News

» The 34-3 loss was Cincinnati's worst-ever preseason-opening loss by margin (31 points).

» Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on the offense:
"Obviously scoring three points and having 110 yards in a half isn't good enough."

» Gruden on quarterback Andy Dalton:
"He didn't have a chance on a couple of plays. It wasn't a total debacle. On that last drive he found his rhythm and he showed his poise. He has to get better. We all have to get better. But there were things in his last drive that he can build on."

» Gruden said Dalton's interception on his first pass attempt was caused by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh applying pressure up the middle.

» Dalton on his performance:
"It's not the kind of day I wanted to have. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth for the offense not to score a touchdown. I'm not used to that. I guess that's what the preseason is for, to fix the mistakes. We played phyisical enough up front but there is a lot we need to improve on. Everybody took turns making mental mistakes."

» Running back Cedric Benson carried it five straight times during one stretch in the second offensive series and finished with 37 yards on six total carries. "I love it," he said. "I'm going to make sure I'll be ready if I'm going to carry the team like that in that way. The offensive line did a good job up front. It seemed like we were working the right side and we were able to get some runs."

» Benson on the loss:
"With the positive running plays there is a glimmer (of hope) but it's still pretty dark. We've got a long way to go."

» Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green talked to Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson after the game. Green says he sees Johnson as a guy who has a similar game and they worked out together a few times previously. Johnson told Green to keep working hard.

» Green on Dalton's interception that was intended for him:
"Andy wasn't able to get his feet set."

"I lost it in the light at first and then I didn’t see until the last minute (that it was) all the way inside.”

» Gruden said the Bengals finished the game with only one wide receiver available and played with just two or three receivers in the fourth quarter. The only receiver left at the end was Bart Johnson. Jordan Shipley had taken his pads off and John Standeford, signed just a day earlier, had a bloody foot. Andre Caldwell didn't play because of an abdominal strain and Ryan Whalen pulled a hamstring.

» Head coach Marvin Lewis said rookie linebacker Dontay Moch's foot was in a cast and he is going to get more tests Saturday in Cincinnati. The fear is the foot is broken.

» Defensive end Victor Adeyanju turned his ankle in the second half and had to be helped off the field.

» Defensive tackle Domata Peko on the defense:
"It was definitely surprising. It was embarrassing, but we have to go back to the film. The film will tell us what to do. Coach Zimmer told us he would fix it. It was a crazy first quarter there with all the turnovers but we've got to go back to the drawing board and get this right. We'll get it fixed. Thank God this wasn't the first game of the regular season."

» All four Lions quarterbacks led scoring drives.