Defense wins Championships

[Shake n Blake]

(10-11-2017, 04:52 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Bengals limited by their offensive rankings.
19th in pass yards per game (227)
28th in rush yards per game (84)
23rd in total yards per game (311)
27th in points per game (16.8)

However, we should probably just consider the Lazor era only, which would be the last 3 games...
pass yards per game = 275.3
rush yards per game = 87
total yards per game = 362.3
points per game = 22.7 (I took out the points scored by the pick 6 against GB, so actually this number would be higher if going off pure PPG not just offensive PPG)

If we had those same averages across the entire season, the Bengals would be ranked....
PYPG = 5th
RYPG = 27th
TYPG = 9th
PPG = 14th

So yea, the running game definitely needs to get going but the passing game has improved a ton. Since Lazor became OC, the Bengals have had a top-10 aerial attack and middle-of-the-pack scoring. That's (much) better than I expected for this season with Zampese as OC. Worth mentioning too that these passing numbers are not inflated from the Bengals having to play catch-up either. They are while leading a vast majority during the last 3 games.

It's also worth noting that we're 31st in yards per carry. This is shaping up to be the worst rushing "attack" in Bengals history.

With a trio of 2nd round talents at RB. Are they all flops?

(10-12-2017, 10:43 AM)PhilHos Wrote: How about we just call more run plays that use the FB? Hewitt may not be Lorenzo Neal, but dude's a good blocker. He's also a decent pass catcher so we can still call pass plays from the same formations he'd be in on. I'm not saying using him will fix our rushing offense, but it surely will help, right?

Seems simple enough. Hewitt can catch, too...so it seems like it wouldn't limit the options in the pass game either. Throw him in as a FB, and motion him to TE or even the slot if you want to pass. Move him around.

To the OP: Our defense is obviously playing at a SB level right now. The offense under Lazor has been more than good enough. It's just a matter of making the playoffs and this team being able to maintain that level of play in the playoffs. I somehow think that even if we make the playoffs, everyone's play will crater inexplicably.