Week 1 of the preseason in the inaugural GGL season saw the Cincinnati Bengals traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints in a rare AFC North/NFC South battle. A game in which a strong Bengals defense, and a weak Saints special teams unit saw the Bengals coming out on top 38-16.
On offense the Bengals seemed to struggle to find a rhythm with starting QB Joe Burrow and backup QB Davis Mills combining to complete only 7 passes on 21 attempts (33%) for a meager 158 yards. Burrow, who was 3 of 10, did manage to find the endzone twice in his 3 completions, first coming in the form of a Gesicki drop that found its way into backup TE Tanner Hudson's hands, and the second TD to 4th string WR Jermaine Burton on a broken coverage for a 60 yard completion in the 2nd.
The running game also saw it's own successes, as well as short comings. Starting HB Zack Moss carried the ball 13 times for 44 yards and former TE turned FB Erick All caried the ball 5 times for 19 yards in his running back debut. But the biggest surprise of all is the emergence of 2nd year running back Chase Brown. Brown contributed 167 all purpose yards and found the endzone 3 times, in the form of 2 rushing TDs in the 2nd half, and a 99 yard kick return in the 2nd quarter.
The defense consistently found their way into the backfield, producing 6 TFL and 3 sacks. CB Cam Taylor-Britt struggled to cover, giving up 4 catches and 0 deflections. OLB Germaine Pratt was everywhere when he was on the field, producing a game leading 8 tackles, with 2 for loss and a sack, as well as a deflection.
The biggest miss for the Bengals today was K Evan McPherson who was 1/3 on FGs. GM Brady Tinning believes this is just new league jitters, and he should find his stride in due time. Newly signed punter Ryan Anderson managed to not shank the ball, producing a 43.67 yard average on his 3 punts, versus a 24.83 yard average by saints punter Matthew Hayball.
