Image courtesy of the Bengals.com
The Cincinnati Bengals come into town boasting one of the best offenses in the NFL. Cincinnati is currently 10th in total offense and 6th in passing averaging 262.1 yards per game through the air.
A big reason why the Bengals passing game is so good is their talent. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest of the Cincinnati skill group might just be the best in the league.
Another reason they are so good is their scheme. The Bengals do a great job of using every inch of the field in the passing game. They spread defenses out and throw the ball effectively in their three and five step passing game.
Head Coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan also do a great job creating one on one match ups. They will isolate Chase to get the best possible match up but then they will also put him backside one on one to draw coverage and free up their other skill guys.
The Bengals also do a great job of using formations to create match-ups. Personnel wise, they are a predominantly an 11 personnel team so there isn’t a lot of variation there.
As you will see in the following diagrams, their ability to use formations and match-ups makes their passing game lethal.
Diagrams 1 & 2 Compressed formations: The Bengals do a great job of using compressed formations to get their skill guys into space. Here they run a middle field high low with double out cuts. Burrow can work the middle field read post snap. If he doesn’t like it, he can take his eyes off it and throw either out.
Diagrams 3 & 4: Route blending: The Bengals do a great job of route blending. They utilize man and zone beaters in their passing game concept. Here they are running a spot, crosser concept in the middle of the field with double out cuts to the outside. If Burrow gets loose leverage pre-snap, he can hit either out cut. If he gets a middle of the field open read, he can hit the spot over the middle. Which he does on this play.
Diagram 5: Match-Up Isolations: The Bengals do a great job of moving Ja’Marr Chase around and generating match ups with him. They also do a good job of using him to force the defense to dictate coverage. Here he is on the backside. Teams have either played him in straight up man to man with safety help or they’ve played a loose split coverage to his side. On this play, the Bengals do a great job running a levels concept. Burrow strictly reads front side. He only goes to Chase if he likes the match up pre-snap.
Diagrams 6 & 7: 3-Step passing game a great compliment: The Bengals like to stretch the field vertically in the passing game but they also do a good job of using their three step passing game to complement their five step game. On these two plays against Tampa, they go empty and throw two simple three step concepts. Burrow picks the side he likes pre-snap and goes there on the snap.
The Bengals passing game blends Shanahan, McVay principles with West Coast principles. It is the perfect design for Burrow and this talented skill group. The Patriots will have their hands full today.