09-23-2021, 01:04 PM
(09-21-2021, 11:53 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: “We lost but we were close.”
Were we really? No. The eventual margin of victory may have been only a few points but losing close games has been the hallmark of the Bengals’ play since 2016 and it’s even worse under Zac Taylor.
Close games are lost by not converting on third down when on offense and not getting off the field after third down when on defense. The Bengals are horrible on third down on either side of the ball.
The Bengals go for it on fourth down a lot because they’re faced with fourth down a lot. This is due to shoddy play calling which disregards down and distance; just move those chains! Sure, there are times where taking a shot downfield makes sense but not at the expense of giving up possession.
On defense the Bengals allow far too many third down conversions, even from third and ten — or more — situations. Lou Anarumo has the defense tackling better and playing better in general but the third down scheme remains weak. Even on third and long somehow the opponent seems to convert.
Somehow Zac has to find a way to score early and often and put the game out of reach by halftime. Right now nobody on the roster has the confidence of a winner and that’s sad. I watched the Ravens the other night as they came back and beat the Chiefs and on both sides of the ball I saw purpose, energy, and most of all a cohesiveness which is lacking in Cincinnati. Everything Baltimore did looked effortless. The Bengals look like they are working hard but going nowhere.
Definitely agree, especially about losing close games being an indicator of a bad coach. Andy Reid wins close games, Zac Taylor
loses them. On Offense we need to get better on 1st and 2nd down so if we get into 3rd downs a lot they are 3rd and shorts and
are much easier to convert. On Defense we were the first D to make the Bears go 3 and out and the Vikings are very good on O.
Think the D will get it under control. My question is the Offense and if Taylor will either get better and learn or hand the playcalling
over to Brian Callahan which I think NEEDS to happen more than anything.
