The Cincinnati Bengals evened out at 1-1 coming out of Thursday’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
There, the Bengals won 23-13, though problems for the first-team offense weren’t forgiven simply because some lesser-known faces later in the game stood tall and overcame a deficit.
Coming out of the game, these are the winners and losers to know.
Winner: Ryan Finley
Finley got promoted to the second-team offense on a short week after a strong debut and didn’t blink.
Thursday, Finley went out and didn’t miss a pass on his opening drive, throwing a touchdown to Drew Sample to top it off. He finished with 150 yards and two scores.
Finley would seem to have the second spot on the depth chart wrapped up now. He’s not starter material because first-team reps are a whole different animal, but he sure looks like the superb backup Bengals coaches had envisioned when they drafted him.
Loser: Non-Trey Hopkins offensive line
The Bengals didn’t stand a chance against a Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen-led Redskins front.
That’s only a slight exaggeration. Everybody on the line besides Hopkins seemed to get hit with a penalty on the first few drives, including Bobby Hart on the right side. To say the coaches still have a long way to go before they crown a starting five would be an understatement.
Winner: Germaine Pratt
What a difference one game can make.
Pratt wasn’t bad in his rookie debut in Week 1. But Thursday, he seemed more comfortable while getting involved in some pass breakups and putting pressure on the passer.
Is it enough right now to crown him a starter? Probably not, but if he keeps improving like this, he might earn a spot before the exhibitions end.
Loser: Andy Dalton
By extension, Dalton came up lame in Washington.
Dalton was clearly rattled behind a bad line. But he also missed a touchdown throw to Tyler Eifert, which is the second time already he’s missed big throws that needed some air. He also had a pick-six, largely because he stared down his target and threw it too low, allowing it to get swatted at the line.
Winner: Trey Hopkins
Hopkins got the nod at center over Billy Price and looked good despite the circumstances around him. When Price finally entered the game, he slid over to left guard and performed the same way.
The Bengals can’t really go wrong with Hopkins moving forward — unless they don’t start him at all.
Loser: Trayveon Williams
The rookie back was supposed to get plenty of work Thursday, yet ended his day early with an injury after two carries for four yards.
That comes after exiting last week with a rib injury too. This wouldn’t normally be too devastating for him, but fellow rookie Rodney Anderson is on his way back earlier than expected and wants to break into the rotation behind the two starters, too.
Winner: Damion Willis
Willis is well on his way to a roster spot.
Thursday, he ended up leading the team in receiving with five catches for 59 yards, and that’s not counting more he lost on some questionable calls by officials.
Simply put, Willis is an undrafted playmaker who will knock a more recognizable name off the roster.
