Cincinnati had zero interest in playing their starters during Thursday's preseason finale in Indianapolis. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis ranted during his pregame speech, singling out players on the bubble advising that many "aren't just playing for a spot on the roster", but also for a spot on another roster in the NFL. However, Cincinnati played it smart, burying their primary contributors during Cincinnati's 9-6 win over the Colts.
Why risk the health of your regular season soldiers during the most insignificant preseason game? It was a game for bubble players angling to make their final arguments to secure a place on the Bengals' 53-man roster.