Winners
Bengals DL
Remember how I said Johnson probably wasn't going to make the team because of the competition on the roster? It's deep. The first two drives for the Commanders were ended by the Bengals defensive line, as Owen Carney (another impressive player who probably won't make the roster) sacked Jacoby Brissett to end the drive.
That's two straight Washington drives that the Bengals' defensive line has ended.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 26, 2023
The Bengals depth at that position has been evident all camp. Owen Carney has had an uphill climb to get third-string reps in practice, and he has made two drive ending sacks this preseason.
Jake Browning
Good for Browning for being able to go from the likely QB3 to now the likely QB2. The former Washington product joined the Bengals in 2021 and was on the practice squad the past two years but he battled hard this summer and his performance in the preseason finale was impressive enough that he likely won the backup QB job.
Browning finished the night completing all six of his pass attempts for 42 yards and a touchdown. He would have had another highlight to add to his reel but Trey Hill's facemask penalty took that off the board.
Trevor Siemian is in the game at quarterback. Jake Browning was 6-for-6 with a touchdown drive, and he could have had another if it weren't for the facemask penalty.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 26, 2023
Tanner Hudson
The Bengals are for sure keeping Irv Smith Jr. and Drew Sample on their 53-man roster. That likely leaves one spot open and most seem to think that Mitchell Wilcox will land that final spot. Tanner Hudson, however, has looked really good this preseason and had another good performance in the preseason finale.
As Mike Petraglia notes in the post below, he would have had more yards had Trey Hill's penalty not wiped out a big play but even still, he made the most out of his final opportunity. I wouldn't be shocked if he does make the team.
Tanner Hudson with another nice grab on the sideline. Putting numbers up. 2 catches for 26 yards and another 15-yarder wiped out by a Trey Hill facemask. Meanwhile, nice 51-yard punt by Robbins pinning WSH at 6.
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 26, 2023