to see the Bengals dominate in every way. Both Josh Johnson and John Skelton looked sharp and each threw a TD pass and no interceptions. Receivers Brandon Tate and Dane Sanzenbacher each caught a touchdown, Sanzenbacher also returned a punt 71 yards late in the 3rd quarter for a touchdown. Rookie RB Giovani Bernard rushed for 28 yards and his first NFL touchdown, Josh Johnson ran for 64 yards and rookie Rex Burkhead had 52 yards on 9 carries. Final: Bengals 34, Falcons 10
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8/17/13 – Game 2 – Tennessee Titans
This game could have been a lot closer but the Titans couldn’t buy a FG as they missed 3 in 5 attempts. Dalton played well in his time in the game after getting roughed up on the opening drive, he lead 2 TD drives including a pretty TD pass to Mohamed Sanu in the 2nd quarter. The Bengals again had a big day running the ball, Herron had 81 yards rushing and a TD and Gio Bernard had 37 yards on 7 carries and a TD as well. Final: Bengals 27, Titans 19
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8/24/13 – Game 3 – at Dallas Cowboys
Game 3 of the preseason is usually considered to be the dress rehearsal and while the first teams shined at times there were too many mistakes on both sides of the ball in this game. The offense turned the ball over 4 times (Dalton & Johnson each threw an INT and the WR’s fumbled twice), Dre Kirkpatrick also had a rough night as he got schooled by Dez Bryant, missed several tackles and was responsible for 2 pass interference penalties. Final: Bengals 18, Cowboys 24
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8/29/13 – Game 4 – Indianapolis Colts
The final preseason game is the last chance for bubble players to show that they should make the team or at least put some good play on film for other teams to see. Dalton and many first teamers were on the field for the opening drive and finished it off with a Giovani Bernard 1 yard TD run. The Bengals got good play from both backup QB’s and again ran the ball well gaining close to 200 yards on the ground. The Bengals looked like the team with the better depth in this one. Final: Bengals 27, Colts 10
Chicago here we come!