Joe Flacco throws a touchdown pass in Bengals’ 16-14 win vs. Lions in preseason opener

Joe Flacco threw a touchdown pass in relief of Joe Burrow, Evan McPherson kicked three field goals and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Detroit Lions 16-14 Thursday night in the preseason opener for both teams.Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor got his starters at least three plays. Burrow and the first-string offensive line played two series, with the franchise quarterback going 5 of 6 for 39 yards.Detroits Dan Campbell didnt play most of his starters, including quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Offensive tackle Blake Miller, taken with the 17th overall pick in the NFL draft, was in for 33 snaps, all in the first half.Luke Altmyer played most of the game and went 13 of 22 for 130 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The undrafted rookie directed a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, capped by his 24-yard pass to Tarik Black with 1:35 remaining. Altmyers 2-point conversion on a keeper got the Lions within 16-14.Cincinnati recovered the onside kick but went three-and-out and punted. Russ Yeast then picked off Altmyer at the Lions 35.Detroit got a pair of first-half field goals from Jake Bates on a sloppy night for the offense.

The Lions committed two turnovers and also turned it over on downs at the Cincinnati 29 late in the first quarter.The Lions drove to the Bengals 33 on the first series before Jordan Battle picked off Altmyer at the 25 after the pass went off the hands of wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.The Bengals turned a Lions turnover into a touchdown in the second quarter. A bad handoff between Altmyer and Jacob Saylors was recovered by defensive end Cashius Howell, Cincinnatis second-round pick, at the Lions 7.Two plays later, Flacco connected with rookie tight end Jack Endries on a 4-yard screen pass to make it 10-0. Flacco finished 5 of 8 for 51 yards.Third-string QB Josh Johnson was 10 of 19 for 84 yards.Bengals starters see early actionBurrow was in for 13 snaps.

He threw a 16-yard strike down the middle to JaMarr Chase on the Bengals second offensive play.He completed passes to four players, including two to running back Samaje Perine.With Taylor trying to show different looks on offense, Burrow was under center on the first four plays and seven overall.One thing Taylor wont like is that Burrow was sacked once and then hit while throwing on third-and-4 from the Lions 38 du… CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Flacco threw a touchdown pass in relief of Joe Burrow, Evan McPherson kicked three field goals and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Detroit Lions 16-14 Thursday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor got his starters at least three plays.

Detroit’s Dan Campbell didn’t play most of his starters, including quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Luke Altmyer played most of the game and went 13 of 22 for 130 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Altmyer’s 2-point conversion on a keeper got the Lions within 16-14.

Cincinnati recovered the onside kick but went three-and-out and punted. Russ Yeast then picked off Altmyer at the Lions 35. Detroit got a pair of first-half field goals from Jake Bates on a sloppy night for the offense.