The tale of two halves!

[TheBengalsMind]

So, as a lot of you know the Bengals offense has been plagued having played better in the first half then the second half.

I've been trying to figure out what would be the biggest factor in all of this. Is it playcalling? Is it Dalton? Is it the running game? Is it halftime adjustments?

What's plaguing the Bengals offense?

I decided to look at the running game, but the running game has remained consistent throughout each half.

The Bengals have 82 rushes for 358 yards, at 4.4 yards a carry and 5 TD's in the first half and 87 rushes for 384 yards, at 4.4 yards per carry and 2 TD's in the 2nd half.

So, the running game has remained consistent. Although the Bengals would surely have more yards if not for injuries to Mixon and Bernard this year.

Just through observation the game calling has remained consistent for the most part throughout the games.

Now, you could surmise that maybe we need to shake things up a little bit more in the second half. I think that is at least a fair criticism.

However, the most overwhelming reason for the second half struggles? Has been the passing game, but the culprit isn't necessarily the play of Dalton.

It's the offensive lines play.

Dalton has received his best protection in the 2nd quarter overall this year and his numbers are quite literally outstanding!

In 2nd quarter play this season Dalton is 60 of 88, good for a 68.2 completion percentage, for 602 yards and 9 TD's. He has a QB rating of 121.5 and has thrown zero interceptions.

Dalton has only been sacked 3 times in the first half of games this season. He's been sacked 13 times in the second half, meaning he is 4 times more likely to get sacked and hit in the second half then during the first half.

In 2nd half play Dalton is 85 of 137, good for 62 completion percentage, for 779 yards. He's thrown 4 TD's and 5 interceptions for a QB rating of 72.0.

Surprisingly, Dalton has been able to achieve most of his 2nd half yards late in the 4th quarter when the team has had to have them. Despite the fact that the offense has looked anemic, at times, to those points in the 2nd half.

The offense line has been much improved, but they have lacked discipline at times this year. They have had a number of costly penalties in the 2nd half and have put the offense in 3rd and long situations.

Obviously, they aren't to blame alone. However, I feel that this is the biggest factor in the Cincinnati Bengals becoming more consistent on offense in the 2nd half of this season.