It’s over.
Finally.
What happened: Cincinnati completed its preseason schedule with a 27-26 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday. Cincinnati nearly finished with their third undefeated preseason in franchise history — joining the 2006 team and the 1971 squad that finished 5-0-1. Perhaps failing to achieve preseason perfection is for the best, as they failed to secure winning records during their respective regular seasons following undefeated preseason action. Of course, preseason records are about as meaningful to the regular season as water beds are to sleep.
A position battle decided: Bengals quarterback Matt Barkley started the game on Thursday but exited with 10:58 remaining in the first quarter after defensive end Kemoko Turay crashed into his left knee.