The Bengals vs Chicago Bears match player stats from the latest meeting tell the story of a preseason game in which Cincinnati’s depth players produced an impressive 27-9 victory over Chicago at Paycor Stadium on August 22, 2026. The matchup was particularly interesting because the two teams approached the game differently. Chicago gave several starters, including Caleb Williams, limited action, while Cincinnati rested its starters and relied heavily on backups and players competing for roster positions. Despite facing Chicago’s first-team offense for the opening possession, Cincinnati quickly established control and eventually won by 18 points.
For anyone searching for Bengals vs Chicago Bears player stats, the final score does not tell the entire story. Cincinnati finished with 346 total yards, compared with 322 for Chicago, but the most significant difference came on third down, touchdowns and penalties. The Bengals converted 6 of 13 third-down opportunities, while the Bears managed only 2 of 14, and Chicago committed 11 penalties for 81 yards. Cincinnati also scored three touchdowns while Chicago managed only three field goals. The individual performances were therefore especially important because the game served as an evaluation opportunity for players fighting for roster spots before the regular season.
Bengals vs Chicago Bears Final Score and Team Stats
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Chicago Bears 27-9 in the second week of the 2026 preseason. Chicago opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal from Cairo Santos, but Cincinnati answered with an Evan McPherson 25-yard field goal. The Bears briefly regained the lead through another Santos field goal before Cincinnati’s offense found the end zone twice in the second quarter. Colbie Young caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Josh Johnson, followed by a six-yard touchdown reception from Tanner Hudson, giving Cincinnati a 17-6 halftime advantage. Chicago added another Santos field goal just before halftime, but Cincinnati extended its lead after the break.
The final team statistics show a relatively close game in terms of yardage. Chicago recorded 322 total net yards, including 250 passing yards and 72 rushing yards, while Cincinnati produced 346 total net yards, with 282 passing yards and 64 rushing yards. The Bengals possessed the ball for 29:24, compared with Chicago’s 30:36, so time of possession was not a major difference. Instead, the crucial numbers were third-down efficiency, scoring opportunities and penalties. Cincinnati committed nine penalties for 49 yards, while Chicago’s 11 penalties cost the Bears 81 yards.
| Statistic | Chicago Bears | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 9 | 27 |
| Total Net Yards | 322 | 346 |
| Passing Yards | 250 | 282 |
| Rushing Yards | 72 | 64 |
| Time of Possession | 30:36 | 29:24 |
| Penalties | 11 | 9 |
| Penalty Yards | 81 | 49 |
Cincinnati Bengals Player Stats: Josh Johnson Leads the Offense
The biggest individual story in the Bengals vs Chicago Bears match player stats was quarterback Josh Johnson. The 40-year-old veteran delivered an extremely efficient performance, completing 15 of 23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His passer rating was 113.7, and both of his touchdown passes came during Cincinnati’s strong second-quarter offensive performance. Johnson’s experience was particularly valuable because Cincinnati rested its regular starting quarterback Joe Burrow and other key players, giving the veteran an opportunity to demonstrate that he can still provide dependable depth.
Johnson’s two touchdown passes went to Colbie Young and Tanner Hudson. Young caught three passes for 48 yards and one touchdown, including the 17-yard score that gave Cincinnati its first touchdown of the game. Hudson added two receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown. Cincinnati also received a productive performance from Dohnte Meyers, whose receiving work continued to strengthen his case for a roster position. The Bengals’ receiving depth was one of the clearest positives from the game, particularly because several established offensive players were unavailable.
Cincinnati’s quarterback production was not limited to Johnson. Sean Clifford completed 10 of 15 passes for 126 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also rushing four times for 11 yards. His touchdown pass went to Noah Thomas, who caught one pass for 20 yards and the score. Combined, Johnson and Clifford completed 25 of 38 passes for 282 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, matching Cincinnati’s total passing yardage for the game.
Chicago Bears Player Stats: Caleb Williams, Case Keenum and Key Performers
The Chicago Bears player stats were unusual because the team’s starting offense appeared for only one possession. Caleb Williams completed his first two passes for 28 yards, connecting with Rome Odunze for 18 yards and Colston Loveland for 10 yards, before finishing his short appearance with five passing attempts. Chicago’s opening drive covered 33 yards on eight plays but stalled after a holding penalty on left tackle Braxton Jones, forcing the Bears to settle for Cairo Santos’ 45-yard field goal.
After Williams exited, Case Keenum became Chicago’s most productive passer statistically. According to his NFL game log, Keenum completed 9 of 17 passes for 119 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Miller Moss also received extensive work, completing 13 of 21 attempts for 103 yards. Chicago’s quarterbacks moved the football reasonably well in stretches, but the offense struggled to finish drives, and the absence of a touchdown was ultimately decisive.
One of Chicago’s most notable individual plays came from wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who caught a 36-yard pass. The explosive reception gave the Bears one of their biggest passing plays of the evening and was highlighted by analysts as an important positive for his roster prospects. Chicago’s rushing attack was led by Roschon Johnson, who recorded 42 yards on 12 carries during the first half. Salvon Ahmed also made an impression, producing 36 rushing yards on six attempts, including a 16-yard run.
Bengals vs Bears Defense and Special Teams Stats
The defensive statistics reveal another important aspect of the game. Chicago held Cincinnati to only 64 rushing yards, which was a positive result against a Bengals offense that had several players competing for opportunities. However, the Bears allowed 282 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while failing to record a sack. Chicago did produce the game’s only interception, with Skyler Thomas securing the takeaway. The defense therefore showed some encouraging moments but struggled to prevent Cincinnati from making enough plays through the air.
Cincinnati’s defense was particularly effective at keeping Chicago out of the end zone. The Bears reached scoring territory multiple times but had to rely entirely on field goals from Cairo Santos, who made attempts from 45, 26 and 44 yards. Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson was perfect, making both of his field-goal attempts and all three extra points. His biggest kick was a 58-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which pushed Cincinnati’s lead to 27-9 and effectively closed out the scoring.
The defensive line also produced encouraging individual performances for Cincinnati. Landon Robinson, a rookie defensive tackle, was widely praised for his performance and strengthened his case for a roster position. Reports noted that Robinson generated pressure, recorded multiple sacks and showed strong discipline against Chicago’s offense. These kinds of performances matter enormously during the preseason because coaching staffs are evaluating not only statistics but also technique, consistency and whether a player can execute assignments.
What the Bengals vs Chicago Bears Player Stats Tell Us
The most revealing statistic from the game may be the contrast between yardage and scoring. Chicago actually produced 322 yards, only 24 fewer than Cincinnati, but the Bears scored just nine points. Cincinnati converted more third downs, avoided some of Chicago’s costly mistakes and turned its opportunities into touchdowns. Chicago went only 2-for-14 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down, while Cincinnati converted 6 of 13 third downs. That difference explains why Cincinnati was able to control the game despite the relatively small gap in total offense.
The preseason context is also essential when interpreting the Bengals vs Chicago Bears match player stats. Cincinnati rested its starters and allowed backup players to take center stage, meaning performances from Johnson, Young, Meyers, Hudson, Clifford and Robinson had direct implications for roster decisions. Chicago, meanwhile, used the opening possession to give Williams and other first-team players a brief evaluation before turning the game over to its depth. Consequently, the 27-9 score should not be interpreted in exactly the same way as a regular-season result. The individual performances and roster implications are arguably more important than the final margin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bengals vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats
What was the final score of Bengals vs Chicago Bears?
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Chicago Bears 27-9 on August 22, 2026, at Paycor Stadium during Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
Who was the best quarterback in the Bengals vs Bears game?
Josh Johnson was the standout quarterback statistically. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, finishing with a 113.7 passer rating.
How did Caleb Williams perform against the Bengals?
Williams played only the opening possession. He completed 2 of 5 passes for 28 yards, including completions to Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland.
Who led the Bears in rushing?
Roschon Johnson led Chicago with 12 carries for 42 yards. Salvon Ahmed added 36 yards on six carries.
Who led the Bengals in passing?
Josh Johnson led Cincinnati with 156 passing yards and two touchdowns. Sean Clifford added 126 yards and one touchdown.
Who scored touchdowns for the Bengals?
Colbie Young, Tanner Hudson and Noah Thomas each caught a touchdown pass. Young’s score came from 17 yards, Hudson’s from six yards and Thomas’ from 20 yards.
Who was the leading receiver for Cincinnati?
Colbie Young recorded three receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown, making him one of Cincinnati’s most impressive offensive performers.
How many total yards did the Bears have?
Chicago finished with 322 total net yards, compared with 346 yards for Cincinnati.
Did the Bengals play Joe Burrow?
No. Joe Burrow did not play in this preseason matchup. Cincinnati rested its starters and relied heavily on backup players, including Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford.
Why did Cincinnati win despite only gaining 24 more yards?
The Bengals were substantially better in situational football. They converted 6 of 13 third downs compared with Chicago’s 2 of 14, scored three touchdowns, and benefited from Chicago’s 11 penalties for 81 yards.
Conclusion
The Bengals vs Chicago Bears match player stats from August 22, 2026, show a Cincinnati team that received outstanding contributions from its depth players and turned a preseason opportunity into a convincing 27-9 victory. Josh Johnson was the headline performer, completing 15 of 23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while Colbie Young, Tanner Hudson and Noah Thomas provided the three touchdown receptions. Evan McPherson also remained perfect on his kicking opportunities, including an impressive 58-yard field goal.
For Chicago, the game offered a mixture of positives and concerns. Caleb Williams looked efficient during his brief opening possession, Roschon Johnson led the rushing attack, and Jahdae Walker produced an impressive 36-yard reception. However, the Bears could not score a touchdown, converted only two of 14 third downs and committed 11 penalties for 81 yards. Those numbers demonstrate that the biggest issue was not simply gaining yards but turning opportunities into points while avoiding costly mistakes.
Ultimately, the Bengals vs Chicago Bears player stats are especially valuable because this was a preseason evaluation game. Cincinnati’s backups demonstrated considerable depth, while several Chicago players competing for roster positions also made their cases. As the regular season approaches, performances from players such as Josh Johnson, Colbie Young, Dohnte Meyers, Landon Robinson, Jahdae Walker and Salvon Ahmed will remain worth monitoring. The final score was Cincinnati’s headline achievement, but the individual statistics and roster implications may prove to be the more important story from this preseason meeting.
