Bengals Bytes (8/21): A little Luck

Bengals kicker Mike Nugent says he was 'terrible' after missing FG
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Mike Nugent didn't mince words when asked about his performance in Thursday's preseason game against the Lions. Nugent missed a PAT attempt and a 45-yard field goal in the Bengals' 30-14 win, but also made a 50-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Veteran move
There have been much tougher moments for Paul Alexander in his 22 seasons coaching the Bengals offensive line. Try 1996, when three first-time players at their positions on the line started the opener. Or ten years later when he started three different left tackles in the first six games and one was a 295-pound left guard and the other was a second-round rookie by the name of Andrew Whitworth.

Doc: Collinsworth's venture changing how fans look at football
Cris Collinsworth sits at a long, narrow table on the 5th floor of a renovated building in Over The Rhine, looking at numbers and video he only half-understands. Collinsworth isn’t a stat freak or a numbers junkie or a guy who ties his self-worth to the success of his fantasy team.

Bengals Beat Podcast: Road trip back from Detroit
Enquirer Bengals beat writers Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski react to the Bengals' first win of the preseason by recording the podcast on their drive back from Detroit. We discuss the trials of Mike Nugent, more on the rise of Tyler Boyd, options in the return game, injuries on the offensive line, as well as take questions about PJ Dawson, Margus Hunt and Jeremy Hill.

AFC North Bytes

Harbaugh on Ravens run defense: 'We need to dominate up front'
Ravens coach John Harbaugh is expecting more from his run defense once the regular season begins.

Film Study: Browns’ 1st offensive series vs. Falcons is a three-and-out
For the preseason, I am going to pilot test doing a couple of posts to highlight each play of a certain series of the game, either on offense or defense. I’ll start with the Cleveland Browns’ first offensive series against the Atlanta Falcons, and then follow-up on Sunday with their scoring drives and perhaps a defensive series. Note: All-22 footage is not available for preseason games.

Thoughts about Green and Bell
Ladarius Green said Saturday that the rumors surrounding him being held back in this preseason by a concussion or concussion-like symptoms are unfounded. He also said speculation that he was considering retirement are pretty silly as well.

Random Bytes

Every Andrew Luck play from Preseason Week 2
Check out every throw and run Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the 2016 NFL Preseason.

Denver Broncos quarterback battle remains wide open
Expect the Denver Broncos' quarterback competition to continue into the third preseason game without a clear frontrunner. In his debut as a preseason starter Saturday night, Trevor Siemian marred an otherwise solid performance with a pick-six when he failed to account for San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid on a telegraphed slant pass to Demaryius Thomas.

What we learned: Jadeveon Clowney dominates
Is Jadeveon Clowney poised to translate his prodigious physical gifts into an overdue breakout season in Houston? He offered promising signs in a dominant performance versus the New Orleans Saints' overwhelmed offensive tackles Saturday night.

Bortles sharp early; Bucs rally to beat Jaguars 27-21
The Jacksonville Jaguars talk every day about starting fast. In two preseason games, they've been able to experience it. Blake Bortles threw two touchdowns passes in three drives and gave the Jaguars an early lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rallied to win 27-21 in the preseason Saturday night.