01-27-2023, 07:05 PM
(01-27-2023, 06:45 PM)phil413 Wrote: Even Taylor acknowledges how aggressive the playcalling has been. Not in terms of going long, but specifically 4th downs. We saw the long sequence at the end last year's regular season game. Then we saw the 4th down that Dunlap stopped this year before half, then Burrow hitting Tee later for a clutch play at the end.
I'm watching the replay now, and Burrow did a sneak on 2nd and 1, possibly the most conservative play call scenario there is in the game. So, with all the talk of having to play almost video game style vs Mahomes, at what point do the Bengals "catch them off guard" by playing conservative?
We hate when we see the offense "play not to lose", but if the running game is working well and the defense continues to play KC well where is the line? If nothing else, KC's D has to be rattled in these scenarios that Cincy has shown them.
Interestingly enough, Cincinnati is one of the most conservative teams in the entire league on 4th downs. Only one team (Saints) attempted fewer 4th down conversions than Cincinnati's 12 and only two teams had a lower 4th down attempt % (4th down attempts divided by total 4th downs).
ZT is not aggressive when it comes to 4th, but he tends to be more aggressive elsewhere. That may not be his choice, necessarily, since Cincinnati is so poor running the ball.
