Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals 8/12/22 - NFL Preseason Picks & Predictions

The Arizona Cardinals visit Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the opening game of the 2022 NFL preseason for both. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray signed a multimillion-dollar contract extension but is likely not to play in any of the three preseason games. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy will likely see most of the action during the preseason and battle with Trace McSorley and Jarrett Guarantano to keep his No. 2 quarterback role in 2022.

James Conner is expected to be the leading running back for Arizona and last season rushed for 752 yards with 15 touchdowns. Lead wideout DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games therefore the top receiver will be Marquise Brown who was acquired during the offseason. Last season with Baltimore, Brown caught 91 passes for 1,008 yards and 6 touchdowns. Arizona's front line will be led by defensive end JJ Watt, while the back seven has a very strong secondary.

The Cincinnati Bengals finished first in the AFC North last season at 10-7 and were defeated in the Super Bowl by the Los Angeles Rams 23-20. Starting quarterback Joe Burrow had an appendectomy during the offseason and will likely not play during the preseason. Brandon Allen, Burrow’s backup, is expected to see plenty of action under center during the preseason. Jake Browning joined Cincinnati from Minnesota and will also see time at quarterback along with Drew Plitt.

Joe Mixon returns as the leading running back for Cincinnati. Last season Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. The leading receiver returning from last season is Ja’Marr Chase, who caught 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cincinnati's 4-3 defense will be led up front by Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard while the linebacker corps has Akeem Davis-Gaither and Logan Wilson amongst others.