Is it just me, or is all the intrigue around this week’s snap counts on the defensive side of the ball?
Let’s start with the question that is on everyone’s mind.
“Why is it that every time I look up, I see Joseph Ossai in coverage?”
The answer is in the snaps.
The Bengals’ defense was on the field for 62 defensive snaps, and defensive tackles took a total of 167 snaps. That averages out to 2.7 defensive tackles on the field per play. While I am not here to debate the existence of fractional defenders (although I am sure Rex Ryan has considered it), this number shows that more often than not, the Bengals had three defensive tackles on the field.
Why? Because, like they did with Lou Anarumo in the past, the Bengals are running an odd defensive front. It is essentially a 3-4 defense, but the team uses five defensive linemen instead.
T.J. Slaton (50), B.J. Hill (46), and Kris Jenkins (41) all got starter reps at defensive tackle, with Mike Pennel (20) getting a significant amount, and McKinnley Jackson (6) also participating.
The starter reps at defensive end were lower than those of the top three defensive tackles. Joseph Ossai’s 38 snaps narrowly edged out Trey Hendrickson’s 37. This step back was a positive for Hendrickson, who has been taking far too many reps.
Cam Sample (20) and Myles Murphy (13) were role players who made their presence known with five combined tackles.
Logan Wilson took every snap at linebacker, while rookies Demetrius Knight (36) and Barrett Carter (33) essentially split time. Oren Burks rounded out the group with 13 reps of his own.
The added beef on the field led to fewer defensive backs. Dax Hill and D.J. Turner played every down at cornerback. Cam Taylor-Britt only played about a third of snaps (22), and Josh Newton only played 3 defensive snaps.
Safety Jordan Battle is another member of the every snap club, while Geno Stone came out on the goal line and was six snaps short of his mate.
The Bengals personnel show their commitment to stopping the run, and Sample and Ossai attempting to cover tight ends and make open field tackles is the price they paid for that commitment.
See More:
