Cincinnati’s Conservative Conundrum
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Something, as a Bengals fan, that I try to forget about but still haunts me is “Prime Time Dalton.” These were the games when AndyDalton would step outside of his comfortable 1:00 PM time slot and struggle immensely. For some reason, the Red Rifle would look like some sort of Greek God with precision accuracy if he was near lunchtime, but would turn into a pumpkin anytime the clock was past 4. I truly thought, with our new coach and Joe Burrow at the helm, these calendar related failures were a thing of the past. Yet here we are, unable to escape a new term: “Week 1 Bengals.”
Under Zac Taylor the Bengals are now 1-6 in Week 1, with that one win needing an overtime against a Minnesota Vikings team that would go on to finish the season with an 8-9 record.
Why is this?
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky is happy to place the blame at the feet of the offensive approach.
“I’m going to say the same stuff about the Bengals offense that I’ve said for the last year.” Orlovsky said on Monday “I’m shocked that there was nothing different about this offense. It’s efficient and that’s it. That’s the only thing there…I expected different. I expected something to give me something more than catch-and-throw football. They don’t have tight ends that can block in the running game. The timing of their offense is not good. They play spread out shotgun football and think that they’re going to drive down the field at 15 plays at four yards per catch.”
It’s difficult to disagree with Orlovsky. Cincinnati, despite all of its talent, was in its least creative and least effective form Sunday. They were both too conservative, while at the same time not able to maximize a conservative approach. It’s a rare conundrum to find a team that is pass heavy, but somehow also too conservative in doing so.
In the last two Week 1 games, the Bengals only called a combined 22 carries! In the first 4 weeks of 2023 the team only ran 59 rushing plays. When the offense actually started clicking in the 3rd quarter on Sunday, and it looked like the “Cardiac Cats” were on the verge of another comeback, what was working? The run! Moss was cooking and it was allowing the pass game to open up for a very impressive touchdown drive. The next two drives they ran 8 plays, every single one a pass play, stalled both drives, and lost.
To absolutely no one’s surprise the tight ends were completly underutilized and combined for 5 catches for a lackluster 36 yards. As for the dinking and dunking Orlovsky mentioned, Joey B, a top 2 quarterback in the NFL, and Ja’Marr Chase, a top 3 receiver, combined for a longest play of the day of 28 yards. 28!!! Burrow has one of the best cannons in the league, and is on record as saying “F it, Jamarr’s down there somewhere!” yet the offense was playing it conservative with the pass while not supporting the pass with the run.
It was all basic, predictable, and easily beatable, even for a first time head coach with no star talent and a journeyman quarterback.
Orlovsky didn’t use the name, but this all clearly sits on Zac Taylor and his staff.
I know to tread lightly because there are still MANY Bengals fans who think Taylor can do no wrong. All week you will hear the refrain of “it’s okay we aways. start slow.” Is it ok, though? Does this not feel a little different this year than years past? Joe Burrow came into the season completely healthy for the first time in years and Cincinnati just lost to the team many thought would be the worst in the NFL this season.
Yes, this was “Week One Bengals,” but it’s time to stop accepting and start asking why it happened. It’s time to actually commit to the run and llet it support the pass. Orlovsky sees it and it’s time the team does too. Here’s to hoping they see it quick, because week 2 in Kansas City has all of a sudden become a potential season defining matchup. Its time to start a new trend.
Who Dey “Week 2 Bengals”
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