CHICAGO — Amidst the absence of headliners like Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco, the Cincinnati Bengals handed the spotlight to veteran quarterback Josh Johnson. At 40 years old, Johnson led the Bengals to a commanding 27-9 triumph over the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, proving age is just a number.
From the get-go, Johnson orchestrated an impressive 14-play, 67-yard march against the Bears’ starters, setting the tone early. His evening peaked with a couple of touchdown throws in the second quarter, bolstering Cincinnati’s lead to 11 points before he called it a night.
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Demonstrating precision and poise, Johnson completed 15 of 23 passes, amassing 156 yards. He connected with rookie wideout Colbie Young for a 17-yard score and later with seasoned tight end Tanner Hudson for a 6-yard touchdown, the latter delivered mere seconds before halftime.
The Chicago Bears saw their own season starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, take brief stints on the field for their preseason debuts. They appeared for just the opening series of the match, providing a teaser of what’s to come.
Williams managed a couple of completions from five attempts, totaling 28 yards. However, a holding penalty thwarted their drive after reaching near the Bengals’ end zone, transforming a promising situation into a challenging first-and-20 at Cincinnati’s 27-yard line.
After the back-to-back-to-back incompletions – the second of which was off target to a wide-open Colston Loveland inside the 10 – Cairo Santos kicked a 45-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Santos added field goals of 26 and 44 yards, but missed from 53. Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson hit from 58 and 25 yards.
Case Keenum replaced Williams and played until halftime, going 9 of 17 for 119 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Cincinnati first-year receiver Dohnte Meyers, a Canadian Football League import, continued to make an impressive case for a spot on the 53-man roster with five catches for 41 yards, a 9-yard rush, kick returns of 29 and 25 yards and punt returns of 25 and 9 yards.
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Sean Clifford replaced Johnson in the second half and immediately led a scoring drive, hitting rookie wide receiver Noah Thomas for a 20-yard touchdown that upped the Bengals’ lead to 24-9.
It’s the first time since coach Zac Taylor was hired in 2019 that the Bengals have won more than one preseason game.
Injuries
Bears: LB Nephi Sewell was carted off late in the first half. Nearly all of the Bears players circled the cart to wish him well before he was taken into the locker room.
Bengals: LB Joe Giles-Harris was evaluated for a concussion.
Up next
Bears: Play their final preseason game at Tennessee next Saturday.
Bengals: Finish the preseason on Friday night at Philadelphia.
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