It was a relief to see so many Bengals starters play well in “the dress rehearsal” of the preseason. Cincinnati took it to Buffalo with a 26-13 win and there were many positives to take away.
As usual, we do weekly awards here at Cincy Jungle, so check these out, cast your vote and sound off on your winners for each category!
Bengals Most Valuable Player:
Andy Dalton: The team’s starting signal-caller was great on Sunday, leading the team to 17 points in just a quarter and a half of work. He finished 11-of-16 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, en route to a Bengals’ first half domination of Buffalo.
John Ross: The second-year wide receiver has been slowly taking steps forward this offseason, but had his coming out party on Sunday. He finished with two catches for 66 yards, including a 57-yard bomb-and-jive for a score.
Carl Lawson: Many pass-rushers from the Bengals got to Buffalo quarterbacks with ease on Sunday. Lawson did it most frequently, racking up 2.5 sacks on Josh Allen. The second-year edge rusher is poised for a breakout season in 2018.
Andrew Billings: Speaking of dominance up front, the big nose tackle continued his outstanding preseason. Even though he wasn’t known for his pass-rushing prowess at Baylor, he’s flashed more of it this summer. He had 1.5 sacks and two total tackles on Sunday.
Randy Bullock: Like it or not, the veteran kicker is showing why the Bengals apparently are out of a kicking competition. Bullock racked up 11 of the Bengals’ 26 total points, including three field goals (46, 37 and 40 yards) and two extra points.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ MVP in their preseason Week 3 win?
This poll is closed
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51%
QB Andy Dalton
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5%
WR John Ross
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18%
DE/LB Carl Lawson
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20%
DT Andrew Billings
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1%
K Randy Bullock
-
1%
Other
Bengals’ Unsung Hero of the Week:
As you know by know, we also like to honor some of the players whose contributions may go overlooked in the squad’s performance. Who was this week’s Unsung Hero of the Week?
A.J. Green: Most of the talk was on Ross, but Green continues to look to be a dominant force as he enters his eighth NFL season. He finished with four catches for 50 yards and a score.
Matt Barkley: The veteran is fighting for the team’s backup job and looked pretty sharp on Sunday. He was firing some nice strikes in the middle of the field, but did throw an interception that wasn’t really his fault as it bounced off Auden Tate’s hands. He completed nine of his 16 attempts for 112 yards and the pick.
Tyler Boyd: The versatile wideout made some nice plays for multiple quarterbacks on Sunday. Though he didn’t get into the end zone, he moved the sticks often with four catches for 54 yards.
Geno Atkins: As usual, Atkins shined in the middle of the defense. Though he was only credited with a half-sack, his play opened things up greatly for Lawson and Billings.
Mason Schreck: The team’s backup tight end had a fumble that harmlessly landed out of bounds, but he had other nice plays on Sunday afternoon. He finished second on the team with 58 receiving yards on three catches.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ Unsung Hero of the Week in their preseason win over the Bills?
This poll is closed
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13%
WR A.J. Green
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47%
DT Geno Atkins
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2%
QB Matt Barkley
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20%
WR Tyler Boyd
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14%
TE Mason Schreck
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1%
Other
Bengals Play of the Week:
Dalton-to-Ross 57-yard touchdown:
We get the feeling this one will garner votes for more than one reason. Yes, the big play and juke moves Ross put on two defenders was amazing, but this play might be a symbol of what may be coming from the second-year wideout.
Bengals WR John Ross is a human joystick. pic.twitter.com/YVBKEDnRqn
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 26, 2018
Dalton-to-Green 14-yard touchdown:
While it wasn’t as explosive as the Ross touchdown, it was a pretty big nail in the Bills’ coffin, as the Bengals went up 14-0. Green leaped and garnered one of is trademark plucks for a touchdown.
Bengals take a 14-0 lead on this really boring A.J. Green reception with 4:32 remaining in the first. They look good. Take em out. pic.twitter.com/qParyb9Nqv
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) August 26, 2018
Combination sack from Carl Lawson and Geno Atkins on Josh Allen:
Cincinnati’s defensive front was dominant on Sunday, racking up five first half sacks. Atkins and Lawson particularly terrorized Allen and his offensive line, combining for three sacks—one of which is diagnosed below:
#Bengals’ Carl Lawson and Geno Atkins are #good.
— Austin Gayle (@AustinGayle_PFF) August 26, 2018
More news at 11. pic.twitter.com/BAi1J6o5R7
Poll
What gets your vote for the Bengals’ Play of the Week in their 26-13 win over the Bills?
This poll is closed
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82%
Andy Dalton 57-yard touchdown pass to John Ross
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0%
Andy Dalton 14-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green
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16%
Quarterback sack by Carl Lawson and Geno Atkins
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0%
Other