A final preseason game highlighted with backups and bubble players is translating into a game that feels more like the final period in school just before letting out for the weekend. With over a minute remaining in the first quarter, Gradkowski badly overthrows Mohamed Sanu on a play that could defined as miscommunication. Peerman three-yard run and a Trevor Robinson false start (everyone moved except for Robinson) later, Gradkowski dumps off to Peerman on third-and-12 from Cincinnati's 40-yard line with six seconds remaining in the first quarter. Peerman expertly splits a pair of tacklers and crosses the Colts 44-yard line for 17 yards, giving Cincinnati a new set of downs.
After being dropped for a one-yard loss, Peerman exploded up the middle on consecutive runs picking up 22 yards setting up a second-and-one from the Colts 22-yard line. Gradkowski throws a rainbow down the left sidelines into Marvin Jones hands into the end zone. As Jones falls to the turf, the ball flails out of his hands for an incomplete.
Gradkowski threw an incomplete on third down setting up a fourth-and-one with 12:56 remaining in the second quarter.
The quarterback takes the shotgun snap, angles his feet to his right and throws a fast ball high and in front of Mohamed Sanu, who stretches his body and comes down with the first down reception.
No-gain followed by a defensive offsides sets up second-and-five from the Colts 12-yard line. Dan Herron tried booming through a congested line of scrimmage, pushing to the nine-yard line. Gradkowski takes the shotgun snap, throws a back-shoulder pass to Marvin Jones, who turns, grabs the football and strafes into the end zone for the touchdown.
Bengals take a 10-0 lead. Jones now leads the Cincinnati Bengals with two touchdown receptions.