Josh Johnson sparks Bengals’ 30-13 preseason finish, ending their slate with a clean 3-0 record

Cincinnati closed its preseason at 3-0 by beating the Philadelphia Eagles 30-13 on Friday night, with quarterback Josh Johnson directing a first-half effort that set the tone. Johnson threw for 156 yards in the opening period, giving the Bengals a measure of stability at the position as roster spots and depth charts solidify heading into the regular season.

The scoring also reflected a balanced approach. Evan McPherson added a 56-yard field goal, one of three successful kicks he made during the game. With Cincinnati able to convert multiple opportunities into points, the Bengals were able to keep Philadelphia from turning the second half into a full swing game.

Cincinnati’s receiving production included a touchdown catch from Ke’Shawn Williams, another sign that the team’s work with its younger and fringe targets is paying off in live game action. For a roster-building campaign, plays like a touchdown catch can carry more meaning than they normally would in Week 1, because they can influence who gets trusted with meaningful snaps early in the season.

On Philadelphia’s side, the competition around the quarterback depth spot was also part of the storyline. The game featured Tanner McKee as the quarterback in the mix behind Jalen Hurts, with the report noting McKee struggled in the contest as the Eagles tried to sort out their backup situation.

The preseason outcome mattered most in terms of evaluation rather than standings. A perfect preseason is not predictive on its own, but it can indicate that a team is getting consistent execution across phases, including quarterback play from the veteran and scoring efficiency from the kicker. Cincinnati’s 30-13 final also suggests that the Bengals did not need late-game heroics to protect the lead.

For Philadelphia, the result will likely intensify internal conversations about depth behind Hurts. If McKee’s showing is viewed as below the standard in this matchup, Philadelphia will have reason to continue tightening the backup plan and identifying which quarterback profile most consistently protects the offense’s rhythm.

Going forward, the bigger watch is how each team carries these preseason evaluations into the first weeks of the regular season. Cincinnati’s ability to generate first-half passing production through Johnson, along with red-zone outcomes from players like Williams and reliable kicking from McPherson, sets a baseline. Philadelphia’s focus, by contrast, will be the backup quarterback battle that continues behind Jalen Hurts as the season begins.