Bengals starters click, then sit
Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals offense opened the preseason in perfect fashion, and the defense was almost as impressive Friday,
Andy Dalton and CINCINNATI— the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense opened the preseason in perfect fashion, and the defense was almost as impressive Friday against the New York Giants.
Dalton completed 3 of 3 passes for 31 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown to Mohamed Sanu, on the first series and called it a night after giving the Bengals a 7-0 lead on the way to a 23-10 victory before 39,914 at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I think what everybody saw just shows that we came out fully prepared,” Dalton said. “It’s not thatmuch, but sure, it’s a good start to the season.”
The opening drive covered 52 yards, with four of the first five plays producing first downs.
Jeremy Hill had runs of 10 and 5 yards, and Dalton added completions to Tyler Eifert (12 yards) and A.J. Green (16).
“The first offense did some good things,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “I was particularly pleased with the tempo. And you always want to start your first drive of the year with a touchdown.”
Eli Manning and the Giants’ first-team offense played four series. The first three ended in three-and-outs.
The Giants gained 15 yards on their first nine plays and didn’t get a first down until the final minute of the opening quarter.
A 21-yard pass interference call on cornerback Darqueze Dennard led to the lone Giants touchdown, a 1-yard run by Orleans Darkwa thatmade it 10-7 midway through the second quarter.
Bengals backup quarterback Josh Johnson (11 of 21 for 175 yards) led four scoring drives.
Rookie kicker Tom Obarski made field goals of 46, 25 and 21 yards but hit the upright from 27 yards.
James Wilder Jr. added a 2-yard TD run and was the Bengals’ leading rusher with 53 yards on 14 carries.
Dennard and running backs Rex Burkhead (neck) and Cedric Peerman (knee) left with injuries and did not return.