Cincinnati Bengals: What We've Learned Through Week 3 of Preseason

The Cincinnati Bengals are two games out from the start of the regular season with plenty of lessons learned along the journey so far. 

Next up is a Saturday visit from the Chicago Bears, where head coach Marvin Lewis will play his starters even longer than he did in last week's debacle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On paper, the showdown provides a nice measuring stick. Cincinnati's defense will need to contain an explosive Chicago offense, while the Bears defense can be one of the most disruptive in the league when healthy.

Within, let's take a look at some of the lessons to know about the team going into the weekend.

AJ McCarron Stands Alone as Backup

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

There's no longer a battle for the right to back up Andy Dalton.

The Bengals cut Josh Johnson this week, just days after AJ McCarron made his preseason debut after missing Week 1. The Alabama product didn't look terrible, either, going 11-of-15 for 97 yards.

Granted, the usual hiccups were there for the sophomore quarterback, including staring down receivers and holding onto the ball too long. But the coaching staff seemed to like what it saw, especially the fourth-quarter touchdown drive he led.

Nobody will steal Dalton's gig, but if McCarron can ride the momentum over the next two contests, the coaches can sleep easy knowing the situation behind the starter is in good hands.

The Defensive Line Needs Work

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

So far, it's been an up-and-down preseason for the Cincinnati line.

The lone constant? Geno Atkins looks great. But Margus Hunt looks like he's struggling. Will Clarke has shown a few flashes, but isn't starter material. Most anyone who lines up next to Atkins struggles, although DeShawn Williams continues to make a strong push for the roster.

Still, the Bengals lost the battle in the trenches against Tampa Bay. This allowed a rookie quarterback and a backup to play well, exposed the secondary and let Doug Martin ran for almost 10 yards per carry.

In theory, things will improve when Michael Johnson returns from injury. But it's not a good sign to see what should be the team's strength struggling. Whether it's a lineup change or just simply getting healthy, the Bengals cannot win the big games without the line playing better.

Paul Dawson Is the Real Deal

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

It's time to believe the hype with Paul Dawson.

Vontaze Burfict's injury issues worried many, as they should. The team brought back Rey Maualuga and brought on A.J. Hawk, then posted the most-praised move of all by "stealing" Dawson in the draft.

The TCU product has been on fire this preseason, playing his usual instinctive football. Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson is one of many who continue to heap praise on his play: "Dude works through traffic better than any LB I can think of with possible exception of [Carolina's Luke] Kuechly."

By now, Dawson doesn't just look like a lock for the roster. He's starting to look like a guy who the coaching staff could trust to see starter-level snaps. Sometimes a simple nose for the football works wonders, and Dawson has it in droves.

Old Problems Persist

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Certain defensive coverage lapses and tackling woes are one thing, but perhaps more concerning are the offense's struggles so far this preseason.

Dalton threw two picks last Monday. One went back for a touchdown, and the blame falls on A.J. Green alone. Dalton delivered a perfect pass and Green bobbled it, yet another odd example of one of the league's best struggling with the fundamentals at odd times.

The rest fell on Dalton, who forced the next interception into a triple-covered Tyler Eifert. He explained the decision afterward, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

"

I felt like we needed to get something going and I just slipped it a little high to (tight end) Tyler (Eifert). I have to bring it down, check it down, and not do that. At that point I was trying to pick up a first down and get things going and their linebacker made a good play falling back underneath the receiver, and made me force it high and obviously the safety was in position.

"

While it's a throw a fifth-year quarterback should never make, at the same time it should reassure onlookers that Dalton identified the issue. After all, it's the preseason, and it's better to iron out these issues now than later.

Which is the point. So long as tackling, communication and decision-making improve with each week before the real thing, the Bengals will be just fine.

Staff Won't Accept Continued Mistakes

In the past, the Bengals haven't been known as a team to make major changes when it comes to starters, favoring veterans and guys with experience.

This isn't to say the franchise won't adapt. Preseason games are meaningless when it comes to wins and losses, but offensive coordinator Hue Jackson made it clear to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer he takes the recent hiccups in a serious manner:

"

I know this: We are going to get it corrected. We are going to address it and move forward, because that is what you have to do. I am not going to sit and let those things go because it's the preseason. I don't look at it that way. Those things bleed over into your season and we are not going to have it.

"

Whether it's another fumble from Jeremy Hill after an offseason of work to prevent it or some other issue, the team with four consecutive winless trips to the postseason understands the value in getting things right this time of year.

Approaching a game in which the team will play starters the longest, keep a keen eye on rotations and decisions by the coaching staff. If Jackson's words are any sign, complacency isn't a common commodity in the Queen City right now.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of August 27. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.