Right this ship and head for the ‘ship!
After an ugly Week 1 outing, the Cincinnati Bengals look to get back on track. Surely, the NFL schedule makers have gifted the Bengals with an easy matchup in Week 2…
Nope. It’s the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joe Burrow is 3-1 against Kansas City, but he’s also 0-4 in Week 2, so something’s got to give.
How can the Bengals refocus and get back in the win column?
Stop the Run
I know, “You’re playing Patrick Mahomes, and your first key is to stop the run?”
Counterintuitive, I know, but hear me out. The Patriots controlled the game last week because they could not be stopped in the run game. With Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson injured and D.J. Reader in the motor city, the Bengals’ run defense was a Sieve. The Chiefs have Isiah Pacheco, rookie Carson Steele, who looked fierce in the preseason, and a guy you may recall by the name of Samaje Perine.
This trio could be a real problem if Lou Anarumo can’t figure something out.
Live in 12P
Tight ends Drew Sample and Erick All looked good as blockers, and both have alignment versatility. All showed a certain craftiness that allowed him to get open in college and I am dying to see how that looks in the NFL. Then there is Mike Gesicki, who provides some excitement in the pass game. Two of those three should be on the field the majority of the time. Tyler Boyd ain’t coming through that door. This is a 12 personnel team now.
Find the Mismatch
It’s not looking good for Tee Higgins, but that doesn’t mean the Bengals can’t exploit mismatches with the Chiefs’ defense. After all, they traded their top cornerback, but we still have Ja’Marr Chase. Whether they try to cover him with a linebacker or a defensive back, Gesicki is a walking, talking, griddying mismatch. Chase Brown also provides some mismatch potential out of the backfield.
Then there is, of course, Jermaine Burton. Will the Zac Taylor put the rookie out there and see what he can do? Letting him run a couple of go routes in single coverage opposite Chase is worth a shot.
Start Fast
Please don’t give us any of this three-and-out on each of the first three drives biz-nass. They need to come out of the gates with a scoring drive and get some rhythm offensively. You can’t outrun the champ if you stumble off the blocks.
Win the Turnover Battle
The Bengals lost two fumbles last week, and without either of them, there is a good chance they will win that game. It’s a very simple equation. You want Joe Burrow to have more chances to do something with a drive than Patrick Mahomes does. Possess the football, and when you don’t, take it back.
