Joe Burrow & the Bengals starters played the Eagles on Aug. 7 in a new preseason strategy. See why Cincinnati is focused on a fast start to the 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Forget the sleepy preseasons of the past. The Cincinnati Bengals sent a clear message Thursday night in Philadelphia: the slow starts are over. In a deliberate change of pace, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and the rest of the starting offense took the field for several drives against the Eagles, giving fans their first real glimpse of the 2025 squad in live-game action.
The days of starters sitting out early preseason action are over. The new mantra? 'It's about getting the first-team offense in rhythm before Week 1.'
Under the lights at Lincoln Financial Field, the Bengals' first-team offense, led by Joe Burrow, took the field for their first live snaps of the year. As promised by Coach Taylor, the starters played 'a couple' of drives, a notable increase in workload compared to previous preseasons. While the final score wasn't the main story, the focus was on execution and timing. Fans got to see Burrow connect with Ja'Marr Chase and watched running back Chase Brown test the Eagles' defensive front, providing a crucial early look at the core of the offense.
The decision to play the starters wasn't made on a whim. Head coach Zac Taylor explicitly stated the goal is to combat the team's frustrating tendency to start the regular season sluggishly. The move drew praise from national media, with NBC Sports' Mike Florio and Chris Simms highlighting the immense pressure on Cincinnati to 'show up' from the jump this year. By getting the first-team offense and defense live reps, the coaching staff is taking a calculated risk they believe will pay dividends when the games truly count.
Perhaps the most significant news from the entire night was what didn't happen. As of late Thursday, there were no reports of any major injuries to the Bengals' key players. In a preseason where the primary goal is to get better without getting hurt, escaping the first game with a clean bill of health is the biggest victory of all. This allows the team to build on the night's reps without any immediate setbacks derailing their preparation for the regular season.
While the final score in Philly was secondary, the Bengals accomplished their primary mission: getting valuable, live reps for the starters and emerging healthy. The focus now shifts to breaking down the film and preparing for the next test. If Thursday night was any indication, this team is attacking the preseason with a new sense of urgency, all with an eye on being fully prepared to fire on all cylinders come Week 1.
