The Bengals’ Rushing Attack (Or Lack Thereof)

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Running the ball to move the chains and sustain long drives is more important in the AFC North than in any division in the NFL. It gets cold and slick in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh so it makes sense to run under these conditions as well as when the opposing defense has a credible pass rush — which all of the AFC North teams currently do.

Why then does Cincinnati stand alone in then AFC North with a less than average run game? Yesterday frustrated me immensely watching Joe Mixon get stuffed at the goal line TWICE. 31/32 teams have the push from the offensive line to score from the one yard line. Why not the Bengals?

Yes, I know the NFL is primary a passing league now but sometimes one has to impose one’s will via either side A-gap.

[Nicomo Cosca]

(10-09-2023, 01:22 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Running the ball to move the chains and sustain long drives is more important in the AFC North than in any division in the NFL. It gets cold and slick in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh so it makes sense to run under these conditions as well as when the opposing defense has a credible pass rush — which all of the AFC North teams currently do.

Why then does Cincinnati stand alone in then AFC North with a less than average run game? Yesterday frustrated me immensely watching Joe Mixon get stuffed at the goal line TWICE. 31/32 teams have the push from the offensive line to score from the one yard line. Why not the Bengals?

Yes, I know the NFL is primary a passing league now but sometimes one has to impose one’s will via either side A-gap.

They don’t stand alone. Pittsburgh has no running game either.

[*ochocincos*]

(10-09-2023, 01:22 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Running the ball to move the chains and sustain long drives is more important in the AFC North than in any division in the NFL. It gets cold and slick in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh so it makes sense to run under these conditions as well as when the opposing defense has a credible pass rush — which all of the AFC North teams currently do.

Why then does Cincinnati stand alone in then AFC North with a less than average run game?  Yesterday frustrated me immensely watching Joe Mixon get stuffed at the goal line TWICE.  31/32 teams have the push from the offensive line to score from the one yard line.  Why not the Bengals?

Yes, I know the NFL is primary a passing league now but sometimes one has to impose one’s will via either side A-gap.

Because prior to Taylor coming into his HC role, he was just a passing game coordinator and QB coach.
Because Callahan prior to coming into his OC role was a QB coach.
Frank Pollack had only just been OL coach, not a run game coordinator or OC.

So, IMO, you have a collection of guys with a lack of experience with building an effective run game.
Maybe they could get the RB coach, Justin Hill, more involved in the running game to get it more effective?

[Joelist]

When you play out of shotgun and don't really have a jumbo package these kinds of problems result. Plus we have a line whose players are all Power Gap but a scheme that keeps trying to be wide zone. This happens every year where we have to change the scheme during the year. I'm not in the "fire Pollack" club but he is a disciple of wide zone and maybe with these linemen we need to go find a power gap specialist coach.

[wildcatnku24]

I also would like to see a better run game, but I do wonder how much of this year has simply been playing behind vs. schematic issue.

I also would really like to start seeing if Chase Brown can get in there. After Trayveon's mental hiccup that really pissed off Burrow, I feel like it could work out.

[WeezyBengal]

Some people just can't get it through their heads that we aren't a running team. This team doesn't care to have an above average running game. They just don't. It's not important to them.

They have an elite processing QB who you want the offense to flow through. I'd rather put the ball in Burrow's hands on 4th and 1 than give the ball to a running back.

Give me an elite QB throwing the ball 50 plus times a game any day over being stuck in the Browns "AFC North" style offense where they give the ball to Nick Chubb 30 times a game and slowly "grind teams down".

Having an elite passing attack is 100% more valuable. The run game is good enough, they are just missing depth and speed.

[Frank Booth]

(10-09-2023, 02:58 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Some people just can't get it through their heads that we aren't a running team. This team doesn't care to have an above average running game. They just don't. It's not important to them.

They have an elite processing QB who you want the offense to flow through. I'd rather put the ball in Burrow's hands on 4th and 1 than give the ball to a running back.

Give me an elite QB throwing the ball 50 plus times a game any day over being stuck in the Browns "AFC North" style offense where they give the ball to Nick Chubb 30 times a game and slowly "grind teams down".

Having an elite passing attack is 100% more valuable. The run game is good enough, they are just missing depth and speed.

You have to be willfully ignorant to think consistently finishing bottom 10 and 5 in YPA is not a big deal and doesn’t hurt this team.

For the 100th time, it’s not about more attempts, it’s about better efficiency. Because when the pass game isn’t working, the run game certainly isn’t helping carry the rest of the load.

Look at the chiefs. Yes they should and do throw the ball a bunch. But when they want to run it, they do it very well and efficient. Much more efficient than cincinnati

The answer to help this offense isn’t more weapons and more speed outside, it’s about not having a run game that is constantly one of the worst in the league in terms of efficiency

[Destro]

I mentioned in the GD thread about the days where we had Peko lead blocking. The defenders are meeting the RBs in the backfield as they blow past the O-Line. Being we are in shotgun, they see where he has the ball before he gets anywhere near the LOS. Maybe a big nasty to lead block may help in those short situation.

[SunsetBengal]

(10-09-2023, 02:58 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Some people just can't get it through their heads that we aren't a running team. This team doesn't care to have an above average running game. They just don't. It's not important to them.

They have an elite processing QB who you want the offense to flow through. I'd rather put the ball in Burrow's hands on 4th and 1 than give the ball to a running back.

Give me an elite QB throwing the ball 50 plus times a game any day over being stuck in the Browns "AFC North" style offense where they give the ball to Nick Chubb 30 times a game and slowly "grind teams down".

Having an elite passing attack is 100% more valuable. The run game is good enough, they are just missing depth and speed.

Idk, it sure seemed like they wanted to assert some dominance by attempting run the ball in twice, in goal line.  The problem is that it just blew up in their faces because they were doing it from the shotgun formation. Lastly, if they insist on running the ball from shotgun in short yardage situations; Mixon needs to be lined up on whichever side they are attempting to A gap, has to be a bang-bang, quick hitter, otherwise defense has time to get too many bodies in the pile.

[Frank Booth]

(10-09-2023, 03:51 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Idk, it sure seemed like they wanted to assert some dominance by attempting run the ball in twice, in goal line.  The problem is that it just blew up in their faces because they were doing it from the shotgun formation. Lastly, if they insist on running the ball from shotgun in short yardage situations; Mixon needs to be lined up on whichever side they are attempting to A gap, has to be a bang-bang, quick hitter, otherwise defense has time to get too many bodies in the pile.

You have to be able to run the ball when called upon. Weezy thinks it doesn’t matter. It’s been the weak spot of this offense since burrow has been here, and people still think it doesn’t matter. This team cannot lean on the run game if their life depended on it. That’s a problem. Especially when Burrow is gimpy

[WeezyBengal]

(10-09-2023, 03:56 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: You have to be able to run the ball when called upon. Weezy thinks it doesn’t matter. It’s been the weak spot of this offense since burrow has been here, and people still think it doesn’t matter. This team cannot lean on the run game if their life depended on it. That’s a problem. Especially when Burrow is gimpy

I agree with you. 

Guess who the run game coordinator is? Same guy that's in charge of the OL. Is getting rid of him the answer? Is getting a better back or a complimentary one with more speed the answer?  

[RegularGuy22]

(10-09-2023, 03:56 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: You have to be able to run the ball when called upon. Weezy thinks it doesn’t matter. It’s been the weak spot of this offense since burrow has been here, and people still think it doesn’t matter. This team cannot lean on the run game if their life depended on it. That’s a problem. Especially when Burrow is gimpy

Agree with Frank here again. He says this often and it is true. Zac and co. NEED in the worst way a decent run game to compliment JB and his pass game. Doesn't have to be a top 5 run team, a top 15 would do wonders. Make the Defenses respect our run game with more than just Mixon. They have a shifty, fast back in Brown but he isn't part of the offense yet. They only have to prepare for Mixon, we don't show them any new looks with different backs.

With our pass game working AND a decent run game defenses would be forced to look and prep for both. Element of surprise to catch them off guard by just a step could make the difference in a big gain or a 2 yd loss.

[*Synric*]

Joe Burrow is on pace for an insane amount of passing attempts this season.

[Au165]

The 2012 and 2013 Broncos (When Manning got there) were 25th and 20th in Yards per attempt rushing (15th and 16th in yards). I kind of think that is the area we are probably destined to live in in our current offensive mindset.

[Frank Booth]

(10-09-2023, 06:15 PM)Au165 Wrote: The 2012 and 2013 Broncos (When Manning got there) were 25th and 20th in Yards per attempt rushing (15th and 16th in yards). I kind of think that is the area we are probably destined to live in in our current offensive mindset.

yep, thats Callahan. And those 2 teams couldnt win it all

[Au165]

(10-09-2023, 07:07 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: yep, thats Callahan. And those 2 teams couldnt win it all

We were a competent LG away from winning one with this mindset….or a bad PI call pick your poison. Funny enough, the Rams that year 28th in yards per attempt in rushing and 25 in rushing yards as a whole.

In fact, no SB champion since the Patriots Brady’s last year there have been better than 20th in rushing. Almost like competent rushing attacks aren’t what wins Super Bowls in todays NFL. The Chiefs last year were pretty efficient though they just didn’t use it much at all.

You win in todays NFL with elite QB play combined with opportunistic defenses that can either force turnovers or sack the QB. We have had that the last couple years. We need to rediscover a bit of the defensive magic and we will be back on track it feels like.

[chrisball96]

(10-09-2023, 03:51 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Idk, it sure seemed like they wanted to assert some dominance by attempting run the ball in twice, in goal line.  The problem is that it just blew up in their faces because they were doing it from the shotgun formation. Lastly, if they insist on running the ball from shotgun in short yardage situations; Mixon needs to be lined up on whichever side they are attempting to A gap, has to be a bang-bang, quick hitter, otherwise defense has time to get too many bodies in the pile.

I do wonder with Burrow looking better if they don’t start to line them up under center a bit more. That may help the running game a bit, or at least diversify it some, leading to at least a chance to get it going.

[Frank Booth]

(10-09-2023, 09:04 PM)Au165 Wrote: We were a competent LG away from winning one with this mindset….or a bad PI call pick your poison. Funny enough, the Rams that year 28th in yards per attempt in rushing and 25 in rushing yards as a whole.

In fact, no SB champion since the Patriots Brady’s last year there have been better than 20th in rushing. Almost like competent rushing attacks aren’t what wins Super Bowls in todays NFL. The Chiefs last year were pretty efficient though they just didn’t use it much at all.

You win in todays NFL with elite QB play combined with opportunistic defenses that can either force turnovers or sack the QB. We have had that the last couple years. We need to rediscover a bit of the defensive magic and we will be back on track it feels like.

Oh stop with the competent LG crap. Spain was the 2nd best lineman all year on that team. Hopkins, RG, and RT were worse

[Frank Booth]

(10-09-2023, 09:04 PM)Au165 Wrote: We were a competent LG away from winning one with this mindset….or a bad PI call pick your poison. Funny enough, the Rams that year 28th in yards per attempt in rushing and 25 in rushing yards as a whole.

In fact, no SB champion since the Patriots Brady’s last year there have been better than 20th in rushing. Almost like competent rushing attacks aren’t what wins Super Bowls in todays NFL. The Chiefs last year were pretty efficient though they just didn’t use it much at all.

You win in todays NFL with elite QB play combined with opportunistic defenses that can either force turnovers or sack the QB. We have had that the last couple years. We need to rediscover a bit of the defensive magic and we will be back on track it feels like.

Like I said, rushing attempts don’t matter when Burrow is healthy. But the efficiency HAS to improve. The defense isn’t as good this year as it was the previous 2 seasons, so it’s a must that the rushing efficiency improves. Dramatically.

Don’t give me this run game doesn’t matter nonsense lmao how foolish

[RegularGuy22]

I remember last year seeing Perine stiff arm and drag guys for yards. Especially late in the 4th when we had the ball and the lead running the clock down Perine was plowing for 5,6, 8 yds a shot and sometimes more. That's a run game. Old fashioned style, run it down their throat and wear em out. Plus, he was an excellent blocking back for JB.