We play in the afc north

[Fan_in_Kettering]

The OP is absolutely correct.  Zac Taylor built a team using the NFC West template and that doesn't work in the AFC North.  The LSU playbook doesn't work in the AFC North either.  There are reasons the Ravens and Steelers rule the North:  They run the ball, they don't allow big plays, they rush the passer, they play aggressively in the secondary, and they stop the run.  The Bengals do none of those things and go to the air far too often.