The Arizona Cardinals picked up a nice win to kick off the preseason. Quarterback Trace McSorley, making the start, led them to three first-half touchdowns and four first-half scores and the Cardinals beat the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals 36-23 Friday night at Paycor Stadium.
Young players stood out and the offense and defense both looked good.
How did things go down? Read on.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
The offensive starting lineup
QB: Trace McSorley
RB: Eno Benjamin
WR: Andy Isabella, Greg Dortch
TE: Stephen Anderson, Deon Yelder
OL (LT-RT): Josh Jones, Danny Isidora, Sean Harlow, Will Hernandez, Josh Miles
WR3: Andre Baccellia
Cardinals 6, Bengals 0
https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1558238615246970881
The Cardinals get on the board first with a nice drive. Trace McSorley completes a pass to Andy Isabella and scrambles for a first down. Isabella draws a 40-yard pass interference to move the ball down the field and McSorley throws a three-yard touchdown pass to Andre Baccellia.
The bad? Kicker Matt Prater misses the extra point.
Starting defense
DL: Leki Fotu, Jonathan Ledbetter, Rashard Lawrence
OLB: Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje
ILB: Zaven Collins, Zeke Turner
CB: Marco Wilson, Antonio Hamilton
S: James Wiggins, Charles Washington
Nickel CB: Jace Whittaker
Cardinals 9, Bengals 0
You Got Dortch'd@_GDortch pic.twitter.com/kQSFr85Yn2
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 12, 2022
After forcing a punt on their first defensive series, which included a sack by second-year linebacker Victor Dimukeje, the Cardinals get a field goal from Matt Prater after their drive stalls in the red zone.
Greg Dortch has a 30-yard grab and Jonathan Ward adds a 12-yard run and 21-yard reception.
McSorley is almost picked off in the end zone but undrafted rookie tight end Chris Pierce breaks up the pass to set up the field goal.
Cardinals 9, Bengals 3
The Cardinals gave up a big pass play but held the Bengals to a field goal.
Michael Dogbe had pressure on quarterback Jake Browning, but brown got the ball off and completed a 36-yard pass to Kendric Pryor to get into the red zone.
The Bengals were flagged twice for holding, once negating a touchdown, and they settled on a field goal.
WR Andre Baccellia hurt
Cardinals WR Andre Baccellia down after that play. Not putting any weight on his right leg as he is helped up.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 13, 2022
The Cardinals might have their first significant injury. Before having to punt for the first time, on an incomplete pass down the field intended for Andy Isabella, receiver Andre Baccellia had to be helped off the field.
It appeared it could be a leg or knee injury and he had to be carried off the field.
Baccellia, a small, speedy wideout, spent last season on the practice squad.
Update: It is an ankle injury for Baccellia.
Cardinals 9, Bengals 6
Smooth 58-yarder 😮💨
Watch live at https://t.co/KpeqK4RKUm pic.twitter.com/f7dn8UzYiD
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 13, 2022
Evan McPherson shows off his leg with a 58-yard field goal to cut the Cardinals’ lead to three.
Rookie cornerback Christian Matthew had some nice coverage on a throw down the field that was not completed.
Bengals Brandon Allen evaluated for concussion
Kettering Health Injury Update:
-No.8 QB Brandon Allen has been taken in to be evaluated for a possible concussion-No. 84 TE Mitchell Wilcox has a left ankle injury and is declared out
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 13, 2022
Allen came out of the game earlier than expected. It was because he was evaluated for a concussion.
Cardinals 16, Bengals 6
JWard taking it in himself 💪@Almighty_jward x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/NUEZ1jQeK4
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2022
The Bengals turn the ball over on a botched snap. Linebacker Joe Walker recovers and the Cardinals only need three plays to get into the end zone. Jonathan Ward bangs in a one-yard touchdown run after he had a five-yard reception and Victor Bolden had a 15-yarder.
This time, Prater makes the extra point.
Cardinals 16, Bengals 9
CONFIRMED: Evan McPherson still has it 👏
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 13, 2022
Evan McPherson is locked in for the preseason opener. He nails a 56-yarder on the Bengals’ next drive.
Cardinals 23, Bengals 9
THROWS IT ON A DIME!@McSorley_IX x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/HhmdQtXkeL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2022
Trace McSorley leads the Cardinals to a third first-half touchdown, using his feet and his arm. He scrambles away from pressure and throws a dot to Andy Isabella for 36 yards and he scrambles down to the one-yard line. Jonathan Ward gets his second one-yard touchdown of the half.
Cardinals 29, Bengals 9
LIGHT THE DORTCH 🔥@_GDortch x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/mWtRfUNQiD
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2022
The Cardinals are pouring it on. After forcing a 3-and-out, Greg Dortch returns the punt 55 yards to the Cincinnati 25. Rookie running back Keaontay Ingram has a couple of carries and undrafted quarterback Jarrett Guarantano throws a five-yard touchdown pass to undrafted rookie receiver Jontre Kirklin. Prater misses his second extra point of the game.
Cardinals 36, Bengals 9
It’s a preseason beatdown. After forcing yet another punt, the Cardinals punch it in the end zone again with a third one-yard touchdown run. This time, it is rookie running back Keaontay Ingram.
Cardinals 36, Bengals 16
The Bengals finally got into the end zone in the fourth quarter with a one-yard run. The Arizona defense almost makes a goalline stand. They get the touchdown after the Cardinals go three-and-out in the first series that quarterback Kyler Murray calls plays.
Cardinals 36, Bengals 23
WHAT A CATCH! 🔥🔥🔥 @_KPryor3
Watch live at https://t.co/KpeqK4RKUm pic.twitter.com/bPLmD5vsFS
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 13, 2022
Pryor made more plays. He nabs a one-handed grab and makes a fourth-down catch for a touchdown after the Cardinals go three-and-out on a second consecutive series with Murray calling plays.
