Dan orlovosky is right about zac!

[*ochocincos*]

(10-23-2024, 07:55 AM)PDub80 Wrote: I don't mind hammering ZT when warranted, but the offense was on a tear the 3 weeks prior. Was anyone banging a drum about the offensive struggles then?

I don't think ZT is an incompetent OC. I think he is an INCONSISTENT OC who lacks confidence in certain areas.

I think Taylor has his strengths and weaknesses as an OC, much like many do.
Taylor has never been overly good with the run game or finding ways to incorporate the TE more/better in the passing game.
We've seen the offense flounder without Higgins to start the season. Teams just doubled/tripled Chase when that happened and the other dudes weren't getting open.
Once Higgins was back, the offense really started to come into itself (again).
Even against the Browns, Chase and Higgins had good games, but no one else from a receiving perspective was really a factor.

While this offense statistically has dropped down from Top 5 to Top 10 after last week, the defense has jumped up from Bottom-5 to 20th.
Part of that obviously has to do with playing a couple really bad teams, but still we've seen the defense look much better these last two weeks with the DL healthy compared to the first five weeks.
If the defense can keep playing like they have been and the offense can get back to what it was a few weeks ago, the Bengals could pull an incredible surprise and actually make the playoffs. It was only like, what, a 2% chance though for teams starting 1-4 historically? Big trend to buck.
These next few games will be crucial.