Why the Bengals' offense is poised to be the best in the NFL over the next few weeks
After a slow start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be hitting their stride offensively after scoring 30 points in a win against the New Orleans Saints this past weekend. Cincinnati started using more RPOs to give the offense a jumpstart. It's not a surprise that the RPOs worked considering they were a […]
After a slow start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be hitting their stride offensively after scoring 30 points in a win against the New Orleans Saints this past weekend.
Cincinnati started using more RPOs to give the offense a jumpstart.
It's not a surprise that the RPOs worked considering they were a big part of why Joe Burrow excelled at LSU in 2019 during his record-setting season.
One of the reasons the Bengals have struggled early this season is because of the deep zone defenses that teams are playing against Cincinnati.
The RPOs provide a way to beat those defenses.
Here's a great explanation from former Bengals assistant coach Kyle Caskey on how the RPOs help the offense.
The higher usage of RPOs isn't the sole reason why I think the Bengals' offense is about to take off in a big way. But it's part of the equation.
All Cincinnati needed was a way to throw opposing defenses off. They had to prove that they could make teams pay for playing deep zone coverages. The RPOs will do that.
And as a result, we should see teams start bringing more pressure against Burrow — which is when he's at his best.
For now, Burrow is one of the least-blitzed quarterbacks in the NFL. But that will change as he shows he can make teams pay for their soft coverages.
And once Burrow starts seeing man coverages and blitzes again, that's when the offense is really going to come to life and show the explosive traits we saw in 2021.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
