Let’s be real for a second. Most NFL fans treat the month of August like background noise. You’ve probably got the Cincinnati Bengals preseason games running on a secondary screen while you’re checking your fantasy baseball waivers or firing up the grill. It’s understandable. The starters play maybe a series, the play-calling is vanilla enough to put a toddler to sleep, and the final score matters exactly zero percent to the AFC North standings. But if you think these games are "meaningless," you're actually missing the most high-stakes drama in professional sports. For a guy like Joe Burrow, it’s a rhythm check. For the guy fighting to be the fifth wide receiver or the backup long snapper, it’s a career-or-couch moment.
The atmosphere at Paycor Stadium changes during these three weeks. It’s less about the roar of the "Who Dey" chant and more about the quiet, intense observation of the scouting department. Cincinnati has built a reputation under Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin for finding "their guys" in the late rounds and undrafted free agency. Think about it. Players like linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (who stayed in Cincy for college) or various defensive back projects often have their entire futures decided in a single Thursday night game against the Colts or Bears. Preseason isn't just a warm-up; it’s a brutal, televised job interview where one missed assignment on a kickoff return can end a dream.
The Burrow Factor and the "Protect the Franchise" Philosophy
Every time Joe Burrow takes a snap in a preseason game, the entire city of Cincinnati collectively holds its breath. We’ve seen the calf strains. We’ve seen the wrist injuries. The Cincinnati Bengals preseason games are often defined more by who doesn't play than who does. Zac Taylor has evolved his approach over the last few years, leaning heavily toward the Sean McVay school of thought: keep your stars in bubble wrap.
Is it the right move? Honestly, it depends on who you ask. Traditionalists argue that the offense looks "rusty" in Week 1 because they haven't seen live fire. They point to sluggish starts in previous seasons as proof. On the flip side, the analytics guys will tell you that the risk of a season-ending injury in a game that doesn't count is statistically unjustifiable. Usually, the Bengals settle for "joint practices." These are those controlled, intense sessions where the Bengals might host a team like the Green Bay Packers or the Rams for a few days of scrimmaging. Coaches love these because they can script the situations—third-and-long, red zone, two-minute drill—without the chaotic injury risk of a full-speed preseason game.
When you see Burrow out there for a single series in the preseason opener, pay attention to the offensive line's footwork. That’s the real story. It doesn't matter if they score a touchdown. What matters is if the pocket stays clean against another team’s "ones." If the line is folding against backup pass rushers, Cincinnati has a long winter ahead of them.
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Roster Bubbles and the Battle for the 53
The real meat of the Cincinnati Bengals preseason games happens in the second half. This is where things get weird and wonderful. You’ll see jersey numbers in the 40s and 80s that you don’t recognize. These are the guys fighting for the final three or four spots on the 53-man roster.
Take the wide receiver room, for example. We know Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the alphas. But who is the reliable veteran presence or the blazing-fast rookie who can blow the top off a defense? During the preseason, the coaching staff is looking for "special teams demons." If you’re a backup linebacker and you aren't making tackles on the punt coverage unit, you’re basically packing your bags.
- The Quarterback Carousel: While the starter is set, the battle for QB2 is massive. Whether it's Jake Browning proving his legendary 2023 run wasn't a fluke or a new developmental prospect, these reps are gold.
- Cornerback Depth: In the AFC North, you can never have enough DBs. Preseason is where you see if a fourth-round pick can actually track a ball in the air against NFL speed.
- The Trenches: Watch the backup nose tackle. If he’s getting pushed five yards off the ball by a second-string center, he’s not making the cut.
It’s a numbers game. Usually, the Bengals go into the preseason with about 90 players. By the end, they have to slash that to 53. That means 37 people are losing their jobs in a single afternoon. When you watch a guy celebrate a sack in the fourth quarter of a preseason game, he’s not being "extra"—he’s celebrating the fact that he might have just earned a $700,000 paycheck instead of going back to working at a gym.
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If you want to actually enjoy these games, stop looking at the scoreboard. Seriously. Ignore it. Instead, pick one position group and watch them for an entire quarter.
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Check out the interior offensive line. Are they communicating? Do they pass off stunts and twists correctly? In the Cincinnati Bengals preseason games, the "process" is way more important than the "result." A quarterback might throw an interception, but if it was because a rookie receiver ran the wrong route at the top of his break, the coaches aren't blaming the QB. They’re marking a red X next to that receiver’s name in the meeting room.
Also, keep an eye on the "bubble" players who seem to always be around the ball. There’s a certain "nose for the football" that coaches talk about. It’s hard to teach. If a guy is consistently making tackles on special teams or forcing fumbles, the Bengals will find a way to keep him, even if his "measurables" aren't elite.
The Evolution of the Preseason Schedule
It’s worth noting that the NFL shifted from four games to three a couple of years ago. This changed everything. Now, the "dress rehearsal" game—the one where the starters used to play the first half—doesn't really exist in a fixed slot. Some coaches use the second game for that, while others use the third.
For the Bengals, the third game is often a "young guy showcase." It’s almost entirely players who are destined for the practice squad or the waiver wire. This is actually a scouting opportunity for the other 31 teams. Scouts from the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns are watching these Bengals tapes specifically to see who Cincinnati might cut. If a Bengals defensive end looks great but doesn't make their deep roster, another team will snap him up within 24 hours of the deadline.
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Realities of the Paycor Stadium Experience
If you’re actually going to the games in Cincinnati, the vibe is different. It’s cheaper, sure. The tickets are a fraction of the price of a regular-season game against the Chiefs. It’s a great way to bring kids who might not handle the intensity (or the cold) of a December game.
But you have to manage expectations. You aren't going to see a sophisticated offensive scheme. Lou Anarumo, the Bengals' defensive coordinator, isn't going to show his exotic blitz packages. He’s going to run basic "Cover 2" or "Cover 3" because he doesn't want to give anything away on tape. The goal is to see if the players can win their one-on-one matchups. Can the defensive tackle beat the man in front of him using just strength and technique? That’s the question being answered.
Actionable Insights for the Next Preseason Cycle
If you want to be the smartest person at your sports bar or in your group chat, do these three things before the next slate of Cincinnati Bengals preseason games:
- Print the "Unofficial" Depth Chart: The Bengals PR staff releases this before the first game. Look at the guys listed as 3rd and 4th string. Those are the players who will actually be playing the most minutes. Learn their names.
- Follow the Beat Writers: People like Paul Dehner Jr. or Charlie Goldsmith are at training camp every single day. They’ll tell you which undrafted free agent is "flashing" in practice. When that guy makes a play in the preseason game, you’ll know why it matters.
- Watch the Punter: I know, it sounds boring. But the Bengals have had some interesting battles at punter and kicker over the years. In a close game, field position is everything. A 60-yard punt with a 4.5-second hang time in the preseason can be the difference between a division title and a missed playoff spot in January.
The preseason is a puzzle. Each game is a piece. You won't see the whole picture until Week 1 of the regular season, but if you look closely at the edges, you can see exactly how this Bengals team is being built. It’s about grit, depth, and finding the next hidden gem in the Queen City.
Next time the preseason rolls around, don't just leave it on as background noise. Watch the left tackle's hands. Watch the backup safety's angles. You'll realize pretty quickly that for the guys on the field, these are the most important games of their lives.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan:
- Monitor the Waiver Wire: Right after the final preseason game, check the NFL transaction wire. See which Bengals players get "waived/injured" or signed to the practice squad.
- Evaluate Snap Counts: Look at the post-game stats for "snaps played." A high snap count for a veteran usually means they are on the roster bubble and the coaches are giving them one last chance to prove themselves.
- Check Local Broadcasts: Often, the preseason games feature local Cincy legends in the booth. They provide much better insight into the local roster battles than a national broadcast would.