Notable PFF grades from Bengals’ preseason win vs Bucs

The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off their preseason slate with a solid performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The box score doesn’t look too pretty, but several players stood out for their individual performances.

For a more in-depth look at those performances, here are some Pro Football Focus grades that stood out from the game:

• D’Ante Smith led the Bengals’ offensive line with an 84.8 pass-blocking grade. Smith had a very clean 16 snaps in pass protection with 11 coming as the second-team left guard, and five as the third-team left tackle. Michael Jordan was right behind Smith with a pass-blocking grade of 80. Jordan was only on the field for eight passing plays, but nevertheless, he produced a solid outing blocking for quarterback Brandon Allen.
• In run blocking, Isaiah Prince churned out a 71.3 grade on a team-high 33 run-blocking snaps. Prince replaced Jonah Williams at left tackle with the second-team o-line and was noticeably solid in zone blocking.
• Running behind Prince for most of the game was Jacques Patrick, who produced a 71.3 rushing grade. Patrick finished the game with 71 yards on just 15 carries. 58 of his 71 yards came after contact.
• The offense’s leader in overall grade was none other than Trenton Irwin, who came away with a 79.7. Irwin notably hauled in a tough catch over the middle before being rocked by Buccaneers cornerback Cameron Kinley. He finished the contest with three receptions for 35 yards on five targets.
• On defense, Joseph Ossai and Darius Hodge both finished with 89.6 defense grades, both were just behind D.J. Reader’s 90.2 from just four snaps. The rookie edge duo wrecked havoc for most of the game and accounted for most of Cincinnati’s pass-rushing production. With the way Ossai was playing, he may’ve surpassed Reader had he not gotten injured.

• Jalen Davis came to play as the team’s backup slot cornerback. He had a coverage grade of 79.3 thanks in part to a couple pass breakups that led to the defense’s two interceptions. Joe Bachie made some plays in pass defense as well, finishing with a coverage grade 76 and a pass breakup of his own.
• One of those interceptions landed in the hands of Trayvon Henderson, but the backup safety’s best work came as a tackler. He led the defense with an 82.4 tackling grade. Henderson’s four tackles tied for the team lead to go with his interception.