The Offense

[*SHRacerX*]

(09-27-2021, 09:23 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Look, I'm happier than hell just like all of you that we won Sunday...but let's talk about the offense.

I'm still concerned. We are lucky that our defense turned over the Steelers and gave the offense really good field positioning Sunday because we couldn't move the ball for shit otherwise.

Is it just me, or does this offense perform BETTER when they are up against the clock and playing more up tempo? You saw it at the end of the Bears game and you saw it this week right before halftime with a minute left. I truly think we need to open it up and just cut them loose. Now I know there are a lot of variables to this (trying to protect Joe, trying to be a "running team", etc) but airing it out IS our identity. It's like we keep running away from it and trying to make it something it's not (being a running team).

I hope I'm not coming off as a downer after a big/fun win but I just think this offense still leaves a lot to be desired of and I think it can be taken to a whole new level with the skill players we have.

I think right now the positive about the offense is they are being efficient.  Joe got 5 YPC.  Burrow had 9 YPA.  They scored 24 points really in three quarters and then tried to play kill the clock.  I was actually glad they sort of took the foot off the gas (I know that is contrary to everything I usually say) because with the short week, I wanted Mixon to get some rest and have the team healthy.

I was hoping they would go two TE with an extra OT and just pound the ball with Perine once they got up 24-7.  When I saw empty, I was like:  "WTH?", and a near INT the first snap and almost no time off the clock made me really wonder about the plan there, but the defense stayed focused and didn't give the pig and room to catch up.

I think that play where Burrow called his own number was very significant.  Teams will have to account for him.  The scramble on 3rd and 10 where he avoided a sack seemed to give him the confidence in his leg (he said as much in his pressor) and I feel like that was a huge "turn the page" game for him.

If they can take care of business against the Jags, they will be 3-1 at the quarter pole (although 17 games kind of ruins the even quarters, but I digress).  This is the part of the schedule where they need to get these wins.  It won't get any easier.  

This young team is starting to believe and it could be a really fun season.  You are right, though, the offense isn't quite there yet, but they are showing signs of improvement, and that is a good thing.