Ross thrilled to get on field
Rookie’s debut part of strong start as Bengals’ offense finally gets TD.
Things couldn’t have started any better for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday as they jumped out to an early lead with a long touchdown drive, forced three consecutive three-and-outs, then got linebacker Vontaze Burfict’s 62-yard interception return for a touchdown.
But a lost fumble, a botched punt, a missed field goal and backto-back empty red-zone possessions to end the game enabled Washington to escape for a 23-17 preseason victory at FedEx Field.
Here are six things to know about the game:
1. Ross runs: First-round pick John Ross made his debut, and it didn’t take long for him to get involved. The wide receiver lined up in the slot for the offense’s seventh snap of the game, and four plays later he got his first touch when he took a handoff from Andy Dalton on a jet sweep and picked up 8 yards.
Ross was targeted twice in the passing game but did not record a catch.
“It was amazing to be in that atmosphere and be a part of the team and finally get out there and play,” Ross said. “I was out there thinking too much, but I think that’s just a rookie thing. It’s going to be like that for a lit
tle while. I still have a lot of growing to do, a lot of learning to do.”
2. Dominant drive: After not reaching the end zone during the first two preseason games, the first-team offense delivered a statement to start the game.
The Bengals not only drove
87 yards in 15 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 3-yard run by Jeremy Hill, they converted two third-and-long plays along the way and got the ball into the hands of five playmakers.
After a first down was wiped out by offensive pass interference on tight end Tyler Kroft, Dalton hit A.J. Green for a 17-yard gain on third and 13. Later the team faced third and 11 at the Washington 17, and Dalton again went to Green for a 14-yard gain to the 3, with Hill scoring on the next play.
In addition to Ross’ jet sweep, rookie Joe Mixon had a pair of carries to pick up first downs, and wide receiver Tyler Boyd caught a 12-yard pass for another of the seven first downs the Bengals picked up on the drive. 3. Mixon’s miscue: The official statisticians charged Dalton with the lost fumble on the second play of the second possession, but the blame clearly belongs with Mixon.
He appeared to take his eyes off the ball and close his hands before Dalton could put it in his chest. Washing- ton defensive lineman A.J. Francis fell on the ball at the Cincinnati 31, and four plays later Dustin Hopkins hit a 51-yard field goal to give the Redskins their first points.
“I was pleased with things to begin the football game other than Joe’s fumble,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “Offensively we had some good positives. We’ve just got to keep coming. We can’t have a fumble.” 4. Pressure packed: Defensive end Chris Smith made a bid for a roster spot by destroying backup quar- terbacks in the second half of the first two preseason games, but he got a chance to show what he could do against All-Pro tackle Trent Williams on Sunday, and the result was the same.
Smith beat Williams on the third play of the game to record his second sack of the preseason, temporarily moving himself into a share of the team lead with rookie Jordan Willis. But Willis, who also saw some snaps against the Washington starters, reclaimed the lead with a sack of Colt McCoy in the third quarter while forcing a fumble that teammate DeShawn Williams recovered.
Rookie Carl Lawson, who missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury, also got in on the act, beating Williams for a sack of Kirk Cousins late in the first quarter.
“It was good exposure tonight for Carl after not playing last week,” Lewis said. “What he needs to do is get back confidence and so forth and play. He got to play a lot in base defense in the second half, and those are good things and we just got to keep it coming.”
5. Injury issues: Tyler Eifert was a surprise addi- tion to the “not expected to play list” released 90 min- utes before kickoff, but Lewis said after the game the tight end is dealing with a little tendinitis in his knee.
“I told him let’s shut him down for today and keep him ready for when it counts,” Lewis said.
Burfict suffered injuries to his back and head while tack- ling Washington receiver Terrelle Pryor midway through the second quarter. Burfict cleared concussion protocol but did not return.
Hill left with an ankle injury but told reporters after the game he is fine. Running back Cedric Peer- man (elbow) and tight end Mason Schreck (knee) also left the game.
On the other side of the injury issue, running back Giovani Bernard and corner- back Dre Kirkpatrick made their preseason debuts. Bernard carried four times for 25 yards, and Kirkpatrick had one tackle and a quar- terback hit. 6. Kicking conclusion? Randy Bul l ock made a 53-yard field goal, and rookie Jake Elliott missed from 45.
The duo had been a combined 8 of 8 before the Elliott miss. A make would have drawn the Bengals within 17-16 of the Redskins with 5:23 left in the third quarter.
While Elliott appeared to have the edge coming into camp given the fact the Bengals used a fifth-round pick on him, he’s struggled at times in practice and in the intrasquad scrimmage, and Bullock appears to have a discernible edge heading in the final preseason game.
Bullock is 5 of 5 with makes from 54, 53, 49, 47 and 26 yards, and there’s no guar- antee Elliott will get enough chances to make up ground in the preseason finale Thurs- day at Indianapolis.