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Bears Look to Build Momentum in Week 2 Preseason Matchup Against Bengals

August 17, 2024 – Chicago, IL

The Chicago Bears return to Soldier Field this Saturday at 12 p.m. CT to host the Cincinnati Bengals in their second preseason game of 2024. Fresh off a 17-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Bears aim to continue building on their progress under new head coach Dan Carter. Meanwhile, the Bengals are eager to bounce back after a 27-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their preseason opener.

Bears’ Keys to the Game
The spotlight will once again shine on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who impressed last week in his preseason debut. Williams completed 7 of 8 passes for 74 yards, including a beautifully thrown 17-yard touchdown to D.J. Moore. However, the Bears’ offensive line will face a tough test against Cincinnati’s defensive front. Newly signed center Coleman Shelton will start in place of injured Connor Williams, who is sidelined for five weeks with a torn labrum.

The Bears’ defense was dominant last week, allowing only 106 passing yards and 175 total yards against the Bills. With the Bengals’ offense struggling in their preseason opener, the Bears’ defensive unit will look to build on that performance, particularly their pass rush and coverage.

On offense, running back D’Andre Swift will look to carry the momentum from his productive outing against the Bills. Swift consistently found success in limited action, contrasting with Roschon Johnson, who managed just 23 yards on 14 carries. Johnson will need to bounce back in Week 2 to solidify his role in the backfield rotation.

Wide receiver Tyler Scott, currently the team’s fourth receiver behind D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, had a strong showing last week. Scott led the Bears with 48 receiving yards and looks to continue his success as he pushes for a larger role in the rotation.

The Bengals’ Perspective
Cincinnati enters Week 2 looking to find rhythm on offense. After managing just 164 total yards against the Buccaneers, the Bengals will likely lean more on starting running back Zack Moss, who is expected to see increased playing time this week. Backups Chase Brown and Chris Evans showed promise last week but will likely take a backseat as Moss leads the ground attack.

At quarterback, Jake Browning and Joe Burrow will look to improve their efficiency. With wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the lineup, Cincinnati has plenty of talent to challenge Chicago’s secondary, which excelled in Week 1. Tight end Mike Gesicki is also expected to be a reliable option for the Bengals’ passing attack.

Defensively, the Bengals will rely on their pass rush, led by Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, to disrupt Caleb Williams and the Bears’ passing attack. Cam Taylor-Britt, entering his second season, will anchor Cincinnati’s secondary and look to build on a solid rookie campaign.

What to Expect
Both teams will use this game to continue evaluating their rosters and making adjustments. For Chicago, improving consistency in the running game and testing the offensive line against Cincinnati’s defense will be critical areas of focus. On the other side, Cincinnati will look to rebound from their struggles and establish offensive rhythm.

Saturday’s matchup promises to be an intriguing test for both teams as they prepare for the regular season. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere at Soldier Field as the Bears continue to establish their new identity under Coach Carter.