Preseason Signals

Burrow leads a productive yet imperfect preseason showing as Cincinnati eyes cleaner play.

Burrow says Bengals offense must improve after two TDs on two drives

Joe Burrow led the Bengals first string through two series in Thursday night’s preseason opener. Both drives ended in touchdown passes for Burrow, and after an incomplete first throw he finished 9-for-9 for 123 yards with a third touchdown pass negated by a chop block penalty. Chase caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Tanner Hudson added a touchdown from Burrow and another from backup Desmond Ridder. Cincinnati played its starters on offense, but the Eagles rested several defensive players, making it hard to judge how the unit would perform in a full game. Still, the sequence suggested the offense is clicking in spots and Burrow looked sharp on multiple throws.

Burrow said the night showed promise but also a reminder of work to do. The Bengals need to clean up penalties and avoid miscues if they want to translate preseason success into the regular season. The performance highlighted potential cohesion between Burrow and his target group, even as the evaluation was tempered by limited defensive pressure and substitutions from both teams.

The glimpse of chemistry between Burrow and his receivers matters for a team trying to set a tone after last season. A clean, high-percentage approach could push the Bengals ahead of expectations, especially if the line contributes less to the pressure and Burrow can stretch the field with confidence.

Yet this is still a preview. The risk is that early optimism from a strong preseason showing may mask areas that need real work, notably penalties and execution under fire. Cincinnati will need more complete games in the next two exhibitions to confirm the path to a sharper offense and to prove that the early spark can endure when the games count.

Highlights

The Bengals have a path to a sharper offense, but the work begins now.