The 2024 football season is fast approaching and has me super excited! I can’t wait, can you? Since the start of the season makes me happy, we’re gonna take a look at a few of the Cincinnati Bengals Preseason positives. Yea, the positives.
Some might say being positive is hard after losing both games, but I still say there’s still good in those losses. So far, after two games, the preseason is like a rollercoaster. Very up and down. Unfortunately, there’s two big downs, but that’s ok. We still have our heads up. We’ll still wear our orange & black. And as a Bengal fan, you can still Roar! After Saturday’s loss, I say we can still be positive. Preseason is really only practice, right? We haven’t even seen the team as a whole yet. The Jungle is ready to see it!
Preseason week 2 vs the Chicago Bears
A super soggy Soldier Field just had new sod put in on Thursday after the Metallica concert. It didn’t really help as we got another look, mostly at the Bengals backups. Dax Hill & DJ Turner were the only starters. They’re both fighting for a spot next to Cam Taylor-Britt. So, it was The Caleb Williams and the rest of the Chicago Bears starters Show, playing mostly against the Bengals backups. The first half, the Bengals backups, pretty much held their own. With one exception, a 7-yard TD run by Williams, near the end of the second quarter. But they got three three-and-outs to start the game & held Williams to only 6 of 13 & 75 yards passing for a 64.6 passer rating. Not bad at all.
«Money Mac» Evan McPherson nails a 54-yard FG to cut Bengals deficit to 10-3 vs. Bears did this on the last play of the first half to give us the only 3 points of the game.
But I’m still feeling like there’s a lot of good that came out of that game.
Some more Cincinnati Bengals Preseason positives
Someone I think is a true highlight is undrafted FA LB Maema Njongmeta. Having 10 tackles against the Tampa Bay backups in week 1. Then 4 of his next 7 tackles against Caleb Williams and the Chicago starters in week 2. He’s trying so hard to make that 53-man roster. I’m really rooting for him.
We’ve also seen rookie DT Kris Jenkins getting better after a slow training camp. Love to see it! He said he’s starting to analyze the game & read how the offense does things. Hope to see more of it this week.
DT Kris Jenkins celebrates after a sack. 8/17/2024
Photo: Ryan Meyer/ Cincinnati Bengals
As for rookie WR Jermaine Burton, he was used as a punt & kick returner against Chicago on Saturday. Having two kick returns go for 58 yards. And a 24-yard punt return called back. Burton said «I loved it! I really think I could be good at it». Duke Tobin, Director of Player Personnel, said «The return game would be a good option for him if he isn’t going to be used heavily on offense.» Not really what I originally thought he would be, but maybe that’ll be good for him & the Bengals.
And C Matt Lee & Jaxson Kirkland were also two players that did well against the Bears first team offense. Things are looking up for the offensive line this year. At least after two games of the preseason that is. Hopefully that’ll translate into the regular season.
The last preseason game before the regular season starts is Thursday.
I’m so excited to see the backups on the field again. This time under the lights, in the Jungle! It’s their very last shot to make the roster against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. I can hear «Welcome to the Jungle» in my head now. What players will step it up?
Who made the team and who didn’t, will be the new headlines of the coming week, and I’m here for it!
Who are you excited to see before the season begins? Or even after it starts? I know I have a few! One might be a Mario character?
So, make sure you’re following me and the rest of the amazing ladies @OnTheFieldFF and onthefieldff.com for more awesomeness about football and more!!
