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Welcome to a new weekly segment, The Action Five, where we review the top five plays from the Cincinnati Bengals game that week. This week's episode features some unfamiliar faces, like quarterback Jeff Driskel and defensive end Chris Smith, because that’s what the preseason is all about.
Check out the following video to see which play we think was best and review the options:
Jeff Driskel, highlight machine. That's not a phrase you'd expect to hear before Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But here we are, still marveling at his performance days later. Driskel looked absolutely dynamic on an 18 yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put the Bengals up for good. He also threw an 8-yard touchdown strike to rookie wide receiver Josh Malone later in the quarter.
Meanwhile, rookie running back Joe Mixon carved up the Bucs both rushing and catching the ball out of the backfield. His 11-yard catch from AJ McCarron was a thing of beauty, a display of both his elusiveness and power.
Three defensive plays deserve consideration: early in the fourth quarter, defensive end Chris Smith nailed quarterback Ryan Griffin, his second quarterback pressure in as many plays; late in the second quarter rookie defensive end Jordan Willis got to Griffin for a seven yard sack thanks to perfect (or perhaps somewhat early) timing; and rookie defensive back Demetrious Cox intercepted Griffin and followed it up with a 37 yard return to seal the game in the final period.
Poll
What was the best play of the Bengals first preseason game?
This poll is closed
-
59%
Jeff Driskel touchdown run
(155 votes) -
20%
Joe Mixon 11 yard catch
(52 votes) -
8%
Chris Smith QB pressure
(23 votes) -
5%
Jordan Willis sack
(14 votes) -
4%
Demetrious Cox interception and return
(12 votes) -
1%
Other (share in comments)
(3 votes)