An MVP Rally And A Rookie Show

A look at the Bengals’ roster after their Thursday night preseason opener in Philadelphia.

Burrow, who came in fourth in the NFL MVP vote last season, began his campaign with a brisk rally against the Eagles’ backup defenders while sifting nine of his first 10 passes for two touchdowns and 123 yards in the season’s first 12 minutes.

When you stop to realize that two of his bigger weapons, tight ends Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant, didn’t play, it gets you thinking this offense has the potential to be historic. Backups or no backups.

Browning got the two quarters after that reserved for the primary backup before the No. 3 Ridder made his Bengals debut in the final 10 minutes. In generating 10 points, Ridder showed how he led the University of Cincinnati to glory with resourcefulness and a knack of using his feet to turn negatives into positives.

Tee Higgins (6), Ja’Marr Chase (5), Andrei Iosivas (3), Charlie Jones (3), Jermaine Burton (2), Kendric Pryor (2), Mitchell Tinsley (2), Isaiah Williams (2), Cole Burgess (1), Jamoi Mayes (R), Jordan Moore (R), Rashod Owens (R)

One of the feel-good stories of the night is Jones, coming off two surgeries and looking terrific with three catches for 41 yards. Burton’s high-stepping 32-yard punt return shows he’s headed in the right direction. Did you see Iosivas’ perimeter block spring Chase for a first down screen?

Everybody has been watching Tinsley since Burrow mentioned his name last week, and he keeps showing why. On Thursday, it was a 15-yard catch over the middle and a top five Pro Football Focus team receiving grade for the game. Only two guys named Chase, Jones and two-touchdown Tanner Hudson were ahead of him. If they keep six, that’s quite a battle for the last spot.

Yes, Brooks showed up as advertised. He’s supposed to be an accomplished pass blocker for a rookie back, and PFF promptly graded him the club’s second-best pass blocker of the night behind only left tackle Orlando Brown, Jr. Throw in 10 carries for 28 yards, and he looks Rudi Johnson-rugged with Giovani Bernard hands. Plus, he had a tackle in the kicking game.

The trio of Brown, Perine and Brooks looks impenetrable. Brightwell had quite a night. His 71-yard kick return got called back, and he couldn’t contain the Eagles’ 46-yard punt return. Milton, last year’s practice squadder, didn’t play and may get a shot in Washington.