Bengals Bytes (8/27): Early impact

Bengals at Redskins Game Notes
The Cincinnati Bengals step onto the big stage this week with a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Washington Redskins at FedExField that is televised nationally on FOX-TV. It’s the third exhibition contest for the Bengals, who are 1-1 midway through preseason after suffering a 30-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday in Cincinnati. First-teamers typically see their most exhibition playtime in the third preseason game. So, for coaches, the game will provide the opportunity to develop the cohesion of the veteran starters, and to test combinations of younger players with those first-teamers.

Malone's quiet impact
They may end up not writing a word about rookie wide receiver Josh Malone during and after Sunday’s dress rehearsal in Washington (4:30 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 19), otherwise known as the Bengals’ third pre-season game. After all, there’s a ton of other stuff on the table, such as the Carlo (Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther) and Johnny (Washington head coach Jay Gruden) re-match with the old Cincy friends. Gruden’s offense went overseas and overtime last season in Wembley to carve up Guenther’s defense for 546 yards that included quarterback Kirk Cousins’ 458 for the most passing yards against the Bengals in ten years. The toughest thing about that one is the defense couldn’t close it out with a 20-10 lead and about 18 minutes left in that 27-27 finish.

7 things to watch in Cincinnati Bengals game vs. Redskins
For the third time in four years the Cincinnati Bengals will play their “dress rehearsal” third preseason game on national television when they visit the Washington Redskins at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The game, which will unofficially break the 27-27 tie the teams played to 301 days ago in London, likely will mark the last time the majority of the starters will play before the regular-season opener due to the quick turnaround for the preseason finale Thursday at Indianapolis.

Bengals vs Redskins: What to look for in Week 3 action
It’s not about the preseason record. Yes, W’s look good as the final result. But, the overall intent is to find out who stays and who gets to go on vacation early. When the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins do battle on Sunday, it should be a game that looks and feels like a regular season showdown. Anything less from either team is a cause for concern.

Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Prediction NFL Media
The guys at Pro Football Talk wanna have a beer with Geno Atkins. “Let’s get to know him better,’’ they write. Yeah. Let’s. One small problem: Geno might be a big fan of hops and barley malt, but he’s not exactly Mr. Interview. Pens are stilettos, tape recorders grenades. And cameras? Oh, man. Cameras are the entire Russian Army, defending Stalingrad in 1942. But if you score a craftie or two with Mr. Atkins, guys, do let us know.

Bengals have to get mentally and physically tougher
When talking about the Cincinnati Bengals, the issue of toughness is rarely one that sneaks to the forefront. There are players on the team who are literally branded with the tough moniker. There’s the mountain of a man named Geno Atkins. Then there’s the fierce determination of Carlos Dunlap. A new face in that crowd is Nick Vigil. And how could anyone forget Vontaze Burfict?

AFC North Bytes

Bills vs. Ravens - Game Recap
The winless Buffalo Bills sent home defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, lost quarterback Tyrod Taylor to injury and made far too many mistakes against the Baltimore Ravens, who remained undefeated in the preseason with a 13-9 victory Saturday night. Though starting quarterback Joe Flacco has yet to take a snap at camp this summer, the Ravens (3-0) have relied heavily on their retooled defense to win.

NFL Preseason Week 3 Roundup: Kizer Has Earned Chance to Shine in Cleveland
What happens in the preseason matters. Injuries can change a team. Just ask the New England Patriots. How an individual performs during these exhibitions can build or destroy their confidence. Just ask Blake Bortles. The third week of NFL preseason reveals the most regarding each franchise's regular-season plans. But even those plans remain guarded.

Tolzien effective as Colts edge Steelers 19-15
Scott Tolzien has spent most of training camp watching Stephen Morris inch closer and closer in the race to be the Week 1 Colts starting quarterback if Andrew Luck's surgically repaired right shoulder doesn't heal in time. Tolzien may have provided just enough breathing room to get the nod in a 19-15 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. Tolzien led a pair of long scoring drives while completing 7 of 10 passes for 123 yards against Pittsburgh's first-team defense. Morris finished 12 of 16 for 143 yards after coming in, mostly against the backups.

Random Bytes

Spencer Ware Reportedly Will Miss Time with Knee Injury; LCL, PCL Damaged
The Kansas City Chiefs will have to play without running back Spencer Ware for some time after he suffered injuries to both his LCL and PCL, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Ware was carted off the field during Friday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. A time frame for the injury has not yet been determined.

Chargers vs. Rams: Live Updates, Highlights and Reaction for NFL Preseason 2017
The Los Angeles Chargers edged their new crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, 21-19 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was efficient and effective, taking advantage of weapons such as Travis Benjamin, Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen to find the end zone. The Rams' Jared Goff, by contrast, looked shaky, losing a fumble and throwing a pick. The Rams were missing many of their top weapons, including running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Tavon Austin, so Goff's earlier preseason success should continue to stand out.

Giants Beat Jets 32-31 in Preseason Action After Missed 2-Point Conversion
The battle of MetLife Stadium ended with the New York Giants earning a 32-31 win over the New York Jets. Although the Jets overcame a 29-3 halftime deficit to nearly pull even—with Bryce Petty easily outplaying Christian Hackenberg—a failed two-point conversion with 86 seconds remaining cost them the chance at victory.