Today's Enquirer Article

[*ochocincos*]

(07-28-2015, 09:45 AM)WhoDeyWho Wrote: The discussion was on why the Bengals have been getting blown out in second halves of the 4 playoff games and I found these statistics to be interesting:




http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/07/28/why-have-bengals-been-battered-second-half--playoff-games/30731653/

I've always said it would be helpful if the vaunted defense that seems to be the reason we make the playoffs every year would be able to generate turnovers, which are critical in playoff games.  Especially given how bad we have been in turning the ball over ourselves.  Also, why have we been so reliant on the passing game if they don't trust Dalton?  Is it because they've trusted the running game even less?  

I think part of it is that they didn't trust the run game enough, even though it was working against SD. The run game was more established last year, but with the lack of WR talent, it was almost a no-brainer that it would be wise to focus on defending the run game and force the pass game to take shape.

That leads into my thought that the Bengal OCs the past four years have tried to outsmart the opposition by doing what they felt wasn't expected. If the Bengals are leading at the half, the expectation would be that they would run more in the second half. I definitely noticed that Gruden was guilty of trying to outsmart the opposition by calling pass plays when the expectation is to run (e.g. throwing a 20 yard pass instead of running on 3rd and 2).

I'm hopeful this year that with the return of MLJ and Eifert along with the additions of Moore, Alford, and Kroft, our pass game will be better and open up the run game more. I'll hold off judgement on Jackson's playoff playcalling if/when the Bengals have more legit pass catchers healthy come the playoffs.