5 questions for the Arizona Cardinals-Cincinnati Bengals matchup
The Arizona Cardinals have been studying the Cincinnati Bengals for a while now. It’s time to get the scoop from our Bengals site on what to expect on Friday Night.
After seven long and dramatic months of Arizona Cardinals news, the redbirds are getting welcomed to the jungle (see what I did there?) by taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL Preseason.
To learn more about the Bengals and where the defending AFC Champions stand in terms of who will play, breakout stars, and more, I got in contact with Lee Metzger of Stripe Hype, our Bengals sister site here at FanSided.
Lee was gracious enough to answer five questions about the upcoming game. Here’s the first question!
With Joe Burrow recovering from his appendectomy, the Bengals will likely start Brandon Allen. How has he looked in camp, and which receivers will play?
Allen is thoroughly underwhelming as a talent. Sure, he’s got starting experience, but he’s tremendously inaccurate (evidenced by a 56% career completion rate). Reports on the offense out of camp have generally been bleak, and Allen is a major reason for that. It doesn’t matter the skill level of your receivers if you can’t get the ball to them.
Allen is likely playing for his job this preseason. He only has $300K guaranteed, per Spotrac, so he’s a pretty easy player to move on from if the Bengals can find a more competent backup, either on their own roster or after final cuts.
Arkansas. BrandonAllen. player. 56. Stats. Pick Analysis. QB. 8
As far as the receivers, don’t plan on seeing the Tiger Trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, or Tyler Boyd Friday night.
While they could get a few snaps, it’s unlikely. With Burrow unavailable, there’s no reason to trot out the starting offense’s playmakers. You’re more likely to see significant snaps from Mike Thomas, Stanley Morgan, Pooka Williams, Trenton Irwin, and UDFAs Kendric Pryor and Kwamie Lassiter.
Lassiter has been the talk of camp, so you’d have to think he’s going to get multiple opportunities so that they can see what they have in him. He and Pooka Williams should both get opportunities in the return game, as well.