An offseason that went against the grain
Cincinnati wrapped up its preseason with three wins from three, beating Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia. It is the Bengals’ first perfect preseason since 2006, back when Carson Palmer was still firing passes in Ohio. That stat means nothing once the real thing starts. What it does hint at, though, is something about this roster.
The franchise did not spend its offseason on the offensive side of the ball. It engineered a trade to land Dexter Lawrence II, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. It signed safety Bryan Cook, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and defensive end Boye Mafe. In the draft, it took pass rusher Cashius Howell in the second round and cornerback Tacario Davis in the third.
A team that used to cover up its defensive holes by lighting up the scoreboard has changed its tune.
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Burrow and an attack still intact
The other half has barely changed. Joe Burrow heads into his seventh season with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the outside, and Chase Brown in the backfield. The quarterback has been talking up a sense of urgency in public, which says plenty about how this locker room views its own talent.
The preseason knocks appear to be behind them. Chase (left knee hyperextension), Higgins (heel), Dax Hill (hamstring) and Shemar Stewart (left knee) are expected to play on Sunday.
“It just gives you a headache,” Todd Bowles said of the opposing offense. “Getting ready for players like that is exciting once you’re in it, but they’ve been a headache for everybody.”
Tampa Bay and its opening-day streak
The Buccaneers come in having won two of their three preseason games and carrying a streak they are keen to protect: five straight wins in Week 1. Zac Robinson, the new offensive coordinator, is now running Baker Mayfield’s attack.
Up front, the line gets Tristan Wirfs back after he sat out through the offseason with a hamstring injury, and Cody Mauch, who missed 15 games last season with a meniscus tear. Emeka Egbuka, who had been dealing with a toe issue, trained normally on Wednesday.
The second level of the defense has been completely rebuilt. Alex Anzalone takes over the green dot, the helmet-linked role that marks out the defensive boss. Rueben Bain Jr., a first-round pick out of Miami, is expected to make an immediate impact on the edge.
“I don’t think you can put too much weight on that,” Bowles said of the opening-day streak. “Every year is different. We’ve just started well in recent seasons, and it doesn’t mean anything for Sunday.”
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