The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off their preseason campaign with a disappointing performance, as they failed to get anything going on both offense and defense. The lackluster display left fans and coaches concerned about the struggling running game, receivers failing to make plays, and missed opportunities by quarterback Browning.

Browning completed 10 of 18 passes for a mere 52 yards and threw an interception, earning a dismal passer rating of 37.7. In contrast, quarterbacks Burrow and Woodside led touchdown drives and had passer ratings over 130. The Bengals' offensive woes were further highlighted by a running game that averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.

The preseason games serve as the first opportunity to assess the team's progress, particularly for the run game and defense. Unfortunately, both areas proved to be lacking once again. Last year, Cincinnati struggled in these departments, and the same issues persisted in their preseason opener.

The Bengals could only muster a single significant running play, a 7-yard scramble by Woodside on the final play of the game. In contrast, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found success on the ground, accumulating 136 yards on 32 carries, with a notable 26-yard gain by Sean Tucker.

An area that showed promise for the Bengals was the play of cornerback Hill, who played the entire first half in his debut at the outside position. Hill showcased his potential by recording three pass deflections, narrowly missing an impressive interception on one occasion. His ability to be around the ball consistently didn't go unnoticed by Coach Taylor.

Although Hill showed promise, there is still room for improvement. One play against him demonstrated his need to master the finer details of the position. On a third down, Hill had his receiver tightly covered, but failed to turn his head around to spot the ball, resulting in a contested catch by the Buccaneers for a significant gain.

Reflecting on the game, Hill acknowledged feeling comfortable in his new role but recognized the need to work on getting his head around and tracking the ball. The young cornerback understands that attention to such details is what separates good players from the truly great ones.

The Bengals' lackluster performance in their preseason debut raises concerns for the team's run game and defense, with the struggling running game and missed opportunities casting a shadow over the evening. As the preseason progresses, Coach Taylor and his staff will focus on addressing these issues to ensure a stronger showing in the upcoming regular season.