11-01-2017, 07:12 PM
(11-01-2017, 06:09 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Well, after going over all 7 of their games with a fine tooth comb, I can confidently say this is how you beat the Jags:
1. Stop/slow their run game and force Bortles to beat you. (duh)
2. Beat their defense with the run. If you get behind and have to pass, you're toast.
The Titans, Rams and Jets all beat the Jags because they ran it down their throats and slowed Fournette. Nobody has beaten them yet with a big game from their QB. In fact, the Jags have far and away the best pass defense in the league, allowing an abysmal 62.3 passer rating to opponents. For comparison, our defense is the 2nd best in the league, allowing an 81.2 passer rating. On top of this, the Jags are 1st in sacks.
In short, this is a nightmare game - on the road - for Dalton. Especially with this o-line.
However, the Jags are 26th in rush yards allowed and dead last in yards per carry allowed.
Translation: We need to run, run and run some more. It will be interesting to see if our 30th ranked rush offense (both in yards and YPC) can bring anything against the worst rush defense in the league. It's like the very stoppable force against the very movable object.
The good news is that our defense - despite the poor game against old man Gore - is still ranked 11th in yards per carry allowed. They're capable of slowing Fournette, and if they do, they'll eat Bortles alive. So much depends on our run game being able to carry the offense (how often does that ever happen for us?), and giving our defense a breather so they can keep up against Fournette.
Thoughts?
This game may show how smart or not so smart Lazor and Dalton are.
From what I understand, Dalton can go to the line and call for runs or pass plays based on how many defenders are lined up & where.
As you imply, we need to run the ball a lot and Jacksonville may show fronts that make Dalton &/or Lazor start passing too often.
The Bengals need to focus on possessions and staying within a possession or two of Jacksonville & not get pass happy.
May even want to run right into those anti-run fronts more often than they normally would to avoid passing turnovers & sacks.
Then play action can work much better when passing less often. Jag players start expecting runs.
Being down say 12 points is only 2 possessions and abandoning the run when down a possession or two may play into Jacksonville's hands.
Play a Field position game that avoids sacks and turnovers by running the ball 2/3 of the time.
If Lazor or Dalton get away from this formula I think we are toast.
