All Bengals

Halftime Observations: Defense Leads the Way, Bengals Trail Washington 6-3

Cincinnati's offense struggled in the first half.

James Rapien

CINCINNATI — The Bengals played like they practiced in the first half of Friday night's game in Washington. 

Their defense was dominant and their offense looked out of sync, especially without Joe Burrow on the field. 

Washington has a 6-3 lead at the half. Here are our halftime observations:

Defense Dominates

The Bengals' first-team defense continues to play well. They allowed just 52 total yards and two first downs in three drives. They had one sack and forced one turnover.

Logan Wilson forced a fumble and Mike Hilton recovered. Watch that play below. 

It's also worth noting that newcomers like Chidobe Awuzie, Trey Hendrickson and Larry Ogunjobi all made plays to help the defense get off the field. 

Darius Hodge and Jalen Davis also made big plays in the backfield in their quest to make the 53-man roster. 

Rough Outing for the Rookie

Ja'Marr Chase has had better nights. The rookie wide receiver was targeted on three third-down plays and the ball hit his hands all three times, unfortunately he couldn't hang onto any of them. 

Chase's timing with backup quarterback Brandon Allen was clearly off, which didn't help matters, but he should've caught at least two of the passes. Watch one of the drops below.

Allen Struggles and an Offensive Line Update

It wasn't just Chase that struggled for the Bengals. Some of Allen's passes sailed over his intended target. A few of his attempts were nearly interception. 

The veteran completed just 5-of-13 passes for 28 yards. 

Quinton Spain and Xavier Su'a-Filo got the start at left and right guard, respectively. 

Spain was called for a holding penalty that negated a 17-yard screen play to Joe Mixon on the Bengals' first drive. Riley Reiff also cost his team five yards with a false start. 

Jackson Carman played with the second-team offense at right guard. Michael Jordan played at left guard with D'Ante Smith not playing. Isaiah Prince and Fred Johnson played left and right tackle. Rookie Trey Hill played center. 

The offensive line didn't allow a sack in the first half, but they didn't open up many holes in the running game either. 

The Bengals finished with just 27 rushing yards and 55 total yards. They were 0-for-6 on third down and only had one first down in the half. 

Make sure you bookmark AllBengals for the latest training camp news, including exclusive interviews, highlights and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Film Breakdown: In-Depth Breakdown of the Bengals' Offensive and Defensive Lines

An In-Depth Look at the Bengals' Wide Receiver Battle

Joe Burrow Lobbying to Play in Bengals' Preseason Finale

A.J. Green Continues to Impress at Cardinals Training Camp

Injury Roundup: The Latest on Joseph Ossai, Trayveon Williams and other Injuries

Joe Burrow Gives Details on Rehab: "Every Workout to Me was Life or Death"

Bengals Undrafted Rookie Darius Hodge is Ready for the Moment

Watch Highlights From Tuesday's Practice

How Jamal Adams' Contract Impacts Jessie Bates' Negotiations With the Bengals

Watch: Joe Mixon Blocks Ndamukong Suh in Pass Protection

Bengals Rookie OL D'Ante Smith Continues to Push for Starting Job

Training Camp Report: Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow Shine Bright in Practice

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals' Offense Shine in Team Drills

Analyst Believes Bengals' AFC North Rival is a Darkhorse Super Bowl Contender

Two Bengals Make NFL's Top 100 List

Bengals Waive Three Players Following Preseason Win Over Buccaneers

Bengals Fear Joseph Ossai May Have Suffered a Broken Wrist

Snap Count Breakdown From Bengals' Win Over Buccaneers

Evans, Patrick Take Advantage of Opportunity in Debut

Postgame Observations: Bengals Beat Bucs 19-14 in Preseason Opener

Watch: Joseph Ossai and Trey Hendrickson Sack Tom Brady

NFL Insider: The Bengals Are Going to be One of the Most Exciting Teams in the NFL

Film Room: How Taylor & Pollack Can Use Wide Zone to Beat Modern Defenses

Look: Bengals 2021 Jersey Schedule Revealed

The Bengals Don't Have Any Margin For Error When it Comes to Bates' Future

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase, Jessie Bates Make Big Plays During Practice

Jessie Bates Gives Blunt Answer When Asked About New Contract

Three Bengals That Have Flashed Their Potential This Week

Joe Burrow Feeling Comfortable in Pocket After Slow Start

Watch: Highlights of Burrow, the OL and Secondary

Joe Burrow on AFC North: "We're Coming to Challenge the Division"

Elizabeth Blackburn: "We Have High Expectations" This Season

Report: Jessie Bates and Bengals Not Close to Long-Term Agreement

Duke Tobin on Jackson Carman: "He's Gotta Get Himself in Peak Shape"

Duke Tobin Not Concerned About Ja'Marr Chase Despite Talk of Slow Start

Ricardo Allen: Joe Burrow Reminds Me of Matt Ryan

Bengals Depth Chart Instant Reaction: Jordan Starting, Carman on 3rd Team

Auden Tate is off to an Impressive Start

Zac Taylor Offers Up Big-Time Praise for D'Ante Smith

Joe Burrow Won't Play in Bengals' First Preseason Game

Joe Burrow Keeping Expectations in Check as Recovery Continues

Joe Mixon Bullish on Bengals' Offense: "Everybody Should Be Excited"

A look at Frank Pollack's Wide Zone Scheme and How it Will Impact Joe Mixon

Watch: Highlights From Wednesday's Practice Include Battle in the Trenches

Vonn Bell Praises Bengals' Defense, Likes What He's Seen From Ja'Marr Chase

Watch: Joe Burrow Connects With Ja'Marr Chase Deep Downfield

Mike Hilton Offers Up Big-Time Praise for Jessie Bates

Camp Notes: Joe Burrow and the Offense Continues to Struggle

Watch Practice Highlights of Jessie Bates, Ja'Marr Chase and More

Bengals Legend: Joe Burrow is "Better Than I Ever Was"

Watch: Video Breakdown from Bengals Training Camp

Watch Highlights from Day 4 of Bengals Training Camp

Watch Highlights from Day 3 of Bengals Training Camp

Film Breakdown: Why Ja'Marr Chase Has a Chance to be Special

Jessie Bates "Super Eager" to Agree to Contract Extension With Bengals

Joe Burrow Wants to Play in Preseason Games

Zero Dark Thirty: Joe Burrow Exits Social Media For Duration of Training Camp

Day One: Three Observations From Bengals Training Camp Practice

Mike Brown Bullish on O-Line: They're Going to "Surprise People"

A Breakdown of the Bengals Toughest Games on the 2021 Schedule

Three Down Look: Bengals Defense Under Pressure to Create Pressure

Joe Burrow Fully Cleared, But Don't Expect to See Him in the Preseason

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Makes Amazing One-Handed Catch

Ken Anderson Has Big-Time Praise for Joe Burrow

Film Breakdown: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for Left Tackle Jonah Williams

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly From Vonn Bell's First Season in Stripes

Mike Brown Praises NFL Legend: 'The Greatest QB I Ever Saw Play'

Former NFL Scout Believes Chase and Burrow Will Have Huge Season

Film Breakdown: DJ Reader Should Be an Impact Player for the Bengals

Join the Faces of Who Dey Nation for Thursday Night Football

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time!

Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook

Published
James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati

Home/Gameday