CHICAGO — With Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco and Cincinnati’s other starters and key reserves held out in street clothes, 40-year-old veteran quarterback Josh Johnson took control Saturday night, guiding the Bengals to a 27-9 preseason win over the Chicago Bears.
Johnson set the tone immediately, steering a 14-play, 67-yard opening drive against Chicago’s first-team defense. He later added two touchdown passes in the closing minutes of the second quarter, pushing Cincinnati (2-0) to an 11-point halftime cushion before his night was done.
The well-traveled quarterback finished 15 of 23 for 156 yards. His scoring throws included a 17-yard connection with rookie wide receiver Colbie Young and a 6-yard touchdown to veteran tight end Tanner Hudson with 23 seconds remaining in the first half.
For Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears’ starters made brief preseason debuts, appearing only for the opening possession before giving way to the backups.
Williams completed 2 of 5 passes for 28 yards. His three incompletions all came after the Bears (1-1) reached the red zone, only for a holding penalty to back them up into a first-and-20 from the Cincinnati 27-yard line.
The rookie then missed on three straight throws, including an off-target attempt to a wide-open Colston Loveland inside the 10. Cairo Santos salvaged the drive with a 45-yard field goal, giving Chicago an early 3-0 lead.
Santos later connected from 26 and 44 yards but was wide on a 53-yard attempt. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson answered with field goals from 58 and 25 yards.
Case Keenum took over for Williams and played the rest of the first half, completing 9 of 17 passes for 119 yards without a touchdown or an interception.
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.
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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