12-11-2023, 01:37 PM
Both depths allow for different looks. Going under center provides more flexibility in your run game. You can attack both sides of the line as well as the edges more effectively. In shotgun, you tend to be more limited. However, shotgun runs are typically more efficient. Mixon averages more yards per carry from shotgun than under center, converts more short yardage situations than under center etc. I chalk this up to personnel. It isn't often you see a QB in shotgun with one WR and three tight ends, for example.
Cincinnati needs to incorporate both into their offense and historically, they do. In 2021, Cincinnati went shotgun 62% of the time. In 2022, they went shotgun 78% of the time. This year is a bit of an outlier due to Burrow's injury. Also, just to note but you can run playaction from shotgun and it works just as well. The Bengals are also RPO heavy in the shotgun. They are generating conflict, it isn't missing. However, mixing up the looks can help be more effective.
Cincinnati needs to incorporate both into their offense and historically, they do. In 2021, Cincinnati went shotgun 62% of the time. In 2022, they went shotgun 78% of the time. This year is a bit of an outlier due to Burrow's injury. Also, just to note but you can run playaction from shotgun and it works just as well. The Bengals are also RPO heavy in the shotgun. They are generating conflict, it isn't missing. However, mixing up the looks can help be more effective.
