Cincinnati Bengals Final Preseason Takeaways vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their preseason with all the enthusiasm of a Monday morning staff meeting, falling 41-14 to the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. While preseason games typically mean about as much as a chocolate teapot, this performance left plenty of questions heading into the regular season.

Desmond Ridder’s Struggles Continue

Desmond Ridder started under center for Cincinnati, and if this was his audition for a backup role, he might want to consider updating his resume. Ridder threw an early interception that Daniel Scott returned for a touchdown, putting the Bengals in a 10-0 hole before most fans had finished their first beer.

The former Atlanta quarterback looked hesitant in the pocket and struggled with decision-making throughout his stint. When your quarterback is getting passes batted down and tossing pick-sixes in a meaningless preseason game, that’s not exactly the confidence booster you’re looking for heading into September.

Riley Leonard Shows Promise for Indianapolis

On the flip side, Colts rookie quarterback Riley Leonard looked like he belonged on an NFL field. The former Notre Dame signal-caller completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, showing the poise and decision-making that had Indianapolis fans nodding approvingly.

Leonard’s best connection came with veteran receiver Laquon Treadwell, who hauled in six passes for 116 yards and a score. The chemistry between the two was evident, with Leonard finding Treadwell repeatedly throughout the first half for chunk gains.

Bengals Defense Gets Bulldozed

Cincinnati’s backup defense looked about as sturdy as wet cardboard against Indianapolis’ ground attack. Ulysses Bentley carved up the Bengals for multiple scores, including a rushing touchdown that extended the Colts’ lead to 31-7 in the third quarter.

The defensive struggles weren’t limited to run defense. Coleman Owen, a local product, caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jason Bean to push the lead to 38-7. At that point, even the most optimistic Bengals fans were probably reaching for the remote.

Injury Concerns Mount for Cincinnati

As if the scoreboard wasn’t depressing enough, the Bengals dealt with multiple injury scares. Wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who has already missed significant time this summer, appeared to aggravate something after a punt return and was seen limping on the sideline.

Later in the game, offensive tackle Caleb Etienne went down with what appeared to be a leg injury, though he was able to walk off under his own power. With final roster cuts looming, these injuries add another layer of complexity to an already challenging preseason.

Bright Spots Were Few and Far Between

Kendall Milton provided one of the few highlights for Cincinnati, averaging over 10 yards per carry and capping a rare successful drive with a rushing touchdown. The running back showed vision and burst through the holes, giving the coaching staff something positive to evaluate on film.

Late in the game, Quali Conley punched in a garbage-time touchdown with 14 seconds remaining, but by then most fans had already started planning their Sunday grocery runs.

What This Means Moving Forward

While preseason results should be taken with a grain of salt, this performance raises legitimate concerns about Cincinnati’s depth. The backup quarterback situation remains murky, the defense looked vulnerable, and key players are dealing with injury issues.

For Indianapolis, the performance provided validation for several roster bubble players. Spencer Shrader looked solid at kicker, Coleman Owen continued his strong preseason, and Leonard showed he can handle the pressure of NFL action.

Both teams now turn their attention to final roster cuts, due by Tuesday afternoon. For the Bengals, Saturday’s performance did little to make those decisions any easier.