Bengals need first-team units to convert in D.C.

What appeared to be its best drive, the opening possession against Tampa Bay, ended with Dalton tossing a pick to Bucs corner Vernon Hargreaves III.

"We are moving the ball, (but) we are getting stalled out," coach Marvin Lewis said. "We have to do a better job of that. We are making first downs, and getting into third down situations and not converting."

Defensively, the team’s perhaps been worse. Jameis Winston and the Bucs’ offense carved the Bengals’ defense on a 14-play drive last weekend, then Cincinnati allowed a 13-play opening drive to Kansas City on Saturday.

“It is a concern because we pride ourselves on not letting people score and they scored this week,” defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. “Thirty points. That’s a lot of points. That’s not something that’s in our resume or in our DNA as a defense, no matter who’s out there.”

The Bengals head to Washington to face Jay Gruden’s Redskins in the third preseason game, also known as the final dress rehearsal. Lewis and the Bengals will hope both first-team units do something to hang their hats on.