Bengals Keys: Dominate Trenches
Credit: Albert Cesare - via Imagn Images
The Bengals will face a Harbaugh for a second straight week, as they travel to So-Fi Stadium to take on Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have been playing well of late, with both an efficient offense and stout defense. Justin Herbert has been a much-improved quarterback after a pedestrian start to the year, and the Chargers’ receiver corps of Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have started to hit their strides. The game will be the second consecutive prime-time game for Cincinnati.
How can the Bengals get back on track against the Chargers?
Treat It Like An AFC North Matchup
AFC North matchups are notoriously trench-driven, and this year’s Chargers squad brings a very similar vibe to, say, the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have the NFL’s lowest-scoring defense, and Harbaugh is a coach who famously places an emphasis on pounding the ball. His controversial first draft pick as the Chargers’ head coach, tackle Joe Alt, is paying off big time and sets the tone for this team
Chargers fans…
This is why you drafted Joe Alt.
An immediate top player at one of the most important positions. Aligned with the Chargers philosophy. pic.twitter.com/ZPySkmRrV5
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) September 8, 2024
Alt, son of longtime Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle John Alt, will likely be tasked with containing Trey Hendrickson in the trenches. The Bengals’ pass rush is struggling mightily outside of Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. Generating pressure on Herbert and containing the running back duo of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, both of whom the Bengals are familiar with from their time in Baltimore, will help them stay competitive in this matchup.
While the Bengals rely on flashiness to win, they will have to show the sheer will to win that is often needed in AFC North matchups. On offense, the Chargers have committed the fewest turnovers (four). On defense, the Chargers have allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards (1,724) and yards per attempt (6.5), accumulated the fourth-most sacks (31), and have allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns (three). They have not scored or allowed more than 27 points in a single game this season.
This game won’t be won by the “F*** it, Ja’Marr’s down there somewhere” page in the playbook. It will be won by gutting it out in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Forgive And Forget Khalil Herbert’s Fumble
Boy, oh boy, did the internet have a field day with Khalil Herbert’s first play as a Bengal.
They tried giving Khalil Herbert a touch
He fumbled the exchange 😔 https://t.co/j8LCbpHWFi
— Cam (@CamsNotSober) November 8, 2024
Since then, the running back fell out of favor with fans just as quickly as he was brought in. Mind you, it was only the third fumble of his entire career (and he recovered it!).
Me watching everyone online freak out at Khalil Herbert after one carry pic.twitter.com/vlHQQ1csJK
— Alex Schubert (@alexschubes) November 8, 2024
Herbert was brought into the organization to gain the grind-it-out yards at running back, which was Zack Moss‘ job before his season-ending injury. Beyond that, Herbert was supposed to help in pass protection against a unit with 31 sacks, in addition to being a downhill runner versus a defensive line allowing 4.7 yards per carry (eighth-highest in the league).
The former Chicago Bears running back was thrust quickly into the Bengals’ offense between his trade and Thursday night’s game. Herbert has now had a week and a half to get himself even more familiar with the offense, in addition to gaining an increased rapport with Joe Burrow. The practice reps and increased playing time will help Herbert realize his full potential and his role down the stretch.
In due time, he should easily usurp current RB2 Trayveon Williams on the depth chart, as Williams has yet to log a single carry in 2024.
Keep the Other Herbert Off the Field
The LA Chargers have been exactly the team that Harbaugh has envisioned. They play efficiently, they don’t commit turnovers, and they don’t overly rely on Justin Herbert. It’s not unlike last season’s NCAA Champion Michigan team, where Harbaugh didn’t task quarterback J.J. McCarthy with having to play hero ball constantly. The system works, and the defense and offense have worked hand-in-hand to lift the Chargers to victories.
However, whenever the Chargers’ offense underperforms, they are vulnerable to losses. In every one of the Chargers’ six wins this season, they have scored two or more touchdowns; they’ve found the end zone just once or fewer in all of their losses.
The Bengals, at full strength, are fully capable of stopping the run, which is what Harbaugh’s system loves doing. Preventing the Chargers’ offense from controlling the tempo of the game (which is what teams like the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have done against the 2024 Bengals) will keep Cincinnati’s defense from getting worn out and falling flat on its face.
With Burrow likely getting Tee Higgins back, it will allow the offense to run at its full potential, and that extra weapon will give Cincy’s offense the opportunity to continue drives without having to fully lean on Ja’Marr Chase.
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